Paul Boyd, a Plymouth resident, is a professor and faculty director of the MBA program at Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island. His research has focused on growth and success in the craft beer industry. To better understand the world of beer, Paul samples an occasional IPA – or two – around town and will share what he finds in upcoming Beer Town columns.
Move over, Mayflower II and Plimoth Patuxet Museums. The next flood of tourists may be coming just for the beer.
Plymouth is fast becoming the working man’s Napa Valley, except for beer instead of wine. In Massachusetts, there are 236 breweries. That’s one for every 30,000 residents. But Plymouth already has five – about one for every 12,748 people. And two more are scheduled to open soon. That’s a whole lot of suds, kegs, and pints. Seven breweries? Who’s counting? Well, we are: that would make it one for every 9,105 Plymouthians.
Everyone knows Mayflower Brewing Company. The brash 2007 start-up is now Plymouth’s beer grandpa by volume and reputation. But then there are the relative newcomers, like IndieFerm, Second Wind, Llama Nama, and Sour Not Sorry.
All of which puts Plymouth atop any beer aficionado’s bucket list. And right across the bridge in Sandwich is the acclaimed Tree House Brewing Company. And next door in Carver is Brewery 44.
Our five Plymouth breweries combined produce about 4,200 gallons a week. Mayflower, of course, brews about 3,000 gallons – or for those of us who drink it a pint at a time, 24,000 pints.
In contrast, the four-year-old Llama Lama Beer Labs brews just 31 gallons a week. But, the size of the brewery is not the proper measure. As goes the old Czech proverb, “a fine beer may be judged with only one sip, but it is better to be thoroughly sure.”
We have a pretty good selection of craft brewers here and it will be growing. Two regionally acclaimed brewers are opening local operations here. The thriving beer scene in Plymouth will grow in January with the arrival of Untold Brewing in North Plymouth at the edge of Cordage Park. This will be its third location after its brewery and taproom in Scituate and a taproom and restaurant in Hingham.
Why Plymouth? According to owner Mike Dyer, “our location at the new Harborwalk development is … just a short 10-minute drive from Plymouth’s robust cultural attractions in downtown. The region has blossomed into a must-visit destination year-round with great restaurants, attractions, and a growing population of residents and visitors that value local business.”
I’d say more about the other new brewery, but the opening has not been confirmed by the owner. But the beer community here – oh, yes, there is a beer community – is well aware of their imminent arrival. I won’t steal their thunder. As this brewer told me, “we haven’t announced that we are opening in Plymouth yet. Even though it’s the worst kept secret in Plymouth (lol) confidentiality is important to us. We would like to announce it on our terms.”
If you enjoy craft beer, you are not limited to just the local producers. There is a retail outlet dedicated to these brews from across the northeast, the Craft Beer Cellar inside Plimoth General Store on Court Street. And anyone who has been to a liquor store hereabouts can’t help but be impressed with the extensive craft beer selections.
Still thirsty? Plymouth has about 130 establishments where you can buy one to enjoy on-site. Well, maybe you, but not me: some of those are private golf and social clubs to which I, sadly, have not been invited.
Like wineries, breweries are meant to be visited. Brewers dislike being lonely. They’ll welcome you, and your wallet, drafts are typically $7 to $12 a pint. Quality has a small price. Below is a guide of where and when to find them. Visit and quaff one – or two if you have a designated driver. Soon, we’ll provide here an inside look at each of Plymouth’s newest tourist attractions.
Mayflower
12 Resnik Road
mayflowerbrewing.com
Mon, Wed, Thu 12:00 – 8:00
Fri 12:00 – 9:00
Sat 12:00 – 8:00
Sun 12:00 – 6:00
On Tap Now:
Crispy Business
Love & Wrestling
Porter
IndieFerm
127-3 Camelot Drive
independentfermentations.com
Tue 4:00 – 7:00
Thu, Fri 3:00 – 7:00
Sat 12:00 – 8:00
Sun 12:00 – 5:30
On Tap Now:
Dark Winter Ale
Honey Tripel
Squeezy Wrench
Second Wind
7 Howland Street
secondwindbrewing.com
Wed, Thu 5:00 – 10:00
Fri 2:00 – 10:00
Sat 12:00 – 10:00
Sun 12:00 – 8:00
On Tap Now:
Howland at the Moon
Downtown Rabbits
Where it Began
Llama Nama
40 Cordage Park Circle
llamanamabeerlabs.square.site
Thu, Fri 4:00 – 8:00
Sat, Sun 12:00 – 8:00
On Tap Now:
Llama Lite
West Coast Pale Ale
Spruce Tip Pale Ale
Sour Not Sorry
8a Court Street (Downstairs)
sournotsorrybrewing.com
Thu 4:00 – 9:00
Fri 4:00 – 10:00
Sat 1:00 – 10:00
Sun 1:00 – 6:00
On Tap Now:
Winter Night
Turkey Twist
Creed’s Cobbler
Untold Brewing
385 Court Street (Cordage Park)
untoldbrewing.com