Hops, Grapes & Barrels Tour

DAY 1:

• Make your way to Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers in Framingham, via a tour of the city’s “Many Cultures, One Heart” public art project. The 32 heart sculptures represent the diversity of Framingham, and include work by artists of many races, religions, ethnicities, and nationalities. Each heart includes a plaque with a QR code that links to an artist’s video, and is a fascinating look at the many faces of the region.
• At Jack’s Abby, get a behind-the-scenes tour to see how their beer is made, followed by lunch in their newly renovated beer hall and a tasting of their famous lagers. With two dozen choices on tap, including beer hall exclusives, you can try everything from their Smoke & Dagger black lager to the Blood Orange Wheat radler. And be sure to taste one of Jack’s rotating offerings that change weekly. Pair your flight with a wood-fired pizza, some American bar fare, or even a schnitzel sandwich.
• After lunch, head down the street to Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing Company for a flight of their amazing beers—try a crisp German Kolsch, a roasty American porter, a hazy juicy IPA, or one of their taproom-exclusive Brewer’s Special Kegs, and experience all the uniqueness of this local craft brewery.
• Later in the afternoon, take the short drive to Hopkinton to check out the Hopkinton Center for the Arts. One of the region’s largest performing and visual arts centers, HCA includes a rotating gallery of regional work, art workshops and special events, engaging lectures, and live performances, such as their Broadway in Hopkinton series or their famous “A Play, A Pint & A Pie” summer stock production of one act plays. With your ticket price comes a pint of local craft beer and a savory hand pie.
• In the evening, head up the street to Start Line Brewing to discover the many craft brews they have on tap, including a plethora of IPA’s, ales, and stouts, which you can enjoy with a tasty dinner and live music.
• Spend the night at the Sheraton Framingham where relaxation is effortless in their ultra comfortable guestrooms and suites. End the evening with a nightcap at the Postern Grille, the hotel’s classy restaurant and bar.

DAY 2:

• Start the day in the Natick Center Cultural District with a wander of their charming shops featuring everything from jewelry to home décor, clothes to gourmet foods. Don’t miss Dion’s Fine Wine, Spirits & Craft Beer to buy a little something to take home with you to commemorate your libations tour of MetroWest! Make sure to treat yourself to a truly outrageous cupcake from Maine Girl Cupcakes (hey, you’re on vacation, you can have dessert before lunch!)
• Go to Lookout Farm for lunch and a flight of their beautiful ciders brewed on-site. If the weather is nice, sit outside with your succulent BBQ; feeling a bit chilly? Grab a picnic table in The Greenhouse covered dining area while you sip your way through their offerings.
• When sated, head to Franklin with a stop at Putts & More, a great place for a friendly (or highly competitive!) game of mini golf.
• In Franklin, stop in to La Cantina Winery’s tasting room to experience their uniquely regional wines made in the Italian winemaking tradition, such as their Cranberry & Honey wine made from local honey and Cape Cod cranberries. The tasting room offers samples of over two dozen wines, which you can also buy by the bottle. Afterwards, trek over to Dacey Field to try your hand at a round of disc golf on their highly-rated 18-hole course.
• In the evening, explore GlenPharmer, a restaurant and whiskey distillery housed in the historic granite and heavy timber mill buildings of the Brookdale Mill. This premier destination distillery and tasting room offers behind-the-scenes tours, as well as creative, chef-inspired cuisine that embraces the intersection of fine food and craft spirts, making for an excellent conclusion to your MetroWest Boston libations tour.
• Love our breweries as much as we do? Find more of them in the Dining section of our website–click Favorite Places for a complete list. Post pictures of your tour with #WeAreMetroWest, and make plans to come back again!

Scroll down for the complete itinerary with map and links!