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Massachusetts Has One Of The Best American Breweries

Going directly to the brewery is one of the best ways to get fresh beer. Being in the taproom and taking in the atmosphere locally is a bonus. If you’re…

Beautiful colorful beer sample glasses at microbrewery. Breweries concept.
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Going directly to the brewery is one of the best ways to get fresh beer. Being in the taproom and taking in the atmosphere locally is a bonus. If you’re looking for breweries that are just a drive away, Best Life, a lifestyle magazine, compiled a list of what they believe are the best American breweries to visit this year.

A Massachusetts Brewery Makes The List

Making it into the top 5 is Notch Brewing in Salem, Massachusetts. "Salem, Massachusetts has a reputation rooted in history that draws in crowds of visitors every year," they said. “But the sight of the infamous witch trials also has more than its fair share of contemporary draws—including its beer scene,” they added. The ranking points out that this brewery is a great place to get a glimpse of the culture and enjoy good beer.

This brewery has two Massachusetts locations. One located at 283R Derby St., Salem, and the other located at 525 Western Ave., Brighton.

Each location hosts public events. Some include Meters For Liters, Notch Run Club, Skeeball Night, Brewery Crawls, and others.

On June 8, Notch Brewing will be hosting a Forever Lager music and beer festival in Brighton. According to the event website, the event includes 25 breweries from across the US serving 50 lagers. There will also be live music from 7 national and local acts on the "biergarten stage."

Top 4 Best American Breweries

According to the lifestyle magazine, Port City Brewing Company in Alexandria, Virginia, takes the top spot. "If you happen to stop by, there's also likely to be something going on," they said. They were highlighted for having a variety of beer choices, occasional guest taps, and constant events.

Taking spot number two on their list is Denver, Colorado’s Ratio Beerworks. The ranking pointed out that the brewery is a punk rock and music-themed space, which makes it even more enjoyable.  Someone also highlighted that the staff is all trained to spot unwelcome or aggressive behavior and takes pride in being a safe place.

In the top three is Von Trapp Brewery & Bierhall in Stowe, Vermont. "Von Trapp Brewing—founded by descendants of the same family portrayed in The Sound of Music—allows visitors to revel in nature and a facility that feels like they've been transported to another country," said the magazine.

On the list at number 4 is Lost Generation Brewing Company in Washington, D.C. This beer stop can be made between museum and monument trips when visiting the nation’s capital. According to the ranking, not only would you find their in-house brew, but you can also sip beer from surrounding areas.  

Take a look at the complete list of the best American breweries to visit this year here.

Kayla is the midday host on Detroit’s 105.1 The Bounce. She started her career in radio back in 2016 as an intern at another Detroit station and worked her way here. She's made stops in Knoxville, TN, Omaha, Ne and other places before returning to Detroit. She’s done almost everything in radio from promotions to web, creating content on social media, you name it. She’s a true Michigander, born and raised. So, you can catch her camping or vacationing up north to exploring the downtown Detroit or maybe even catching a sports game. During her free time, Kayla enjoys watching movies, roller-skating, crafting, and music festivals. She and her husband together dip into many of the great things Michigan has to offer. Together they also like to travel. A few hobbies of hers include wine and beer tastings, crafting, hiking, roller skating, movies, home improvement projects, gardening, and festivals. She’s always looking to take on more local events happening in the community. She loves connecting with the community. When writing, Kayla covers topics including lifestyle, pop culture, trending stories, hacks, and urban culture.