Brewer's Coalition in Newtonville Has Closed

A neighborhood restaurant in the western suburbs that was known in part for its craft beer list has shut down.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Brewer's Coalition in Newtonville is no longer in business, with an Instagram post from the Walnut Street spot saying the following:

Since [March 14, 2020] our successful Newton location has taken a big hit. Our recent sales volume was more than 50% less than what it was pre-Covid. No business can survive that, no matter how much we wanted it to. We don't take major decisions like this lightly because we know that it impacts many people, not just us. Today we move on, but we remember and sincerely thank all of those who have supported and helped us along the way.

Brewer's Coalition, which first opened in 2012, was under the same ownership as John Brewer's Tavern in Malden and Waltham, along with Offshore Ale Company in Oak Bluffs.

The address for the now-closed Brewer's Coalition was 344 Walnut Street, Newtonville, MA, 02460.

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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New Belgium Brewing Company Bringing Its Beers to Massachusetts

One of the largest craft breweries in the United States will soon be selling its beers in the local area.

The Boston Globe is reporting that Colorado-based New Belgium Brewing Company's beers are on their way to Massachusetts, with its entire lineup coming to the state, including Fat Tire, Dayblazer Easygoing Ale, Voodoo Ranger IPA, and more becoming available at some point this month. The article says that the beers sold in this state will be brewed at New Belgium's new brewery in Asheville, NC, and that the company will become fully national by April when it arrives in Maine, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and Vermont.

New Belgium Brewing Company, which is headquartered in Fort Collins, was established in 1991. According to the Globe, it is the fourth largest craft brewery in the country.

The website for the brewery can be found at http://www.newbelgium.com/

[February 14 update: According to multiple sources, New Belgium Brewing Company's beers are now available in Massachusetts.]

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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Ten Good Places to Get Beer in the Boston Area]

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Craft Beer Cellar Plans to Open in Former Substation in Roslindale

An expanding local group of specialty beer stores is looking to open a new location, and this one would be in an historic structure within a Boston neighborhood.

Universal Hub is reporting (via Roslindale Village Main Street) that Bryan Reeves and Marty Alvares-Reeves are hoping to open a franchise of Craft Beer Cellar in a former substation in Roslindale Village that is being redeveloped into a mixed-used complex. If the proposal is approved and plans go as scheduled, the new location of the beer shop could be opening next winter (a beer and wine license needs to be approved by the city before the green light is given, according to UH).

Boston-area locations of Craft Beer Cellar can currently be found in Belmont, Braintree, Newton, and Winchester; a number of other outlets are also in operation elsewhere in New England, along with shops in New York, Florida, and Missouri. (The CBC website is at http://www.craftbeercellar.com/)

[Earlier Article]
Restaurant, Cafe, Produce Market Planned for Former Roslindale Substation

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Craft Beer Cellar to Expand Beyond New England

The folks behind a handful of specialty beer stores in Eastern Massachusetts (and one in Vermont) are now looking to open new stores in other parts of the United States.

The Boston Globe is reporting that Kate Baker and Suzanne Schalow of the Belmont-based Craft Beer Cellar are planning to continue expanding, with its website mentioning upcoming outlets planned for Portsmouth, NH,  Brandon, FL, St. Louis, MO, and--according to the article--possibly Seattle. Currently, locations of the CBC can be found in Belmont, Winchester, Newton, Braintree, Westford, and Waterbury, VT, with the Winchester location being an "annex" that focuses on New England beers.

It is not yet known if/when other franchise sites could be coming to the region or elsewhere in the country; as soon as we hear more information, we will post updates here.

The website for Craft Beer Cellar is at http://www.craftbeercellar.com/

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Craft Beer Cellar Is Opening in Braintree

The folks behind two specialty beer stores in Belmont and Winchester--and soon several others in New England--have announced yet another new shop on the way, with this one opening in a suburb south of Boston.

According to a post on its website, Craft Beer Cellar is planning to open in Braintree, moving into the space on Commercial Street in the East Braintree/Weymouth landing area where a hair salon used to be. This is one of a few new Craft Beer Cellar locations coming to the region, with others in the works for Newton, Westford, Waterbury, VT, and possibly Portsmouth, NH, and Portland, ME (a Needham location had also been in the works as well, but that may have fallen through).

A note on its Facebook page indicates that the new Craft Beer Cellar in Braintree might be opening in the middle of November.

[October 31 update: A post on its Facebook page indicates that Craft Beer Cellar is one step closer to opening in Braintree, as it has received a license to sell alcohol from the town's licensing board.]

[November 21 update: According to a new post on its Facebook page, the Craft Beer Cellar in Braintree is now open .]

The address for this upcoming beer store in East Braintree/Weymouth Landing is: Craft Beer Cellar, 28 Commercial Street, Braintree, MA, 02184. The website for the shops is at https://craftbeercellar.com/

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[New article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve More Dishes for College Students in the Boston Area]

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Craft Beer Cellar Is Opening in Newton Centre

The people behind a specialty beer store in Belmont--and an upcoming New England annex in Winchester--are going to be opening another shop in Newton.

A note sent by Linear Retail indicates that Craft Beer Cellar plans to open on Centre Street in Newton Centre, joining the original location of the store on Leonard Street in Belmont Center. The new location will feature beers from New England as well as a variety of national and international beers, and it will also offer fine wines, marinades, sauces, cheese, and snacks. Weekly beer and wine tastings will take place at the Newton Centre location of Craft Beer Cellar as well, according to the message from Linear Retail.

A third shop--called Craft Beer Annex--is getting ready to open in Winchester, with that store selling only New England beers. A Needham location of Craft Beer Cellar had also been in the works, but that appears to be on hold for now.

[July 17 update: It looks like Craft Beer Cellar's opening in Newton is one step closer to reality, as a post on its Facebook page today says "Passed our public hearing with 'enthusiastic yes' votes! On to state approval next."]

[October 30 update: According to a Facebook post, the new Craft Beer Cellar in opens in Newton Centre today.]

The address for this new specialty beer shop in Newton Centre is: Craft Beer Cellar, 1241 Centre Street, Newton, MA, 02459. The website for the original Craft Beer Cellar is at http://nocrapbeer.com/craftbeercellar/ma/belmont/.

[Earlier Articles]
Craft Beer Cellar New England Annex Coming to Winchester
Craft Beer Cellar May Be Coming to Needham

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Craft Beer Cellar New England Annex Coming to Winchester

The folks behind a specialty beer store in Belmont are going to be opening another outlet a few miles north, and this one will focus exclusively on regional brews.

According to its website and Facebook page, Craft Beer Cellar is bringing a New England Annex to Winchester, with the store selling only beers made in New England. A note on the Facebook page of the annex indicates that the new shop could be open by June 1, though they are "still in the planning, construction, and build-out stages."

[July 1 update: The Winchester Patch states that Craft Beer Cellar New England Annex opens today.]

The original Craft Beer Cellar first opened on Leonard Street in Belmont Center in the fall of 2010, with the focus being on craft beers from small, independent breweries in New England and beyond. There had been talk of another location coming to Needham, but that appears to be on hold, at least for now.

The address for this new beer store in Winchester is: Craft Beer Cellar New England Annex, 18 Thompson Street, Winchester, MA, 01890. The website for the original Craft Beer Cellar is at http://nocrapbeer.com/craftbeercellar/ma/belmont/ while the Facebook page for the annex can be found at https://www.facebook.com/craftbeercellarneannex

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Barcade (Combination Beer Bar/Arcade) Is Eyeing the Boston Area

A New York-based group of spots featuring beer and video games could be coming to the Boston area at some point.

Boston Magazine is reporting that Paul Kermizian, who is the founder and co-operator of Barcade, is considering the possibility of opening a location somewhere in Boston or possibly Cambridge or Somerville. In the article, Kermizian states that "Boston is definitely a place that's on the top of our list—not the very top—but in the next few cities we [open bars in], we would like to think of moving there" and that "We have a couple of other places in mind first, but Boston would probably be one of the next two or three after [the opening of a new location in Manhattan]."

Barcade, which first started out in Brooklyn in about nine years ago, features craft beers as well as classic arcade games. In addition to its Brooklyn location, outlets of the place can also be found in Jersey City and Philadelphia. (The Manhattan location will be on the "West Side" of the borough and should be opening sometime this year.)

Thanks to the Boston Hospitality and Tourism Industry Blog for bringing this to our attention.

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Craft Beer Cellar May Be Coming to Needham

It looks like a specialty beer store in Belmont could be expanding to another western suburb of Boston.

The Needham Times is reporting that Craft Beer Cellar is hoping to open a second shop in Needham, which recently passed a measure to allow beer, wine, and liquor to be sold in stores. If a license is approved for Craft Beer Cellar, it would be one of the first package stores to open in the community. (A public hearing will take place on February 2 to see which applicants might get licenses.)

Craft Beer Cellar first opened on Leonard Street in the fall of 2010. It focuses on craft beers from small, independent breweries in New England and beyond. The website for the store can be found at http://nocrapbeer.com/craftbeercellar/ma/belmont/


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Hops N Scotch Is Opening in Brookline

A new restaurant and bar is on its way to Brookline, moving into the space where an upscale dessert place used to be.

According to a poster on the Chowhound site (and confirmed on a Town of Brookline page), the people behind Coolidge Corner Wine & Spirits on Beacon Street is planning to open Hops N Scotch in the former Finale spot, which is next door to their shop. The poster mentions that the downstairs section of the new eating and drinking place will feature approximately 30 craft beers on tap, while the upstairs section will more of a lounge, with such options as bourbon, rye, and scotch drinks.

It appears that Hops N Scotch will be opening sometime late this spring.

[February 16 update: The Boston Business Journal reports that Hops N Scotch will offer "boutique wine" along with beer and liquor, and that its food menu will feature "casual American comfort foods." The article also mentions that the new spot might be opening sometime in May.]

[July 30 update: The Boston Magazine Chowder blog states that Hops N Scotch is hoping to soft-open this Friday (August 3).]

[August 3 update: A new update from their Facebook page indicates that Hops N Scotch is looking to have a soft opening this weekend, with an official opening to the public next Wednesday (August 8).]

[August 9 update: Eater Boston reports that Hops N Scotch has officially opened.]

The address for this new restaurant and bar in the Coolidge Corner section of Brookline is: Hops N Scotch, 1306 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA, 02446.

[Earlier Article]
Finale in Brookline's Coolidge Corner Has Closed

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Publick House Provisions in Brookline Is Closing

It looks like the retail outlet of a popular restaurant and beer bar in Brookline is going to be closing its doors.

According to Brookline TAB and Wicked Local, the Brookline selectmen's office states that Publick House Provisions on Beacon Street (a few blocks west of Washington Square) will be shutting down. The shop, which first opened in the spring of 2008, is directly connected with The Publick House, which is also located on Beacon Street, just east of the store. The people behind Publick House Provisions and The Publick House also run American Craft, a restaurant and bar that is next to the shop.

Publick House Provisions has been known for its vast selection of craft beers as well as its artisanal cheeses. The store has also hosted various events, including free beer tastings.

The address for this soon-to-close beer and cheese shop in Brookline is: Publick House Provisions, 1706 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA, 02445.

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