Eastern Massachusetts is about to become even more beer-saturated. Some of the new and coming-soon breweries come from industry vets, while others are the dream of homebrewers gone pro.
Bent Water Brewing Co.: Lynn-based Bent Water Brewing taproom opened this year serving its Thunder Funk IPA, brewed with six varieties and three different malts, it’s nose has hints of mango, citrus, pine and a touch of honey. Two former homebrewers are behind the project and produce accessible beers like the pale ale and IPA in addition to some more out-there beers (co-founder John Erik mentions a successful test batch of a wood-aged blackberry and chamomile imperial stout). The brewery also houses two concrete fermenters (most are steel), which he thinks are some of the only concrete beer fermenters east of the Mississippi River.
Bone Up Brewing Co.: This 3-barrel brewery hopes to be up and running in Everett by this year, producing four year-round beers as well as rotating seasonals and one-offs. In addition to its taproom, Bone Up plans to distribute some of its draft-only beers to Boston-area restaurants and bars, with potential for a canning or bottling line further down the road. Husband-and-wife team and co-owners Jared and Liz Kiraly aim to brew American styles with some Belgian influences including a Key lime white ale and a robust porter called Shut Up, Kelly! www.boneup.beer
Gentile Brewing Co.: This Beverly-based brewery and taproom, helmed by former Ipswitch Ale Brewery brewer Paul Gentile and his wife, plan to stay relatively small and locally focused , with just three two-barrel fermenters currently installed. Gentile says he prefers simple beers, so he’ll begin by brewing four year-round draft offerings including a blonde ale, an IPA, a porter, and a stout. Some of his kegs will also tap at Beverly and Salem restaurants, but the 48-person-capacity taproom will be the focus. gentilebrewing.com
True West: Maybe you’ve heard of these folks out of Dover, New Hampshire called 7th Settlement Brewery (they won a spiffy gold medal at GABF for their American brown ale). True West is a literal brother restaurant and brewery to 7th Settlement (True West co-founder Pete Henry’s brother, Josh, co-owns 7th Settlement), and opened in Acton, Massachusetts last month. The breweries are similar in some ways: Both brew classic American styles, both have restaurants heavily focused on seasonal, farm-to-table fare. But True West plans to lean slightly more Belgian than its northern sibling, and also plans to offer a CSB (community supported brewing) mug program that entitles the drinker access to exclusive events, free beer and more.
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