Everything you need to know about visiting the Sam Adams Brewery
This local lager, named after the brewer-turned-Revolutionary leader, is on tap around the city and beyond. Brewery tours allow you to follow the beer-making process, from the selection of ingredients to the finished product. The brewery—the smallest of Boston Beer Company’s three facilities—is where all of the company’s beers were developed, with the exception of Boston Lager, which was born in founder Jim Koch’s kitchen.
What to expect at the Sam Adams Brewery
To learn everything about beer ingredients and the brewing process, take a classic tour (Mon-Thu 10am-3pm; Fri 10am-5:30pm; Sat 10am-3pm), which are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. (No advance tickets/reservations.) Tours start around every 30 minutes—more frequently on weekends—and admission is by voluntary charitable donation (suggested: $2 per person). Visitors 21 and over can sample three beers, and receive a complimentary tasting glass to keep. For a different experience, RSVP for one of the specialty tours; options include the Morning Mash-In Tour, Beyond the Brewhouse Tour, and the Sam Adams Barrel Aged Experience.
How to drink at the Sam Adams Brewery
Visit the tap room and shop (Mon-Sat 11am-8pm) to enjoy a pint or flight. Beyond the classics, you can try an ever-changing selection of experimental beers from the nano-brewery. Expect fun, beer-loving crowds on Thursdays for Stump Trivia (6-8pm).
Where to drink Sam Adams nearby
The fun doesn’t have to stop once you leave the brewery; a longtime Jamaica Plain favorite, Bella Luna Restaurant & The Milky Way is just steps away. This friendly hangout serves comfort fare and fresh beers (including Sam Adams) to brewery visitors from around the world. If you could use some fresh air, take a nice 15 minute stroll to reach Doyle’s Cafe, a local institution (dating back to 1882) with top-notch Guinness, hearty pub fare, and loads of history on display.