Massachusetts’ brewery scene has been nothing short of flourishing in recent years. With new craft brew houses popping up almost everywhere, it’s hard to keep track of them all.
Here, we’ve listed North Shore breweries by town alphabetically, so you can search for your favorite spot or get to know the others in your area. Find out which brewery best fits your vibe—whether you’re looking for live music, European-Style ale, great food, or a community focus. Or, leave no stone unturned and go ahead and try them all!
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BareWolf Brewing
Amesbury
BareWolf brews small batch beer and never filters, pasteurizes, or uses chemical additives, animal products, or refined sugars. Situated in an old mill building in Amesbury, their taproom hosts events like live music on Fridays, trivia on select Thursdays, and “Market Daze,” featuring local small businesses. They even have a handful of old-fashioned arcade games like pinball machines. Just don’t get too attached to any of their brews—they won’t last forever, and they’re constantly making new ones. “What better way to tackle our pesky mortality than to share a beer with those we love?” says their website.
Best at: Arcade games
12 Oakland St., Amesbury, 617-435-7950, barewolfbrewing.com
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Brewery Silvaticus
Amesbury
Located in downtown Amesbury, Silvaticus specializes in traditional European-style beers, like Belgian farmhouse ales and German style lagers. They take an Old World approach to their taproom, too, with its exposed brick walls and cozy lighting that invites good company and good conversation. They even offer European influenced small bites, like soft Bavarian pretzels, cheese plates, and pickled veggies, and they have a dog-friendly outdoor beer garden, too.
Best at: Traditional European brews
9 Water St., Amesbury, 978-504-2337, silvaticusbeers.com
Mill 77 Brewing
Amesbury
Also in downtown Amesbury is Mill 77 Brewing, a cozy brewery with both indoor and outdoor space. Located in a former mill building that used to build carriages, they focus on light, easy drinking brews and cultivating a sense of community. They aim to be a laid back place to gather with family and friends, and, to that end, are available to rent out for big groups and private functions.
Best at: Parties and functions
77 Elm St., Amesbury, 617-669-4235, mill77brewing.com
Outrider Beer Co.
Amesbury
Started by two longtime beer professionals, Outrider Beer Co. has a big space in downtown Amesbury with both indoor and patio seating. They keep their rotating beer menu pretty tight (ten brews or so), and they have some wine and spirits offerings, too. They also have an impressive food program, with fun options that are hard to find at brew pubs like tikka masala and a pork belly sandwich.
Best at: Something for everyone
35 Main St., Amesbury, 978-792-5917, outriderbeer.com
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Oak & Iron Brewing
Andover
Located on the banks of the Shawsheen River, Oak & Iron brews up a wide range of simple, straightforward beers in small batches that capture what longtime business partners and owners Jim and John call the “New England spirit: independent, innovative, hearty, and rugged.” They carry time-honored classics like IPAs and golden ales, along with a few seasonal selections and snacks like pretzels and cheese plates. They even have a large outdoor beer garden with seating for up to 75 people.
Best at: New England-inspired seasonals
18 Red Spring Rd., Andover, 978-475-4077, oakandironbrewing.com
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Backbeat Brewing
Beverly
This brewery on Beverly’s Park Street makes more than just beer — they roast coffee, too, so they’re open in the morning to sell coffee and tea. Their tap list includes a range of lagers, ales, and hard seltzers, and they have a small menu of bar food. Plus, their “Backbeat Britain” extension sells snacks and treats from across the pond that are hard to find anywhere else in MA.
Best at: Brewing coffee
31A Park St., Beverly, backbeatbrewing.com
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Coastal Mass. Brewing
Beverly
Formerly Channel Marker Brewing, Coastal Mass. specializes in “hazy, juicy, New England style IPAs,” although they have a menu of perpetually changing microbrews, too, to round out the menu. Started by three hometown friends from Beverly, the brewery has a cozy taproom downtown on Rantoul St. that hosts events like workshops, trivia, and food pop-ups, collaborating with other North Shore small businesses.
Best at: New England-style IPAs
95 Rantoul St., Beverly, 978-969-3071, channelmarkerbrewing.com
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Gentile Brewing Company
Beverly
Gentile operates out of a quaint downtown Beverly building built in 1884, and says its beers pay homage to the Beverly community of that bygone era. They offer a handful of rotating brews, many of which are gluten-reduced, like porters, German-style lagers, and a rotating American IPA. The taproom is open Thursdays through Sundays, and you can also find their brews in North Shore restaurants like A&B Burgers and Toscana.
Best at: English-style brewing
59 Park St., Unit #1, Beverly, 978-969-6496, gentilebrewing.com
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Old Planters Brewing Company
Beverly
When founders Matt and Ben were looking to take the licensed brewery in their basement public with a taproom, only a Beverly location would do. The founders pay homage to their roots as “townies” with the name Old Planters, named after the founding fathers of Beverly, and with brew titles giving nods to Beverly inside jokes. The spot aims to welcome both townies and newcomers alike with creative beers and a community vibe.
Best at: Beverly’s community spirit
232 Rantoul St., Beverly, 978-522-6446, oldplanters.com
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Twisted Fate Brewing
Danvers
This majority female-owned brewery in Danvers is a low-key, family-friendly operation with a down-to-earth vibe. While they serve some small snacks alongside their IPAs, stouts, and pilsners, outside food is welcomed and encouraged. They even host a monthly dads club, and you can find their brews at liquor stores and restaurants throughout the area, too.
Best at: Family-friendly
120 Andover St., Suite 4, Danvers, 617-833-2791, twistedfatebrewing.com
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The Tap Brewing Company
Haverhill
Go for the beer, stay for the comfort food and art deco-inspired design. The Tap Brewing Co. serves American pub food at their full-service restaurant, with large windows into their brewhouse and about a dozen beers on tap plus a rotating cask option and a full wine, cider, and cocktail menu, too. Enjoy a brew from their seasonal deck overlooking the Merrimack River, or from their speakeasy-like basement with pool tables and a jukebox.
Best at: Atmosphere
100 Washington St., Haverhill, 978-374-1117, tapbrewingcompany.com
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Ipswich Ale Brewery
Ipswich
Over 30 years old, Ipswich Ale is one of the grandparents of New England craft breweries. Riverwalk Brewing in Newburyport now produces their beers for them, and their gastropub Brewer’s Table, at which you can find pub favorites like sandwiches, hearty soups, flatbreads, and entrees, was named Readers’ Choice for the best gastropub north of Boston in the 2020 BONS Awards. Keep an eye out for special events at Brewer’s Table like live music!
Best at: Down-to-earth gastropub
2 Brewery Place, Ipswich, 978-356-3329, ipswichalebrewery.com
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True North Ale Company
Ipswich
This award-winning brewery was founded by local father and son duo Gary and Jake Rogers. Gary began homebrewing his own beer over thirty years ago, but it wasn’t until his passion was reignited while Jake was finishing college that they decided to open up their Ipswich brewery. Today, they host events like trivia nights, and you can find food from Big Pig BBQ at the taproom most nights. And their beer quality is something to be reckoned with—they recently won a Silver Award at the 2024 World Beer Cup, the most prestigious beer competition in the world.
Best at: Award-winning ale
116 County Rd., Ipswich, 978-312-6948, truenorthales.com
Spicket River Brewery
Lawrence
Located in a spacious and vibrant mill building-turned-taproom by the mouth of Lawrence’s Spicket River, this brewery has a rotating lineup of unique brews (an India pale lager with grapefruit puree, anyone?) and pub food like brick oven pizza. They hold tons of events and festivals, too — check their Instagram for the latest on their artisan markets, live shows, and more.
Best at: Community events
56 Island St., Lawrence, 978-258-0116, spicketriver-brewery.com
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Bent Water Brewing
Lynn
The first brewery east of the Mississippi River to use concrete vintner tanks, typically used for making wine in Sonoma, Bent Water partially credits its success to Lynn’s “superior water source.” Although you can find them on tap at countless restaurants around the state, pop into their waterfront Lynn taproom for some of their more uncharted brews—some of which have won international beer competitions—on 12 rotating taps. Travel + Leisure even recently called them one of the best breweries in Boston.
Best at: High-quality beers in an approachable setting
180 Commercial St., Lynn, bentwaterbrewing.com
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Newburyport Brewing Company
Newburyport
Founded by Newburyport locals and musicians Chris Webb and Bill Fisher in 2012, Newburyport Brewing has been one of the fastest growing breweries in the country. Today, the taproom, located a mile from downtown Newburyport, features a friendly atmosphere and live music most nights. They even have two indoor pickleball courts at the taproom and an outdoor beer garden at Oldies Vintage Marketplace on Water Street.
Best at: Live music
4 New Pasture Rd., Newburyport, 978-463-8700, nbptbrewing.com
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RiverWalk Brewing Company
Newburyport
What started as just a three-gallon brewing pot in a garage by Amesbury’s Riverwalk trail is now a full-service taproom with 12 rotating taps and an outdoor beer garden in Newburyport. Supporting local farmers and suppliers as often as they can, RiverWalk aims to connect the communities of the North Shore the way their namesake trail does, and their wind turbine and solar panels help power the brewery with clean energy. And if that wasn’t enough, they even have an extensive food menu and fire pits outside, too.
Best at: Sustainability
40 Parker St., Newburyport, 978-499-2337, riverwalkbrewing.com
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Hopothecary Ales
North Reading
Hopothecary Ales in North Reading puts intense care in every one of their brews — probably because co-founder Steven Gabardi is a pharmacologist by trade. But they’re big on food and atmosphere, too, aiming to offer more than just beer. They have a large food menu on which they partnered with local restaurateurs, along with a three-season beer garden and a bar/lounge area.
Best at: Large food menu
303 Main St., North Reading, 978-207-1254, hopothecaryales.com
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Granite Coast Brewing
Peabody
Opened in downtown Peabody in May 2019, the brewery started with two best friends and a one-barrel brewhouse in an unheated garage. When they started making more than they could drink, they bottled and delivered it to friends and family, earning co-owner Rob the nickname “The Beer Fairy.” Today, the taproom continues to win local awards, like “Best Craft Beer” from The Salem News and “Best Craft Brewery” and “Best After Work Drink” from Northshore’s BONS Awards.
Best At: A local favorite
77 Main Street, Peabody, 978-595-2775, granitecoastbrewing.com
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Couch Dog Brewing
Salem
This microbrewery and taproom in downtown Salem is AAPI-owned, and specializes in aromatic and Asian-inspired brews like their persimmon wheat beer and their session rice ale with yuzu. They host weekly trivia and aim to put the community first, partnering with local restaurants and businesses. The name comes from the owner’s pup, who’s a Jindo mix and the original couch dog.
Best at: Asian-inspired flavors
76 Lafayette St, Salem, couchdogbrewing.com
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East Regiment Beer Company
Salem
Started by a Navy vet and a Merchant Marine, East Regiment took five years to open—because founders Josh and Scott built everything by hand. From the table to the bar to the wort boiler, the taproom was a built-from-scratch labor of love, and was named after the first colonial militia. Today, they serve up cleverly named beers in their downtown Salem space, and host plenty of events like workshops and live music, too. They even have a mobile tap truck you can rent out for your next big event!
Best at: Mobile tap truck
30 Church St., Salem, 339-245-2939, eastregimentbeercompany.com
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Far From The Tree Cider
Salem
Far From The Tree has its roots in England, when owners Al and Denise were studying oenology across the pond. Since apples grow better in New England than grapes do, they decided to open up a cider house instead of a winery. They get their apples from orchards in central Massachusetts and their own Maine orchard, and ferment the juice in the cellar of their Salem building, which keeps the cider below the required 60 degrees without costly, environmentally unfriendly temperature control systems. Their tasting room is located upstairs.
Best at: Cider
108 Jackson St, Salem, 978-224-2904, farfromthetreecider.com
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Notch Brewing
Salem
Incorporated in 2010, Notch was the country’s first brewer of exclusively session beer, beer with a lower alcohol content (between three and five percent alcohol by volume), making it highly drinkable and refreshing. At their Salem brewery, find eight to fourteen beers on tap, snacks like sausage and cheese boards, and a beer garden open year-round. They have a location in Brighton now, and they’re also brewing a couple of non-alcoholic beers, too.
Best At: Session beer
283R Derby St., Salem, 978-412-7674, notchbrewing.com
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Lord Hobo Brewing Company
Woburn
Known for their “Boom Sauce” and “617” series, Lord Hobo has expanded from their brewery in Woburn to include a taproom in Boston’s Seaport, too. Seating up to 800 guests, it’s one of the biggest restaurants in Boston—but the Woburn location, nicknamed the “Humble Castle,” isn’t small by any means, and they serve bar food and host trivia on Wednesday nights. The company believes that “great beer is an accessible luxury.”
Best at: Bringing New England beer national
5 Draper Street, Woburn, 781.281.0809, lordhobobrewing.com