Here are the best breweries in Massachusetts

This summer, you may have a few activities to check off your list: visit a farmers’ market, head out to the beach, and meet a couple of friends at a brewery. And let’s be real, you probably already have your favorite spot for local beer. Massachusetts is home to over 200 breweries, according to the Massachusetts Brewers Guild, featuring quality drinks, beautiful scenes, and good food.

We wanted to know what you thought were the best breweries in the state, and over 500 readers responded. Tree House Brewing Company, known for its sprawling Charlton campus, among other locations, took the first place title, claiming 32% of the vote. Many readers enjoy drinking the Julius, an IPA with citrus flavors, and they mentioned that the hiking trails complete the experience. We asked CEO Nate Lanier what makes the beverages so refreshing and enjoyable, and he told us about how unique they are.

“The beer brewed at Tree House is a pure expression of the individuals who design and brew the beer, like a brush stroke or singing voice, so by nature it’s nearly impossible to replicate,” Lanier wrote in an email to Boston.com.

Below, find our guide to the top breweries in Massachusetts for 2023, featuring the top five spots, an interactive map, and list of all 91 spots to visit, according to readers.

Where to find the best breweries in Massachusetts 2023, according to readers:

A 🍺 means that this brewery was ranked among the top five in both 2023 and 2022.

5. Notch Brewing

When you’re looking for a waterfront experience, think of visiting Notch Brewing in Salem, but their Brighton location, similarly designed in the style of a Czech and German beer hall, is a great destination for Boston locals. Notch is known for their traditional lagers, which typically have modest alcohol. Reader Ben K. from South Boston said, “They shy away from the too trendy, almost cliche, oversaturated IPA market, which sometimes feels like an arms race between breweries like Trillium and Tree House. Instead, they focus on central European beers — like from Bavaria, [the] Czech [Republic], Poland, and the like. It’s a fresh take and fills a massive hole in the craft beer market. These are less hop forward, more malty, and in my opinion, the best in the world!” Notch Brewing took 3% of the vote.

Readers love: German Afternoons, crisp, dry, and hoppy.

Multiple locations

4. Vitamin Sea Brewing

Vitamin Sea originated when founder Dino Funari and friends began brewing in a basement, and it’s taken off since then, having officially launched in 2019. Visit their South Shore taproom, and settle into a German beer hall atmosphere, in a space that also borrows industrial design features. You’ll be able to sample New England IPAs like the Amity Means Friendship and the Wave Hunter, while they currently also have a variety of hard seltzers on tap (also: be sure to check out their slushies). Food trucks such as Bone & Bread and Meat & Cheese Project are known to be at the Weymouth location, while Vitamin Sea also is operating a pop-up beer garden on Athenaeum Street in Kendall Square. A new taproom and kitchen will be opening later this summer, close to Cape Cod. Readers like Eric from Canton said they offer “great beer at a great price. Vitamin Sea has the quality of the other breweries mentioned without the crazy prices.” Vitamin Sea earned 3% of the vote.

Readers love: Any IPA, like Double Summer or Peninsula.

Multiple locations

3. Hopothecary Ales Brewery and Kitchen

You’ll want to try what the team is crafting at Hopothecary Ales in North Reading. Just opened in 2021, the brewery features drinks that are inspired by apothecaries or medicine, since co-founder Steve Gabardi is a pharmacist by trade. Their 180-seat space includes two bars, a dining room, a patio, arcade games, and an area where you can view and take in the brewing process. Their menu boasts a range of beers, from ones that are “easy drinking,” to fruit flavored ones (such as the pineapple coconut, a milkshake IPA from their Soda Jerk series), and malty and dark beverages. Bites include burgers on brioche buns, BBQ burnt ends mac and cheese, pizza, and Thai chicken lettuce wraps. An anonymous reader told us that they enjoy Hopothecary Ales because of the “great beers, full sit down food menu, full liquor selection, and family friendly! Even have skeeball! Hopothecary Ales has something for everyone!” They took 3% of the vote.

Readers love: Elixir, with flavors of candied orange, stone fruits, and dark resinous notes.

303 Main St., North Reading

2. Trillium Brewing Company 🍺

These days, it’s hard not to find a Trillium near you. The brewery has locations in Canton, Fort Point, and the Fenway, as well as two beer gardens: one opened recently on Boston Common and features a performance venue, while they have another spot on the Greenway, joined by seasonal food trucks. At the Canton location where Trillium is headquartered, they specialize in wood fired pizza and barbecue. Readers named beers like the different Daily Servings, which start with a basis of a German-style beer called the Berliner Weisse, then focus on fruits, as favorites. Founder JC Tetreault said that the Fort Point pale ale is also a classic. “It was named after the neighborhood where our original brewery is located,” he said. “It’s focused on the Citra hop. As I was developing the recipes for the standard beers that Trillium would offer, Citra was really that hop that absolutely everybody loved.” Trillium took 10% of the vote.

Reader Andrew T. from Canton said, “Their beer is fantastic, but their Canton location expansion has made the place a great place to meet up with friends and eat some delicious food.”

Readers love: Daily Serving, with flavors of passionfruit, orange peel, and guava, or a pale ale like Fort Point.

Multiple locations

1. Tree House Brewing Company 🍺

If you live in New England, you undoubtedly know that Tree House Brewing Company has something of a following in the region. At their primary location in Charlton, or “the mothership,” according to a representative, you’ll find additional features like hiking trails and a pavilion where you can experience live performances. In Tewksbury, Tree House recently opened a golf course and main club house. The Deerfield destination in Western Massachusetts is home to a full size “Summer Stage” where musical acts entertain audiences. Finally, Tree House also owns spots in Sandwich and Woodstock, Connecticut. CEO Nate Lanier said that the outcome of the beers is more important to the company than process efficiencies, and “the same people who designed and created our beers still have a hands-on process in their creation today.” Readers mentioned that they enjoy drinking the Julius, and Lanier told us a little bit about why that might be. “Julius is popular because it is incredibly flavorful, easy to drink, and consistent,” Lanier wrote to Boston.com. “It is a one-of-a-kind beer that sparked a craft beer revolution, and in spite of multiple attempts, it has never been replicated.”

Reader Nicholaus L. from Hopkinton said, “I feel that they have mastered the New England IPA style with the super juicy and hazy characteristics. They have a great outdoor space with bands, food trucks, etc. in Charlton, MA, but have expanded to the Cape, along the ocean, and to several others. So for beer that you can only buy at their locations, there sure are a lot of locations to choose from at this point.”

Readers love: Julius, bright and juicy, or Green, a tropical heavy IPA.

Multiple locations

Honorable Mentions 🏅

Widowmaker Brewing Co.: The popular brewing company will be opening a new taproom and kitchen in Brighton by late August. Readers enjoy the Blue Comet, which has a tropical fruit nose and “soft, biscuit, malt character.” Multiple locations

Readers say: “Consistently pushing the boundaries of what is possible!” —Ron, Boston

Greater Good Imperial Brewing Company: Known for its big, bold beers, Greater Good produces beverages with hand selected hops from locations ranging from Oregon to New Zealand. 55 Millbrook St., Worcester

Readers say: “I’ve been going here since 2017, and my favorite thing is my familiarity with the staff there. They always make us feel welcome.” —Jeff M., Leominster

Cisco Brewers: With locations in Nantucket, the Seaport, and beyond, Cisco Brewers offers beers like the Wandering Haze and the Grey Lady. Visit one of their spots, and let the conversation flow. Multiple locations

Readers say: “Atmosphere. It’s the place to go before the beach or after the beach.” —Jim A., Wrentham

Here are all the reader-recommended breweries in Massachusetts (2023):

• 7th Wave Brewing, 120 N Meadows Rd., Medfield
• Abandoned Building Brewery, 142 Pleasant St. #103a, Easthampton
• Aeronaut Brewing Company, 14 Tyler St., Somerville (Multiple locations)
• Angle Tree Brewery, 45 Elm St., North Attleborough
• Aquatic Brewing, 661 Main St., Falmouth
• Barrel House Z, 95 Woodrock Rd., Weymouth
• Bay State Brewing Company, 112 Harding St., Worcester
• BearMoose Brewing Company, 1934 Revere Beach Parkway, Everett
• Bent Water Brewing Company, 180 Commercial St., Unit 18, Lynn
• Berkshire Brewing Company, 12 Railroad St., South Deerfield
• Bog Iron Brewing, 33 W Main St., Norton
• Bone Up Brewing Co., 38 Norman St., Everett
• Break Rock Brewing, 534 Victory Rd., Quincy
• Brew Practitioners Brewery and Taproom, 45 Baldwin St., East Longmeadow
• Brick and Feather Brewery, 78 11th St., Turners Falls
• Brockton Beer Company, 121 Main St., Brockton
• Buzzards Bay Brewing, 98 Horseneck Rd., Westport
• Cambridge Brewing Company, 1 Kendall Square Bldg. 100, Cambridge
• Canned Heat Craft Beer Company, 52 Ferry St., Fall River
• Cape Cod Beer, 1336 Phinneys Ln., Hyannis
• Castle Island Brewing Co., 10 Old Colony Ave., Boston (Multiple locations)
• Cisco Brewers, 5 Bartlett Farm Rd., Nantucket (Multiple locations)
• Coastal Mass. Brewing, 95 Rantoul St., Beverly
• Cold Harbor Brewing, 108 Milk St. #6, Westborough
• CraftRoots Brewing, 4 Industrial Rd., Milford
• Democracy Brewing, 35 Temple Pl., Boston (Multiple locations)
• Devil’s Purse Brewing Company, 120 Great Western Rd., South Dennis
• Dirigible Brewing Company, 24 Porter Rd., Littleton
• Distraction Brewing Co., 2 Belgrade Ave., Roslindale
• Dorchester Brewing Company, 1250 Massachusetts Ave., Boston
• East Regiment Beer Company, 30 Church St., Salem
• Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing Company, 81 Morton St., Framingham
• Faces Brewing Co., 50 Pleasant St., Malden
• Flying Dreams Brewing, 277 Main St., Marlborough
• Gentile Brewing Company, 59 Park St., Unit 1, Beverly
• Great Marsh Brewing Company, 99 Main St., Essex
• Greater Good Imperial Brewing Company, 55 Millbrook St., Worcester
• Harpoon Brewery, 306 Northern Ave., Boston (Multiple locations)
• Honest Weight Artisan Beer, 131 W Main St. #104, Orange
• Hopothecary Ales Brewery and Kitchen, 303 Main St., North Reading
• Idle Hands Craft Ales, 89 Commercial St., Malden
• Ipswich Ale Brewery, 2 Soffron Ln., Ipswich
• Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers, 100 Clinton St., Framingham
• Lamplighter Brewing Co., 284 Broadway, Cambridge (Multiple locations)
• LlamaNama Beer Labs, 49 Cordage Park Circle, Plymouth
• Lord Hobo, 2 Drydock Ave., Boston (Multiple locations)
• Lost Shoe Brewing and Roasting Company, 19 Weed St., Marlborough
• Lost Towns Brewing, 483 Main St., Gilbertville
• Mayflower Brewing Company, 12 Resnik Rd., Plymouth (Multiple locations)
• Medford Brewing Company, 30 Harvard Ave., Medford
• Medusa Brewing Company, 111 Main St., Hudson
• Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co., 411 Waverley Oaks Rd., Waltham
• Mill 77 Brewing, 77 Elm St., Amesbury
• Modest Roots Brewing Co., 3 Industrial Way, Unit A-2, Tyngsborough
• Naukabout Brewing Company, 13 Lake Ave., Mashpee (Multiple locations)
• Newburyport Brewing Company, 4 New Pasture Rd., Newburyport
• Night Shift Brewing, 1 Lovejoy Wharf, Boston (Multiple locations)
• Notch Brewing, 525 Western Ave., Brighton (Multiple locations)
• Oak & Iron Brewing Co., 18 Red Spring Rd., Andover
• Oakholm Brewing Company, 80 Lake Rd., Brookfield
• Offshore Ale Company, 30 Kennebec Ave., Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard
• Portico Brewing, 101 South St., Somerville
• Purgatory Beer Co., 670 Linwood Ave., Whitinsville
• Rapscallion Brewery, 8 Meadow Rd., Spencer (Multiple locations)

• Remnant Brewing, 2 Bow Market Way, Somerville 
• River Styx Brewing, 166 Boulder Drive, Suite 112, Fitchburg
• RiverWalk Brewing Co., 40 Parker St., Newburyport
• Roundhead Brewing Company, Westinghouse Plaza Building #10, Hyde Park
• Rushford & Sons Brewhouse, 8 Grove St., Upton
• Second Wind Brewing Company, 7 Howland St., Plymouth (Multiple locations)
• Seven Saws Brewing Company, 1148 Main St., Holden (Multiple locations)
• Shovel Town Brewery, 50 Oliver St., North Easton
• Skyroc Brewery, 11 Riverbank Rd., Attleboro
• Start Line Brewing Co., 151R Hayden Rowe St., Hopkinton
• Stellwagen Beer Company, 100 Enterprise Dr., Marshfield
• Sterling Street Brewery, 175 Sterling St., Clinton
• Stone Cow Brewery, 500 West St., Barre
• Tackle Box Brewing Company, 416 Boston Post Rd. E, Marlborough
• Tree House Brewing Company, 129 Sturbridge Rd., Charlton (Multiple locations)
• Trillium Brewing Company, 50 Thomson Pl., Boston (Multiple locations)
• True North Ale Company, 116 County Rd., Ipswich
• Turtle Swamp Brewing, 3377 Washington St., Boston
• Twisted Fate Brewing, 120 Andover St., Suite 4, Danvers
• Untold Brewing, 6 Old Country Way, Scituate (Multiple locations)
• Vanished Valley Brewing, 782 Center St., Ludlow
• Vitamin Sea Brewing, 30 Moore Rd., Weymouth (Multiple locations)
• Wachusett Brewing Company, 175 State Rd. E, Westminster (Multiple locations)
• White Lion Brewing Company, Tower Square, 1500 Main St., Springfield (Multiple locations)
• Widowmaker Brewing Co., 220 Wood Rd., Braintree (Multiple locations)
• Winter Hill Brewing Company, 328 Broadway, Somerville
• Wormtown Brewery, 72 Shrewsbury St., Worcester (Multiple locations)