I recently came across an old guest post I published for my good friends, the Mass Brew Bros, in November 2016 about the growing southeastern Massachusetts craft beer scene. Looking back seven years later, with a focus on the SouthCoast, there’s plenty of great beer available with no sign of stopping.
However, I was obviously a bit biased (and still probably am), about what this craft beer boom would look like for New Bedford. At the time, one brewery was open, another was on the way, and there were even whispers of a third. But now, while it’s even easier to find a plethora of beers on tap or on shelves, even less of it is being brewed in the city.
Where’s the fresh beer?
As today’s only Greater New Bedford area brewery, Moby Dick Brewing Company continues to serve both great beer and tasty bites and is currently expanding its Union Street brewpub. The tap list often features a handful of core beers with a nice rotation of a few new offerings and regular cask tappings.
Greasy Luck Brewery, whose soft opening was highlighted in the 2016 post, stopped brewing beer altogether in 2018. It subsequently closed its doors for a brief period, changed ownership and concepts, and later reopened as The Vault Music Hall & Pub with a primary focus as a music and events venue.
Cisco Brewers opened a beachfront destination, Cisco Brewers Kitchen & Bar, on East Rodney French Blvd. in the summer of 2021. No beer is brewed at the location, but there’s plenty of Cisco beer on tap along with a full bar. Seafood dominates the dining room menu while there are a variety of food options in the expansive outdoor area.
Not to worry, there’s still plenty of great beer being brewed nearby. Neighboring SouthCoast communities have welcomed several breweries over the last few years, including Troy City Brewing and Canned Heat Craft Beer Company in Fall River, and Lucky Goat Brewing and the Stone Path Malt taproom in Wareham. And, of course, local favorite Buzzards Bay Brewing in Westport just celebrated 25 years of farm-fresh brews.
What else is new since 2016?
Sure, there’s not a lot of beer getting brewed in New Bedford, but access to craft beer and cocktails has expanded over the last half-decade.
Cultivator Shoals officially opened in Oct. 2016, but I hadn’t visited until after publishing the old 2016 post, so I say it belongs on this list! Cult is my go-to spot for creative house cocktails tried and true classics. I swear to this day, they’ve made the best Old Fashion I’ve ever ordered at a bar. The kitchen also continues to change up the menu with fun and tasty offerings regularly.
PLAY Arcade opened across the street during the height of the COVID pandemic, but nothing could stop Adam and his fun-for-all-ages arcade bar concept. It’s the perfect spot for the whole family or for a night out with friends, featuring a solid rotation of craft beer and seasonal cocktails. And don’t you dare leave without ordering the Tetris Tots, which are still the most perfectly crispy tots I’ve ever tried.
Downtown’s newest spot, Sixes & Sevens, opened this past spring. From the folks that brought you The Speedwell Tavern in Plymouth, this spot has all the same fun and energetic atmosphere. The food features plenty of innovative spins on classic dishes and the bar has no shortage of crowd-pleasing libations.
Don’t call it a comeback
By no means a new face in the crowd, dNB Craft Kitchen moved down the corner from its original Elm St. spot to Purchase St. in early 2020. It’s still my absolute favorite burger joint on the SouthCoast (and beyond, to be quite honest) and is home to one of the best vibes in the city.
Just a few doors down is the storied Pour Farm Tavern. This is a place I hold near and dear to my suds-loving heart since it’s where I first started trying new and exciting craft beers. Its tap list has always been unbeatable and things have only gotten more exciting after a change in ownership in March 2022. In addition to serving an always-rotating selection of some of the best beers, the kitchen has totally stepped things up and has even entered the South Shore Bar Pie (SSBP) arena.
Speaking of SSBP, The Dipper Cafe is one more spot that’s experienced lots of success after opening under new owners in late 2022. They’ve been making well-deserved waves with their pies all over social media. Best of all, you’ll be welcomed at the bar like a regular on your first visit.
While there might not be any new breweries in the area any time soon, I think we’ve got it pretty good in New Bedford. With so many different drinking and dining options, it’s hard not to find something for whatever mood you’re in. The area’s service industry also continues to grow stronger each year with some exciting developments in the works that are sure to add to the unparalleled Whaling City experience.
Photo by BDS.Photo on Unsplash
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