IPAs, lagers, in-house coffeecambridgeMon 11:00-22:00, Tue-Sat 11:00-24:00, Sun 11:00-22:00
Lamplighter on Broadway Cambridge has run a craft brewery and in-house coffee shop in Boston since 2016. Two Cambridge taprooms; the Broadway location is the original with the coffee bar.
Tip: The coffee bar inside the brewery is the city's only beer-and-pour-over counter. Pet-friendly; food trucks rotate Friday and Saturday nights.
Hazy IPAs, lagers, farmhouse alesseaport-fort-pointMon-Thu 12:00-23:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-23:00, Sun 11:00-22:00
Trillium on Thomson Place is Fort Point's three-storey taproom, brewpub and rooftop in Boston since 2018. Hazy IPAs the speciality; New England farmhouse-style menu pairs the beer.
Tip: Third-floor roof terrace fills by 17:00 in summer. The kitchen serves a long menu; the chicken sandwich is the under-ordered plate.
IPAs, lagers, seasonal craftseaport-fort-pointDaily 11:30-22:00
Harpoon Brewery on Northern Avenue in Boston's Seaport since 1986 holds Massachusetts brewing licence number 001. The Beer Hall pours every Harpoon release; brewery tours daily.
Tip: Saturday tour at 13:00 includes four pours and the brewery floor. The hot pretzel is the kitchen signature.
Lagers, ales, the Boston Beer Company rangejamaica-plainMon-Thu 12:00-21:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-21:00, Sun 12:00-19:00
Samuel Adams Boston Brewery on Germania Street in Jamaica Plain since 1988 is the Boston Beer Company's flagship pilot brewery. Boston Lager tours, the Hall of Recreated Recipes, full taproom.
Tip: Free tour daily; book online to reserve a slot. Take the Orange Line to Stony Brook station; the brewery is a five-minute walk.
Saisons, sours, IPAs, the Saturday food marketsomervilleMon-Thu 17:00-23:30, Fri-Sat 12:00-24:30, Sun 12:00-22:00
Aeronaut on Tyler Street in Union Square Somerville has run a science-themed craft brewery in Boston since 2014. Saturday Aeronaut food market runs in-house, plus a Wednesday trivia and live-music programme.
Tip: Saturday food market 12:00 to 17:00 has 12 vendors; pair with the day's Aeronaut taproom pour. The barrel-aged saison is the under-ordered beer.