The Beach Times
Tree House Brewing: Cape Cod's Newest Taproom
Posted by Kinlin Grover | Monday, June 28, 2021
The beer scene on Cape Cod seems like it's constantly evolving. Only a few years ago, you'd be hard-pressed to find more than a couple of breweries, but today, you can find a local craft beer in nearly every community.
The newest of the bunch is opening its doors in summer 2021, and it should provide a unique experience for Cape Cod's visitors.
Tree House Brewing, which already has a location in Charlton, Massachusetts, is expanding to include a second taproom in Sandwich. This brewery aims to provide perhaps the country's most scenic place to enjoy a beer and will become a focal point for those spending time near the Cape Cod Canal.
Here's a look at what you can expect at Tree House Brewing in Sandwich, Massachusetts.
The Location
In 2020, the founders of Tree House Brewing Company purchased two properties overlooking Cape Cod Bay: one at 98 Town Neck Road and another at 3 Freeman Avenue. These properties are side-by-side at First Beach, which is close to Town Neck Beach and the entrance to the Cape Cod Canal from Cape Cod Bay.
In short, this is one of the most scenic spots on the Cape, and Tree House Brewing is turning it into a taproom that could accommodate as many as 500 people inside and outside the three-story, 7,760-square-foot building.
This project could transform the area into a true destination and a spot that visitors to the Cape will surely want to check out during their vacations.
How it Might Look
Many questions surround this new taproom, and we don't yet know how it will look. However, numerous restaurants have operated out of the building at 98 Town Neck Road, so it will be the location of the taproom.
The neighboring property at 3 Freeman Avenue is just an empty lot. Still, rumors are swirling that it could become a food truck parking area, giving visitors and locals the chance to sample cuisine from some of the Cape's most notable vendors.
It's also likely that Tree House Brewing will attempt to use the views and beach to its advantage as much as possible, potentially turning this resident neighborhood into a far more popular location.
The Process
It's worth noting that to start, Tree House Brewing will have minimal capacity. As a result, they'll be operating by pre-order-only. In fact, they'll only have beers to-go for the first month or so.
The gist is that you'll have to order your beer ahead of time because they don't have enough storage space to keep up with an on-demand ordering system.
So, you'll head to their website, order the beer you'll want to sample during your visit, and then show up during your allotted time. While this method isn't perfect because it doesn't allow for spontaneous visits, it's necessary for the time being because the current venue doesn't have enough cooler space to keep mass amounts of beer cold.
COVID restrictions could also keep capacity down once the taproom officially opens, so having a pre-ordering process can eliminate lines outside the building and alleviate parking concerns.
Possible Expansion
Despite the small size of the brewery's current coolers, there could be expansion plans coming in the future. The owners also purchased 5 Freeman Avenue, a residence they could use to grow the business.
However, the official story right now is that the owners will be living in the home as they get the Sandwich location ready to open in the summer.
The company is also looking at off-site parking options and a shuttle service once they have the entire taproom up and running to its full capacity.
In the end, Tree House Brewing will probably need space for additional coolers or a place to brew more beer on-site if they wish to meet their goals. They have big plans for the future, but we'll have to wait to see what they entail.
What They'll Offer
If you're thinking of visiting Tree House Brewing, you'll probably want to know a bit about the beers.
The good news is that they have a significant following in Charlton and other parts of Massachusetts because of their quality. They specialize in stouts, IPAs, and double IPAs, but also have ales, lagers, pilsners, and hefeweizens.
The plan is to sell coffee and breakfast at the brewery in the mornings, too, helping the owners get the most from the property all day long.
Another Brewery on Cape Cod
Many questions surrounding Tree House Brewing remain, but visitors to the Cape should keep an eye on the situation because it'll add yet another hotspot to visit when spending time in Sandwich.
The brewery's owners seem to have a vision regarding an oceanfront brewery on Cape Cod that they're trying to implement, and once they get it up and running, it should be a sight to behold.
The Cape is full of wonderful activities, and Tree House Brewing will add yet another unique location to check out from your vacation rental.
Beer Cape Cod Breweries Cape Cod Canal Sandwich
Exploring Cape Cod's Breweries This Summer
Posted by Kinlin Grover | Monday, August 6, 2018
As with most of the country, Cape Cod’s craft beer industry has seen rapid growth and is becoming a notable entity. If you’re a beer lover, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to try some new adult beverages during your holiday because there are independent breweries up and down the Cape, most of which have a tasting room. Remember, however, that most tasting rooms don’t offer food and aren’t full bars, so children and pets are often welcome. In addition, these tasting rooms keep limited hours and are only permitted to serve you a certain amount of beer, depending on the license they hold. Summer is the perfect time to head out and try some local flavor on for size, so make sure you get out there and experience the Cape Cod Craft Beverage Trail from your vacation rentals. It doesn't matter if you're in Harwich Port, Chatham, Provincetown, or Bourne, craft beers are never far away thanks to the following Cape Cod breweries.
Devil's Purse Brewing Company
You'll find Devil's Purse Brewing Company on Great Western Road in South Dennis. The area surrounding the brewery is mostly industrial, although there is a residential neighborhood nearby, as well. This brewery is also close to the trailhead of the Cape Cod Rail Trail, so if you're completing your ride in South Dennis, you can stop in for a pint at the end. A variety of different beer types are available at Devil's Purse, as they aim to be accessible to general beer drinkers and craft beer lovers alike. Most beers are American in style, but also influenced by their Europeans cousins. The tasting room is open from noon until 6 PM between Monday and Saturday, and no food is available. You can, however, bring your own food to enjoy with your beer.
Hog Island Beer Company
Although Hog Island is one of the newer breweries on Cape Cod, it has quickly developed a solid reputation, and its products are available not only all over the Cape but throughout Massachusetts. The tasting room is centrally located in downtown Orleans, making it easily accessible for those staying in the area. The tasting room is open from 11:30 AM until 11 PM seven days a week, so you'll have plenty of time to get down there to sample the exceptional beers they have available. Live entertainment and other events are on-site almost every night of the week, especially in July and August, allowing you to make a full evening out of your time at Hog Island.
Naukabout Beer Company
Although it sits just off Main Street in Mashpee, Naukabout Brewery and Taproom is a hidden gem that can be difficult to find. That is because it is on Lake Avenue near Attaquin Park, an area with dense tree cover and not much traffic unless, of course, you're visiting the beach. After spending a day at the beach on Mashpee Pond, it makes complete sense to hit up this beer company for a pint or two. Once you get to this Cape Cod brewery, however, you'll quickly see why it is worth seeking it out, as they specialize in hop-forward beers that craft beer drinks love. The offerings at the brewery are always changing, however, as they're continually experimenting and trying to make their beer even better. While there is no food available inside the tasting room, food trucks are present almost every day in the summer, and there is often live entertainment, as well.
Barnstable Brewing
Barnstable Brewing just opened in September 2017, and ran into some early troubles, mostly because they had a one-barrel pilot system, which limited the amount of beer they could make at one time. As a result, they would run out of beer always every week, making it difficult to build a loyal fan base. Now, however, the company has a 30-barrel steam brewhouse, so they are firing on all cylinders and shouldn't run into that problem ever again. The taphouse, which sits on West Main Street in Hyannis, is open from noon until 6 PM every day during the summer, although it occasionally has extended hours during special events or when introducing new beers to the market. There is also a patio, making it a relaxing place to enjoy a beer in the sun.
Cape Cod Beer
Cape Cod Beer has been around since 2004 and grown every year of its existence. The brewery is located on Phinneys Lane in Hyannis and is open from 10 AM until 6 PM during the week, and 11 to 4 on Saturdays. The location is child and pet-friendly, so you don't have to ditch the family to head in for a sample. The main draw at Cape Cod Beer is its outdoor beer garden. This beer garden features games and has patio furniture, and creates an all-around festive atmosphere, especially during the summer. The beer garden moves indoors in the winter, so if you choose to vacation on Cape Cod during the off-season, you don't have to miss out. The beer company also participates in countless events away from its storefront and has an on-site farmer's market on Fridays. If you visit a local music festival, beer garden, or concert, there's a good chance the event will serve Cape Cod Beer. Since its presence is everywhere, you'd have to go out of your way to not taste a Cape Cod Beer offering at least once this holiday.
Sea Dog Brew Pub
Sea Dog is the lone brewpub on this list, and it is undoubtedly worth checking out. Not only does this location brew its own beers, but Sea Dog also serves beer crafted by other local breweries, so if you don’t have time to travel the Cape visiting various taprooms, one trip to the brewpub might suffice. Of course, since this brewery doubles as a pub, you can also order a meal, which is something that you’ll find appealing if you plan to stay for more than a pint or two. Sea Dog is located in South Yarmouth just off Route 6, making it easily accessible, especially if your vacation rental is somewhere on the Mid-Cape.
Planning Ahead
Of course, any time you'll be consuming alcohol, it's necessary to plan your transportation. Make sure you have a safe ride back to your Cape Cod vacation rental. Cape Cod has numerous taxi companies, as well as Uber and Lyft, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding transportation. There's also the public bus system, which is efficient if you aren't traveling too far.
Visiting these breweries and sampling some local beers is a great way to spend a couple of days during your vacation. Get out there and see what you can find!
Barnstable Brewing Beer Cape Cod Beer Cape Cod Breweries Devils Purse Hog Island Naukabout Sea Dog Brew Pub