AFTER-WORK DRINKS
EDITORS’ CHOICE
COMMON CRAFT
BURLINGTON
This unique space, once a Sears department store, is now a sort of craft beverage food hall. Currently, four artisanal producers—brewers Exhibit "A" and Idle Hands, Massachusetts-based distributor of artisanal wine Vineyard Road, and distiller Deacon Giles—have lounges surrounding a great room with additional seating. You can stroll between them freely while enjoying a menu of scratch-made comfort food. There’s plenty to do—Skee-Ball and shelves full of board games inside and a large outdoor space with lawn games, Adirondack chairs, and a twice-monthly cornhole league. Special events like an Oktoberfest celebration slated for September keep the party going.
75 Middlesex Tpke., Burlington, 781-365-0513, commoncrafthospitality.com
READERS’ CHOICE
GRANITE COAST BREWING CO.
PEABODY
The crafty tap room at this nano-brewer hosts everything from calligraphy, knitting groups, and trivia to food pop-ups. Families are always welcome, as are leashed dogs, both in the tap room and on the narrow, heated patio. Drop in to unwind over carefully made beers from a wide range of styles, and stay for the chill vibes.
77B Main St., Peabody, 978-595-2775, granitecoastbrewing.com
BEER MENU
EDITORS’ CHOICE
NOTCH BREWING
SALEM
At any one time, you’ll find more than a dozen different brews crafted in house and available on draft in this taproom. Offerings take a lead from top brewing countries in the world, with classics like Session Pils, saluting the pale lagers of the Czech Republic, alongside more unusual offerings like Grodziskie (pronounced Grow-Jees-K’ya), a smoked beer sometimes called Polish champagne. The focus has always been on low-alcohol “sessionable” beers, and the brewery
