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Cape Cod's Rapidly Expanding Craft Beer Scene
Posted by Kinlin Grover | Monday, September 16, 2019

cape cod craft beer

Last summer, we explored the Cape's craft breweries, as it was becoming quite evident that the scene was taking off. Over the past year or so, three more brewers have burst onto the scene, making Cape Cod a must-visit destination for beer aficionados. Brand new tasting rooms are open for business in Sagamore, Falmouth, and Provincetown, so if you are spending time in any of these locations, make sure you check them out.

In addition, there is a craft brewery in Plymouth that deserves attention, giving you somewhere to stop if you take a day off the Cape. Checking out the area's craft breweries is just another way to spend a day or two during your Cape Cod vacation.

 

6A Brewing Company

Seconds after crossing the Sagamore Bridge onto Cape Cod, you'll pass 6A Brewing Company and its new taproom that opened in June 2019. The brewery sits in a building formerly occupied by Flynn's Irish Pub. As the story goes, the brewery's owners started their journey by opening Flynn's in 2011. They soon expanded to three additional locations, each with rotating craft beer taps. In 2017, ownership began brewing beer in a nearby warehouse to sell at local restaurants. By 2019, they had decided to turn one of their pubs into a taproom, giving them the chance to put their creations out there for the public.

The tasting room is small and doesn't serve any food, although food trucks are a possibility in the near future. For now, you can bring your own food to enjoy, as long as you clean up after yourself. The beer here has excellent reviews, with the Soul Radiation IPA, Tiny Gift American Brown Ale, and Open Road German-style Lager being among the most popular. Both draft and cans are available.

 

Provincetown Brewing Company

The Provincetown Brewing Company is a little different from most breweries because it practices "draftivism". Basically, "draftivism" means that the company donates 15% of all profits to causes and organizations that are important to the Outer Cape community, including those supporting LGBTQ+ rights and environmental conservation. In the fall of 2018, for example, the Provincetown Brewing Company celebrated its unofficial launch during an event at Provincetown Town Hall. During this event, the brewery helped raise $2,500 towards a new LGBTQ Welcome Center in the town.

The brewery's actual tasting room didn't open its doors until August of 2019, but it has quickly become a hit with locals and visitors alike. Unlike many taprooms, this location opens at 9:00 AM every morning for breakfast and also serves lunch and dinner. As for the beers, you'll find both cans and draft on the menu. Some of the more popular options include the Bearded Mistress IPA and the Golden Hook Ale.

 

Bad Martha Beer

Bad Martha has been a staple on Martha's Vineyard since 2013, so it isn't a brand new brewery, but its Cape Cod location just opened in September of 2019. This taproom in East Falmouth is entirely self-sufficient, meaning its 15-barrel brewing system is large enough to handle its on-site needs, and provide the products distributed throughout the Cape. The beer here can be purchased as a pint or paddle flight, and free samples are available. Who says there's no such thing as free beer? You can also buy four-packs, growlers, and crowlers to take home with you. Bad Martha is trying to establish itself as a place to hang out with friends, and it's doing a pretty good job of achieving this in its early stages. The brewery has outdoor games and live music, in addition to a diverse food menu that includes pizza, charcuterie platters, bar snacks, and cheese plates.

You'll have to visit Bad Martha a few times if you want to try everything, but some of the more popular offerings include the Half Shell Oyster Stout, Crooked Coast Pale Ale, Shark Bite Lager, and Great Harbor Gose. They have up to 16 beers available at any given time, so you'll have some serious decisions to make. Bad Martha's is located on Route 28, just west of Waquoit Bay.

 

Independent Fermentations Brewing

If you choose to hop off the Cape for a few hours during your vacation, Plymouth is a beautiful place to visit. And while you're there, why not give Independent Fermentations Brewing a try? Known locally as IndieFerm, the brewery uses barley, wheat, and rye that is mostly grown in Massachusetts, although some ingredients come from other parts of the northeast and beyond. On average, about 80% of the ingredients in each brew are local. While you're here, you'll want to try the Farmhouse Red, Boat for Sale Pale Ale, Rye and Sage Saison, or Gratzer, which uses an oak-smoked wheat malt that makes it taste like bacon. Yes, it's weird, but it's also delicious.

IndieFerm Brewery is located on Camelot Drive, just off the Pilgrims Highway and a short distance from The Grove at Plymouth. If you're heading back to your vacation rental after a few hours in Plymouth, make sure you grab a growler or some cans to-go on your way.

 

So Many Choices

By our count, there are now nine craft breweries on Cape Cod, which is incredible considering that just a few years ago, Cape Cod Beer was the only game in town.

This growth is excellent news for beer lovers who will be taking a vacation to the Cape because you'll find somewhere to have a one-of-a-kind pint in many different neighborhoods.

 

Keep in mind that if you're looking to explore these breweries and enjoy a few drinks, the Cape Cod Brew Bus can be your designated driver. Each tour is $89, which includes a beer at each location. This service is a great way to see many of these taprooms in a single day.

6a Brewing Company Bad Martha Beer Cape Cod Brew Bus Craft Beer Flynns Irish Pub Independent Fermentations Brewing Provincetown Brewing Company

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