Author’s Note: Happy 2020! As the calendar turned from December to January, a renewed sense of excitement and anticipation of a new year – even decade – can be hard to ignore. Will everyone be driving an electric vehicle over new, safer and modernly designed Bourne and Sagamore bridges, by the end of the decade? Will composting food waste be the norm, to slow the cost of garbage collection and put to better use the release of carbon into the atmosphere. Further, what will our ocean look like; temperature, sea level rise, teaming with fish? I hope so.
This new decade is also going to be a big year for the Shaws, as our family will be adding a new member. A nervous excitement is the best description at this point. While the title wave of responsibility and learning is starting to crest, I plan to squeeze in a little fun while I still can. One of my favorite ways to relax, catch-up with friends and support local businesses is to visit a favorite or new brewery. Can releases and live music are the preferred times to go, as that secondary excitement usually makes for a good vibe. When planning a brewery tour or visit, it’s hard not to initially think of Colorado, Maine, or Vermont for those big name breweries, though Cape Cod seems to be fertile ground for the craft brew scene as well, with three new breweries having opened within the last two years. Whether you find yourself on the Upper, Mid, Lower or Outer Cape, there’s a brewery for you on Cape Cod.
Breweries “Hopping Up” All Over Cape Cod
It’s not new, but the pace of local craft breweries opening across the United States, especially in the northeast, more so in Massachusetts is extraordinary. Did you know Cape Cod is the home to breweries, wineries, a cidery, a vineyard and even a distillery? I didn’t. Part of the Cape Cod Craft Beverage Trail, over a dozen craft establishments have sprouted up across Cape Cod, with most growth among the breweries, three within the last two years. If you enjoy yard games (Naukabout), food trucks (Cape Cod Beer), mini golf (Barnstable Brewing) table games (Hog Island) or pizza (Bad Martha), these breweries are for you:
Bad Martha Farmer’s Brewery, Falmouth, is the newest brewery on Cape Cod and the second location in the Bad Martha family, the original in Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard. The Falmouth location is near Mashpee Commons, housed in a giant, and beautifully restored rustic barn. Plentiful outdoor seating and parking makes your arrival effortless. Inside the tap room is a large bar, high top seating and a large merchandise section. Dogs are allowed, which won me over quickly. The brewery boasts over ten beers on rotating taps, with a good selection of 4-pack tall boy cans to go. The kitchen serves a variety of pizza, which we have not yet tried. The beer, we did try. Bad Martha’s flights are a delight, with four 5 oz. pours and a paper and pencil for note taking, or in our case, a Yahtzee scorecard. The flagship beer, Bad Martha Ale is an amber ale, with a bit of a Guinness-like finish, was my favorite. The highly popular “508 IPA” was only available in cans and was later consumed by a buddy before I could try it. Kyle! Our bartender, Sheila, from Vermont, who lived in Colorado, gave us plenty of common ground to talk about. The brewery is open ever day, beginning at 11:00 am.
Barnstable Brewing, Barnstable, is another newer brewery on Cape Cod, despite the founder having 30 years experience making small batches for family and local events. The Barnstable brewery is conveniently located off Route 28, and just happens to be next to Adventure Falls Mini Golf. What better way to spend a spring, summer or fall afternoon – mini golf and beer. Boom! The exterior of the building does not scream brewery, but once inside, has an instant, laid-back family room feel. There are over-sized couches, high tops, and board games. The bar is a long enough to seat over a dozen people, with a handful of drafts and a few canned options. The complimentary pretzels at the bar is a nice touch. The outdoor area features Adirondack chairs, patio furniture and a fire pit. A giant Connect 4 game adds nice color (and playful vibe) to the deck. The blueberry ale is delicious, available in cans and the winner of the day. The brewery is open Thursday through Sunday, and hours are variable. My first visit was at 2:00 pm despite their website saying their hours were 4:00-8:00 pm. Win-win!
Cape Cod Beer, Hyannis, is the long-time, dare I say original, craft brewery on Cape Cod. Their tagline, “A vacation in every pint,” sums it up. Having been around for a long time (1996), Cape Cod Beer is found in pretty much every restaurant or bar from the Upper to Outer Cape. The Cape Cod Red is the flagship brew, though Cape Cod Porter got my attention on this latest visit. The brewery has come along way since my first tour over a decade ago when you could only peek in the brewing operation. The covered outdoor patio greets visitors, followed by a store with merchandise and fridge featuring cans and growlers. The non-liquid “attention draw” is the toy truck collection mounted on the wall. Two complete Matchbox Collectibles Beer Truck Collections; the Great American Micro Breweries and Models of Yesteryear. I won’t spoil the cool story of how this came to be, and instead hope you’ll see it for yourself. There are a ton of events every month at the brewery, such as group fun runs, live music, tours, home brew club gatherings, (hula) hoops and hops night, and even flannel Friday axe throwing. Yeah, Cape Cod Beer has a sense of humor — and a sense for fun. A vacation in every pint, indeed.
Devil’s Purse Brewing Company, South Dennis, is an established brewery located along industrial row of Great Western Road. The brewery shares the building with other professional offices, but added an outdoor seating area in a section of the parking lot closest to the front door. The outdoor area is yard game and dog friendly, with customized cornhole boards placed carefully between picnic bench seating. The indoor area is cozy, with a few table tops, but most of the room is reserved for the brewing operations. While the handline Kolsch is the flagship beer, my favorite beer only found once in cans, was the Hens & Chickens Double IPA, surprisingly drinkable for such a high A/V. Devil’s Thumb hours are earlier than most, with a 12:00-7:00 pm.
Hog Island Beer Company, Orleans, is another established brewery located next to the Old Jail House Tavern, and down the street from the Beacon Room, on West Road. The outdoor area features yard games, seating and is dog-friendly. But don’t try to bring your cute pooch inside, they did not smile, innocent as the transgression was. For us paddleboarders, the Hog Island story is a good one, and the brewery just turned five years old. As Frosty the Snowman would say, “Happy Birthday!” The indoor space is large, with pretty much any table game imaginable; ping pong, billiards, foosball, air hockey and more. Ellen and I each ordered a flight, with generous pours. My favorite was the Moon Snail Pale Ale, though it was not available in cans at the time. During our last visit, staff were setting up for a private event, so add Hog Island to your short list of places to host your next special occasion.
Naukabout Beer Company, Mashpee, is a new brewery with the most amazing outdoor playground (for adults) maybe ever. First, the brewery actually has a view of Mashpee Pond, Sam’s Cove side. Second, the multi-level backyard has every classic yard game from horseshoes, cornhole, washers and more. The indoor space is comfortable, with a mahogany bar and well crafted wood tables. The tap list is extensive, which is surprising for a brewery that is less than two years old, but then again, go big or go home. Naukabout does not do flights, but instead does short and long pours. I sampled 3 short pours, still a hearty 8 ounces. The winner of the bunch was “Quitting Time NEIPA,” though the other 12 beers on tap meant that a return visits needs to happen.
Other breweries on Cape Cod include Hope Shoal Ciderworks in Provincetown (no public location) and Aquatic Brewing (brewery in planning) in Falmouth. Who knows, by the time this post goes live, there may be a handful more! I hope so. Cheers!