Boston may be known for Sam Adams and Harpoon, but just a few exits up I-93 North sits an emerging new neighborhood for craft beer lovers–The Fermentation District. Nestled off of Revere Beach Parkway and Santilli Highway, you’ll discover a cluster of craft breweries and distilleries that make up Everett’s Fermentation District. Even better? The Batch Yard, our candy-factory turned luxury apartments, is just a short 3-minute drive (or Lyft) to the neighborhood.

Night Shift

Home to distribution favorites like Whirlpool, Awake and Morph, Night Shift is a staple for craft beer lovers. From Weisses to IPAs, even non-beer drinkers will find something to love. The inside of the brewery is open, airy and welcoming with two separate rooms, both available for private events. On most nights, local food trucks like Bonetown Burgers, Stoked Pizza and Munch Mobile Kitchen are parked out front to help satisfy your cravings. Word to the wise, Fridays and Saturdays often include a wait, so it’s best to visit during the week.

Bone Up

With beer names like Shut Up, Kelly and Extra Naked, Bone Up is a must-visit on your trip to the Fermentation District. The tasting room is a little smaller than Night Shift, but the customer service and the arcade games are not to be missed. Open Wednesday-Sunday, Bone Up partners with local restaurants to serve fresh donuts, pretzels and other treats while you enjoy their rotating and permanent line-up.

Short Path

Open Thursday through Sunday, Short Path is the only distillery in the district. Settled in an old warehouse, with warm lighting, high beamed ceilings, brick walls, tables and a bar top made from pine trunks, the nature-inspired atmosphere is perfect for catching up with friends or a first date. Select from seasonal and flagship rum, gin, brandy, cordials and an ever-rotating list of cocktails. Follow @spdistillery for the featured cocktail of the week. If you’re lucky, you’ll end up visiting on a night you can enjoy some live music.

Pro tip: Sundays mean Bloody Marys and these bloodies mean business. If you order a 16oz, you get to keep the glass!

Down The Road

Down The Road is the newest brewery in the neighborhood. With a 2,500 square foot. taproom, plenty of parking and a pinball arcade, this brewery is worth the trip. The labels of the canned beer (with fanciful names like Pukwudgie) are adorned with beautiful artwork by artist Nikki Rossignol, featuring Middle Earth fairies, foxes, trolls, and mystical forests. If beer isn’t your thing, the brewery proudly offers several non-alcoholic drinks on tap.

If you’re not sold yet, Night Shift, Bone Up and Short Path welcome leashed, well-mannered pups on their patios to celebrate with their humans when the New England weather is favorable. Leashed and behaved dogs are welcome in the taproom except after 5 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Be sure to head out to one of these extraordinary breweries.

Find Your Next Boston Sanctuary