Sea Dog Brewing Company to Open New Location in Lowell

A beermaker with roots in Maine will be expanding to a new space in Eastern Massachusetts.

According to an article from What Now Boston, Sea Dog Brewing Company is planning to open a brewpub in Lowell, moving into the space on Cabot Street where El Jefe Taco Bar had been. The article mentions that the new location will have seating for 300 (including outdoor seating) along with space for events, and based on its other locations, expect to see a variety of beers (including lagers and ales) as well as classic American fare and comfort food dishes.

Currently, no locations of Sea Dog can be found in Massachusetts, though there had once been outlets in Hull and Woburn; their headquarters had originally been in Camden, ME, today being in Bangor.

The address for the upcoming location of Sea Dog Brewing Company in Lowell is 203 Cabot Street, Lowell, MA, 01854. The website for the company is at https://www.seadogbrewing.com/

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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Lord Hobo in Cambridge Is Gone; Space May Go Through a Rebrand But Appears Nameless for Now

A beer bar in Cambridge that helped launch one of the biggest beer brands in the local area is no more, and what's left is a bar that doesn't appear to have a name, at least for the time being.

According to a source from a few weeks back, Lord Hobo on Hampshire Street between Kendall Square and Inman Square is no longer called Lord Hobo, with signs gone and no new name apparently given for the place. A check on the space has confirmed this, and an article by beer writer Andy Crouch within the All About Beer website gets into details about how founder Daniel Lanigan no longer has ownership in Lord Hobo Brewing  anymore, though he has continued to co-own and run the Cambridge beer bar. In the article, Lord Hobo Brewing board member Simon Thorpe says that "Daniel is not involved anymore and hasn't been for some years now....He's no longer an owner and hasn't had an equity stake for the best part of two years." The article also mentions that Lord Hobo Brewing marketing director Aubree Karls said in a Reddit post that "I work for Lord Hobo Brewing Company and would like to clarify some confusion around [the Cambridge beer bar]. In 2023 we terminated our license of the Lord Hobo name at the Cambridge location, which is not owned and never been owned by Lord Hobo Brewing. We have not had a relationship with Cambridge since then, and we have repeatedly asked the operator to remove any signage or association with Lord Hobo."

The Lord Hobo beer bar first opened in Cambridge 2010, with Lord Hobo Brewery debuting in Woburn in 2015 and being joined by another location in Boston's Seaport District in 2020.

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Voodoo Brewing Co. to Expand to Boston

A group of brewpubs based in Pennsylvania is going to be expanding to the local area.

According to a press release, Voodoo Brewing Co. is planning to open a franchised location in Boston later this year, which will be its first outlet in Massachusetts, and the upcoming brewpub will offer beer, cocktails, and hard seltzers along with a food menu that includes items "tailored to local tastes." Voodoo Brewing Co. first started out in Meadville (which is where its headquarters are today) and currently has outlets in Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Colorado, and Nevada.

The website for Voodoo Brewing Co. can be found at https://www.voodoobrewery.com

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Brato Brewhouse + Kitchen in Brighton to Expand to New Location at The Sinclair in Cambridge's Harvard Square

A Boston brewpub is expanding to the other side of the river, partnering with a performance and event venue in Cambridge.

According to a tweet from @riptor, Brato Brewhouse + Kitchen in Brighton is opening at The Sinclair in Harvard Square on Saturday, February 12, with an Instagram post from the business saying the following:

Never did we ever think we'd be opening a new Brato operation after 2 years of a pandemic. *drink* We are so grateful for all of your support that has allowed us to grow during this time....We'll operate Wednesday-Sunday 5pm-9pm for now… but as the community starts to usher in a new normal, we'll be expanding operations....The Sinclair menu will feature favorites like beer cheese nachos, Brighton Hot chicken, a Sinclair smash burger, poutine, and BAR PIES.

The note also says that Brato at the Sinclair will require proof of vaccination for entry, as is the case with the music venue itself.

Brato Brewhouse + Kitchen first opened in Brighton in the fall of 2019; its website can be found at https://www.bratobk.com/

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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Lord Hobo May Be Looking to Open in Former Cuisine en Locale/ONCE Space in Somerville

A local brewer with three locations in the Greater Boston area may be expanding to Somerville.

According to a source, a notice of a license transfer application has been posted out front at the former Cuisine en Locale/ONCE space on Highland Avenue, with both a page within the city's website and a legal notice within the Somerville Times indicating that the brewer is indeed looking to acquire the liquor license held by Cuisine en Locale to operate in that space. The legal notice also mentions that Lord Hobo is seeking a Common Victualler License and an Entertainment by Devices License Indoors as well, though specifics on exactly what would go into the space are unknown at this point in time. (Lord Hobo has a brewery/restaurant in Woburn along with brewpubs in Boston's Seaport District and Cambridge.)

Cuisine en Locale and ONCE--which was a combination catering company/events venue space--announced that it would be closing down last fall; ONCE does remain in operation, hosting live shows at Boynton Yards near Union Square.

The address that Lord Hobo is looking to move into is 156 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA, 02143. Its website is at https://lordhobo.com/

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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Beerworks Is Shutting Down Operations

A local group of breweries and brewpubs that had permanently shut down a few of their locations over the past year or so has decided to call it a day.

According to a tweet from Drew Starr, Beerworks is suspending operations company-wide, with a note on its website saying the following:

THANK YOU BOSTON, SALEM, LOWELL, HINGHAM, FRAMINGHAM. Sad to say but we've brewed and served our last beers. We've decided to pack it in due to the pandemic and all that. We will miss you and the many years of fun we had bringing you fresh local beer and food. BEERWORKS was proud to serve you. Sincerely Joe Slesar and the BEERWORKS Team

All locations of Beerworks temporarily closed at the start of the pandemic, with outlets in Framingham, Hingham, and Salem subsequently shutting down permanently.

Beerworks first started out in 1992 in the Fenway, with that location being a popular spot especially during baseball season; the Fenway outlet was followed by locations in Salem, North Station/West End, Lowell, Hingham and Framingham.

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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Update: Democracy Brewing in Downtown Crossing Reopens After Being Temporarily Closed Since November

[Ed note: This article was updated on July 3, 2021, to reflect the fact that the place opens back up July 4.]

A brewery and pub in the heart of Boston is the latest dining/drinking spot to announce that it is going into hibernation.

According to a source, Democracy Brewing in Downtown Crossing is closing for the winter, with a message sent from the Temple Place spot saying that its last day in operation before going into hibernation is Saturday, November 21. Information from our source indicates that the business was able to work out a deal for reduced rent which allows them to shut down until things get better.

Democracy Brewing first opened in the summer of 2018, moving into the old Windsor Button building.

The address for Democracy Brewing is 35 Temple Place, Boston, MA, 02111. Its website can be found at https://www.democracybrewing.com/

[July 3, 2021 update: According to its website, Democracy Brewing reopens July 4.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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Update: Night Shift Brewing Reopens at Lovejoy Wharf in Boston After Being Closed Since January

[Ed note: This article was updated on May 6 to reflect the fact that the place has opened back up.]

A local brewery is closing its Boston location for the time being.

According to a source, Night Shift Brewing at Lovejoy Wharf is planning to temporarily shut down after business hours on January 23, with a Facebook post from the business confirming this. The post goes on to say that the reopening date is "TBD," and that they are "hopeful that it happens sooner than later" while also referring customers to their Everett location which will remain open.

The Lovejoy location of Night Shift is one of countless dining and drinking spots to temporarily close for some or all of the winter months as the pandemic continues.

The website for Night Shift Brewing can be found at https://nightshiftbrewing.com/

[May 6, 2021 update: According to an email, Night Shift reopens its Lovejoy Wharf location today, and it also plans to open the Owl's Nest Beer Garden on the Esplanade on Saturday, May 8 and The Owl's Nest Beer Garden at Herter Park in Allston in mid-May.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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Wachusett Brew Yard in Cambridge's Harvard Square Appears to Have Closed

It looks like the newest location of a group of brewpubs may have shut down after being in business for only a few months.

According to a source, Wachusett Brew Yard in the Harvard Square section of Cambridge has closed, with a check on the website for Wachusett Brewing Company indicating that the Cambridge location has been removed from the locations dropdown menu while the Westminster and Worcester outlets are still shown. Messages sent to the company last week have not been returned, but if we do hear back from them with more information on the closure, we will post an update here.

Wachusett Brew Yard first opened in the former John Harvard's Brewery and Ale House space within The Garage in Harvard Square last November.

The address for the now-closed Wachusett Brew Yard in Harvard Square is 33 Dunster Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138. The website for Wachusett Brewing Company can be found at https://www.wachusettbrewingcompany.com/

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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Night Shift Brewing Kitchen & Tap Opens within Encore Boston Harbor

A local brewery has opened a brand new restaurant and bar inside a resort and casino near the Boston line.

According to a press release, Night Shift Brewing Kitchen & Tap opens today at 2:00 PM within Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, with the new spot featuring elevated takes on classic pub food along an array of the brewery's beers on tap and in cans. The menu includes such items as popcorn, onion rings, wings, sliders, steak tips, lobster rolls, banh mi, and grilled salmon, while wine and cocktails are offered in addition to beer. (Night Shift Brewing Kitchen & Tap is currently open Thursday through Sunday for walk-in only.)

Night Shift has other locations in Everett and Boston's Lovejoy Wharf, though the latter is temporarily closed with a reopening possibly taking place in May; the company is also teaming up with Level99 to open a combination immersive gaming venue/taproom in May.

The website for Night Shift Brewing Kitchen & Tap at Encore Boston Harbor can be found at https://www.encorebostonharbor.com/dining-and-nightlife/dining/night-shift-brewing-kitchen-and-tap

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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Castle Island Brewing Co. Is Opening in South Boston, Will Be Serving Bar Pizza

About a year and a half ago, it was reported that a brewery in Norwood was going to be expanding to South Boston, and now we have learned that it is only a few months away from opening--and it will apparently be serving a very popular regional food item.

According to a Facebook post from Castle Island founder/president Adam Romanow along with a Boston Business Journal article, Castle Island Brewing Co. is planning to open its new facility on Old Colony Avenue in the Andrew Square section of Southie in July, and they will be partnering with Lombardo's, a function/events venue in Randolph that will be running Castle Island's kitchen. In his post, Romanow also drops some interesting news, saying that this will allow them to "bring some much needed South Shore-style bar pie to Southie."

The new facility, which will be located at the site of the old Cole Hersee factory, will include a indoor dining area with 240 seats, an outdoor patio with additional 50 seats, a tasting area with 20 beers on tap, a stage, and a small retail shop along with a brewery area in the back.

Castle Island Brewing Co. opened in Norwood in late 2015 after a search for a space that originally included the Andrew Square area; the name of the business comes from the Castle Island section of South Boston.

The website for Castle Island Brewing Co. is at https://castleislandbeer.com/

[May 25 update: According to a post within the jobs section of bostonchefs.com, the dining spot within Castle Island's new location in South Boston will be called Bardo's.]

[September 20 update: A Facebook post from the place indicates that Castle Island Brewing Co. opens in South Boston on Thursday, September 23.]

[Earlier Article]
Castle Island Brewing Co. Plans to Open Brewery and Pub in South Boston

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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Cape Ann Brewing Company in Gloucester Has Permanently Closed

A North Shore brewery has decided to call it a day.

According to a source, Cape Ann Brewing Company in Gloucester is no longer in operation, with a Facebook post from Boston's Wicked North Shore confirming this, while a Facebook post from the Rogers Street brewery says the following:

During the summer of 2002, a casual conversation spawned the, perhaps ill-thought, idea of what would become the Cape Ann Brewing Company. Since that day, we strove to create a brand and a place that would represent "the courage and spirit of the North Atlantic Fishing Fleet." We are proud of what we've created over the past 18 years. During this time we've weathered many storms, at times enjoyed smooth seas, and have always been thankful for the [strong] headwinds that have guided our voyage. Unfortunately, the current climate has proven to be our last sail.

Cape Ann Brewing Company was known in part for its brewpub which had harborside seating on an outdoor deck, while its menu featured BBQ dishes, seafood, and pub grub.

The address for Cape Ann Brewing Company was 11 Rogers Street, Gloucester, MA, 01930.

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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Hopsters Appears to Be Headed Toward Liquidation

A couple of months ago, it was reported that a local brewery with two locations in the Boston area had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Now we have learned that it is now apparently heading toward Chapter 7 liquidation.

According to an article from Brewbound, a judge has rejected a bid by Hopsters to prevent a trustee from changing the bankruptcy filing to a liquidation in a Thursday hearing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the District of Massachusetts. Back in September, Hopsters founder/owner Lee Cooper filed for bankruptcy and was looking to reorganize at that time, reinventing the business in order to keep it going. A check on its website indicates that the site appears to have been taken down, and there is no indication as to the status of the company on social media sites. (More on the apparent liquidation of Hopsters can be found in this tweet from @EdB_SP.)

Hopsters first opened in Newton Corner in 2013, with a second location opening in Boston's Fort Point neighborhood in 2018.

[Earlier Article]
Hopsters Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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Wachusett Brew Yard Opens in Cambridge's Harvard Square

A highly-anticipated brewpub has arrived in Cambridge, taking over the space where another restaurant and beer bar had been until closing last year.

According to a source, Wachusett Brew Yard opens today in the former John Harvard's Brewery and Ale House within The Garage in Harvard Square, with a Facebook post saying that it debuted at 4:00 PM and it will have a "diverse line up of hand-crafted beers and meals." This is the third Brew Yard that Wachusett has opened, with the other two being in Westminster (where Wachusett Brewing Company is headquartered) and Worcester.

The address for the new Wachusett Brew Yard in Harvard Square is 33 Dunster Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138. The website for Wachusett Brewing Company is at https://www.wachusettbrewingcompany.com/

[Earlier Articles]
Wachusett Brewing Company to Open Brewpub in Former John Harvard's Space in Cambridge's Harvard Square
John Harvard's Brewery and Ale House in Cambridge's Harvard Square Is Closing

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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John Harvard's Brew House at Shoppers World in Framingham Has Closed

It looks like a longtime brewpub west of Boston has shut down.

According to a source, John Harvard's Brew House at Shoppers World in Framingham is no longer in operation, with an article from the Framingham Source saying that its website is no longer working and that its space is for lease. A check on sitecenters.com indicates that the space is indeed for lease, showing space number 513 (its corner space between Marshalls and Michaels) being available.

John Harvard's first opened at Shoppers World 24 years ago, with the place featuring their own craft beers along with classic American fare and pub grub; another location of the brewpub in Cambridge's Harvard Square shut down in the spring of 2019.

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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Hopsters Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

A local brewery with two locations in the Boston area has declared bankruptcy.

According to a source, Hopsters has filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, with a post within the Newton-Needham Regional Chamber website saying that founder/owner Lee Cooper is looking to reorganize and reinvent the business in able to survive. In the post, Cooper says that "We have a new menu and new leadership and we are trying our damnedest to get people in. Alas, our Newton sales are abysmal, with an older population or younger families, people are too afraid to dine out in Newton, unemployment also doesn't help." His hope is that he will be allowed to hold off from paying vendors until the pandemic lessens, explaining that "It's a novel attempt, however not without precedent....It may be an option for similar independent restaurants to follow if they want to keep their business alive."

Hopsters has locations in Newton Corner and Boston's Fort Point neighborhood, with its website being found at https://www.hopstersbrew.com/

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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Hingham Beer Works Has Closed for Good

Another location of a local group of brewpubs has shut down permanently.

According to an article from the Boston Business Journal, Hingham Beer Works is no longer in operation, with owner Joe Slesar saying that lease for the space was up at the end of August and it made no sense to remain open. In the article, Slesar also looks at the bigger picture for the Beer Works chain, saying that "I get up every day and try to figure out how to move the ball forward....But realistically I'm looking at, how do I put together the proper business plan and survive?" His hope is to reopen the two Boston locations of Beer Works next spring, though the Salem and Framingham locations appear to be more in question, as their reopenings are based on how talks go with landlords at those spots. (An earlier article here had mentioned that Framingham Beer Works may have closed for good, with Beer Works attorney Paul Sporn saying that "...the pandemic made it impossible to move forward in Framingham.")

Hingham Beer Works is slated to hold an online auction around the middle of this month, while Slesar indicates that he is talking with other groups about bringing another restaurant to the space.

The address for now-closed Hingham Beer Works was 18 Shipyard Drive, Hingham, MA, 02043. The website for the company can be found at https://beerworks.net/

[Earlier Article]
Framingham Beer Works Has Apparently Closed for Good

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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Framingham Beer Works May Have Closed for Good

It looks like a location of a local group of brewpubs may have shut down permanently.

According to an article from the Framingham Source, Framingham Beer Works is no longer in operation, with Beer Works attorney Paul Sporn saying that "The pandemic has had a catastrophic effect on business. The restaurant industry was already facing a myriad of challenges before the pandemic, but the pandemic made it impossible to move forward in Framingham." The exact status of the other four locations of Beer Works is unknown right now, as the Boston (North Station/West End and Fenway), Hingham, and Salem outlets remain temporarily closed. [Ed note: The Hingham location is now closed as well.]

Framingham Beer Works first opened its doors in 2013.

The address for the now-closed Framingham Beer Works was 345 Cochituate Road, Framingham, MA, 01701. The website for the other locations can be found at https://beerworks.net/

[October 8 update: An Instagram comment gives just a sliver of hope that the Framingham closing might not be permanent, as the company says that the For Sale sign out front is "not a death sentence. This is not uncommon, and there's always the possibility of working with a new landlord, should there be a sale."]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Faces Brewing Co. Is Opening Its Brewpub This Week

It looks like a new brewery with a familiar name may be debuting its brewpub over the coming days.

According to a source, Faces Brewing Co. hopes to open an outdoor dining section on Wednesday, with the space being set up in their back lot and including picnic tables and flower boxes. The Pleasant Street business has actually been open of late for the sales of cans, but the brewpub itself has not been able to open due to restrictions placed on restaurants and bars because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As mentioned earlier, the Martignetti family, which had once been the owners of the long-closed Faces nightclub and recently-closed Lanes and Games bowling on Route 2 in Cambridge, is behind the new brewery.

The address for Faces is 50 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA, 02148. Its website can be found at http://www.facesbrewing.com/

[June 11 update: According to a source, Faces indeed opens its outdoor dining area today.]

[Earlier Article]
Faces Brewpub to Open in Malden

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Castle Island Brewing Co. Plans to Open Brewery and Pub in South Boston

A local brewery that gets its name from an historic part of South Boston may expand to a part of Southie that it had originally been considering.

A tweet from @mjvulch says (via a Facebook post from the West Broadway Neighborhood Association) that Castle Island Brewing Co. is planning to open a brewery and pub on Old Colony Avenue in the Andrew Square area, apparently coming to the site of the old Cole Hersee factory which is where Tatte is also planning to open a production facility, test kitchen, and cafe. An events page for a recent Andrew Square Civic Association meeting confirms this, showing that the agenda included an item titled "Castle Island Brewing Company/South Boston Expansion." It is not yet known if this would be an actual expansion to a second location for the brewery or a move from its current facility in Norwood, so stay tuned for updates.

Castle Island Brewing Co. opened in Norwood in late 2015 after a search for a space that included the Andrew Square area; the name of the business comes from the Castle Island section of Southie, which is a popular recreation area--and home to Fort Independence, which has been the site of various military fortifications since the 1600s.

The website for Castle Island Brewing Co. can be found at https://castleislandbeer.com/

[April 6, 2021 update: According to a Facebook post from Castle Island founder/president Adam Romanow and a Boston Business Journal article, Castle Island Brewing Co. plans to open its South Boston facility in July, and they will be partnering with Lombardo's in Randolph which will be running its kitchen--and Romanow says that this will allow them to "bring some much needed South Shore-style bar pie to Southie."]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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