Oktoberfest starts as soon as the sun goes down on August 31st. And while we may not have the historical records to back that up, we do have the court of public opinion, which loves to kick off the fall with some quality craft beer. It’s as familiar to fall in New England as pumpkin picking, football tailgating, and road trips to Salem. And who better to guide us on an autumnal journey of complex flavors and hefty ABV than our very own Tiny Spoon Chef and brewery veteran, Chef Matt.
While Matt’s not a licensed beer sommelier, he has worked in multiple breweries, socials clubs, restaurants, and as a personal chef over the course of his career - so it’s fair to say he’s dabbled. An important caveat: he doesn’t believe in beer snobbery. No gatekeeping or beer-shaming here, which, frankly, is a welcome break.
Just some real-life favorites from your local foodie with a passion for fermentation.
Gone are the days of Googling “beer near me” for recommendations, folks (seriously - it’s a top hit on Google) - here are the Tiny Spoon top 5 picks in Greater Boston this fall:
Already located in Salem, Notch is basically begging you to kick off your fall beer tour with them. A tap room founded on the dream of fitting session beer (read: beer with low ABV) into the “U.S.’s hoppy beer infatuation,” Notch is all about really good flavor without an instant hangover. Put simply on their website, “beer enhances our times together, session beer extends them.” Good beer, good friends, and no regrets.
Tucked in the corner of Somerville’s Bow Market, Remnant has the kind of atmosphere (and indoor-outdoor garage door setup) that makes you want to stick around and hang out - and a beer list that basically requires it. While they likely have an IPA or two on draft, they’re equally “passionate about funky saisons, using local and wild ingredients,” meaning they’ll “always have something interesting resting in a barrel.” Their Dream Pop oat ale - Chef Matt’s #1 pick at the moment - is currently on draft. Rumor has it that you may even recognize a familiar face at the bar...
If you’re more comfortable tailgating than you are discussing the nuanced brightness of a craft brew, then Parlor Sports might be the perfect place to test the waters. With an unassuming, comfortable vibe, a game on TV, and a program of local, American, and international craft offerings, it checks off the “good beer, no snobbery” box for the less seasoned beer explorers among us.
A local favorite that’s been getting pretty big as of late is Night Shift. What started as a homebrewing project in a residential kitchen in Somerville is now a decently large distributor - having retained all the passion for interesting and flavorful beer options as it started out with in 2007. Highlights include a great selection of fruity sours and, of course, a variety of New England pale ales. Night Shift tap rooms are currently open on Lovejoy Wharf and in Everett.
Okay fine, this one is technically a restaurant, but it deserves an honorable mention for its killer local beer list. With craft brews from Maine, New York, and all around the Northeast, its commitment to sourcing locally is matched only by its dinner menu, which adheres to a local and sustainable standard. So please, pair your cast iron cheddar cornbread with an extra Belgian Saison. It’s for the sake of local industry.