I think there is a tourist attraction in every city that many locals never see because when it’s that easy to get there, it’s also that easy to put off. I for one have never done a Boston duck tour, nor have I walked the entire Freedom Trail. Another Boston attraction that I had never experienced before was the Sam Adams Brewery.
Last Saturday though, it was the event that kicked off our local girls’ getaway.
While the traditional Boston Lager and popular seasonals tend to come to mind when I think of a Sam Adams, they actually offer a pretty eclectic mix of beers that fall into so many categories. After attending the tour my next goal is to try out more of their ales.
The tour is short and sweet. It is also free, but they do accept donations at the end. We started with an introduction of the main ingredients, which were passed around the entire group.
Sam Adams is the first American beer to pass the German Beer Purity Law and to be sold in Germany, as it is made only from the most basic ingredients – barley, hops, yeast and water.
Next we learned about the entire process. Our tour guide, who was a fun and witty connoisseur, went into the different types and techniques in between sips of a beer that she carried throughout the tour. After our learning session we moved on to the best part – the tasting.
I walked away from the tour with a new appreciation for Sam Adams. An integrity and authenticity is cooked into every batch. On a regular basis they visit every bar that sells their product to ensure that their beer is being poured from a clean tap line. When the bar doesn’t comply, they sacrifice the sale of the product instead of delivering a less than perfect product to consumers.
If you’re traveling to Boston, or if you’re a local like me who is always up for a good beer tasting, I definitely recommend taking the tour.
i love this tour! my tour guide definitely started drinking halfway through. tough job, right?
Ack! I live literally 10 minutes walking distance away from there and I have yet to go. Uh… maybe I’ll get there next weekend?
That sounds like a lot of fun. I always forget about the tourist attractions in my own town. Seems like I only end up enjoying them when people visit me.
This post made me drool a little bit. I remember going on a tour there several years ago and never wanting to leave. Oh Sam Adams, I miss you so…
I was there years ago and have been meaning to go back! Glad it was a good time.
The Freedom Trail is the longest walk EVER. Or so I said as the boyfriend dragged me along it when we visited last year.
Perhaps I should have advocated for the brewery tour instead
i would love to do this, i love going to brewerys and the tours!
i love the freedom trail, and boston! i miss it!