Description: One of the best attractions that I happened upon whilst in Boston was the tour of the Samuel Adams Brewery, located at 30 Germania St. (Jamaica Plain neighbourhood). There is a T (subway) station about 5 minutes away on foot. For more information, call (617) 368-5080.
You don’t need to book to go on the tour, but I would recommend turning up early, as tours are very limited and held Thursdays at 2pm, Fridays at 2pm and 5:30pm, and Saturdays at noon, 1pm, and 2pm (additional tours are held on Wednesdays at 2pm from May 1 through August 31). The best part about the tour is that it is free, although a very small $2 donation is requested!
As you enter the old warehouse, you are greeted with exhibits that allow you learn a little about the history of the Samuel Adams brewery and its founder, as well as about the brewing process and the deep connection of the beer with Boston and its people. You can also view some of the many, many awards that the beers have won.
The fun then starts as your tour guide arrives. Ours was a young college student who had just turned 21 and was obviously very thrilled by the fact that he could lead this tour and was allowed to drink! The guided tour portion lasts about 40 minutes as you are walked through the anecdotal history of the brewery and learn a little about the natural brewing processes still employed. Although this isn’t the longest or most in-depth brewery tour that you will ever take. it is certainly the most light-hearted and fun!
Although no beer for selling is actually made at this site anymore, they do make new beers here, so you can see the working machinery.
The end of the tour is the beer-tasting session in an almost Germanic-style bierkeller environment. Please note that you need to show ID to go in here, and they are strict! The beer is free and flows for about half an hour as new friends as are made and the volume grows louder and louder. We got to try about four different types of beers, including the original Samuel Adams and special brews. At the end you even get a free souvenir glass to keep and a chance to make some purchases in the shop. Be warned that people tend to spend lots, as they have just received lost of free things and have had a few drinks.
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