WORCESTER—We are chugging through the height of the microbrew revolution and, all other matters aside, that makes it a great time to be alive. It’s unclear how the revolution took flight here in our fair city.
Perhaps it was through the good work of the Armsby Abbey folks and their tireless efforts to introduce highly sought-after, small-batch drafts to their clientele. Perhaps it has been in the influx of college students we see year after year bringing with them a flair for entrepreneurship. However it began, it’s pretty boastful that Worcester has no fewer than seven breweries operating well within its borders, and a few more in its surrounding towns.
Let’s meet these pour people:
1. Wormtown Brewery, 72 Shrewsbury St.
Year Established: 2010 (Original Location)
2015 (Shrewsbury St Location)
Founded by: Tom Oliveri, Richard Clarke, Jay Clarke and Kary Shumway
Specialty: IPAs that showcase Worcester Pride
Fan Favorite: Blizzard of ‘78
Events: Multiple spaces available for a variety of private events
What started as an ice cream stand extension has now become the OG of beer brewing in Worcester. Wormtown is ubiquitous in liquor stores all over New England, including CT and Rhode Island. Offering more IPAs of both hazy and hoppy styles, plus a few seasonal options, their homage to Wormtown is especially evinced by their TableTalk Ale Series, incorporating Worcester’s very own TableTalk Pies into eminently drinkable elixirs. Summertime is still six months away, but it feels just a bit closer when you’re sipping some Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Ale.
What they have to say:
“At Wormtown we believe there is joy to be found in every day and we are committed to finding new reasons to put a smile on your face. We do this by making approachable beverages for all individuals, celebrating the small things, and keeping a focus on giving back to our community. Our brewery has flourished into a community-driven business with two taprooms and has earned the esteemed title of the Official Hometown Brewery of the Worcester Red Sox. Our team’s dedication to the quality of our product has won us over 300 awards worldwide. Our success is rooted in our passion for individuality, and dedication to our community, and the excellent team we have. We aim to inspire others to embrace their uniqueness and make their own path just like we have.”
2. Redemption Rock Brewery, 333 Shrewsbury St.
Year Established: 2019
Founded by: Dani Babineau, Dan Carlson and Greg Carlson
Specialty: Beer for the People, accessibility
Fan Favorite: Biere de Fête
Events: Live music, food trucks, pop-ups, poetry, book clubs, board games and many more
Built by exactly the kind of grassroots activism that is often associated with Worcester, Redemption Rock Brewery is as much a brewery as it is a love song to the proletariat. So much careful conscientiousness is perfectly woven into the business that consumers can practically taste the harmony. The space is open and welcoming to people of all ages, which makes it an attractive destination for parents of humans and dogs everywhere.
What they have to say:
“Redemption Rock Brewing is all about ‘beer for the people.’ That is, we work to benefit our community through craft beer. Our taproom space is not only bright, dynamic, and comfortable, but accessible, welcoming, and safe for all. Our beers are flavorful, diverse, and approachable and we offer a wide range of non-beer options, including a full cafe program with coffee, espresso, and tea, plus housemade lemonade, seltzers, and more.
We’re also the only certified Benefit Corporation, or B Corp, craft brewery in the state – largely due to our support from the local community. We source from other local small businesses as often as possible, collaborate with local nonprofits, businesses, and institutions, and work to raise funds for nonprofits that touch all parts of the community.”
3. Greater Good, 55 Millbrook St. #2804
Year Established: 2015
Founded by: Paul Wengender
Specialty: All Imperial Brewing
Fan Favorite: Pulp Daddy
Events: Live music, trivia and more
If you’ve ever wondered whether beer and biotech are a winning combination (and who hasn’t?), then Greater Good Brewing is the resounding yes. Paul Wengender sold his Blue Sky Biotech company and was looking for a new direction when he stumbled into his love for beer brewing. His passion for resolving the bitterness caused by high ABV imperials led to the creation of the first All-Imperial Beer Brewing company right here in Worcester. If you’ve ever tried any GG offerings, then you can attest that they are nothing if not smooth.
What they had to say:
“Greater Good Imperial Brewing Company owns the trademark of ‘America’s All-Imperial Brewing Company’ – we are the only brewery in America that specializes in brewing only high-ABV (alcohol by volume) beers. All of our beers are either 8% ABV or higher, regardless of style, and our brewers have pushed the boundaries of traditionally lighter styles of beer to get them to 8%+. In short, we are pros at ‘imperializing’ beers that typically aren’t strong.
“Greater Good Imperial Brewing features the giant moose skull as our main logo to symbolize the magnitude of our beers. It’s the largest land mammal in New England to represent the largest beers! Each September, Greater Good hosts Imperial Fest at our brewery in Worcester where we host 30-40 breweries from around the country to feature their strongest beers. It’s a great event with live music, food trucks and a fan vote for ‘best Imperial beer.’ Greater Good also runs a program in the taproom called ‘Acts of Greater Good’ where each month we highlight one local nonprofit. Each Thursday of the month is our ‘Acts of Greater Good’ day in which $1 from each beer sold in the brewpub is donated to the featured organization. It is a great way for us to give back to the community while living up to the name Greater Good.”
4. Bay State Brewing, 112 Harding St.
Year Established: 2012
Founded by: Shawn Rich and Chip Jarry
Specialty: Sports beers
Fan Favorite: Becky Likes The Smell
Events: Live music, trivia and more
Borne out of a love for Marzen, a German-style beer, Bay State Brewery is dedicated simply to ‘making great beers. They are best known for having some of the most distinctive artwork on their cans. The signature style includes images of women drawn in the pinup tradition while remaining nonexploitative.
What they had to say:
“We opened the taproom on leap day in 2020. Obviously, it was a complicated transition getting off the ground. Nevertheless, we are excited to celebrate our first iteration of the exact anniversary: Feb. 29, 2024. We are planning a big party for it and brewing some of our favorites. We have a good team and a good process, and we love what we do here. Beer is just our passion and we use it as a way of celebrating our city.”
5. Courthouse Brew Company, 3 Brussels St., Suite 120
Year Established: 2023
Founded by: Daniel Whalen & Mark Gawlak
Specialty: Craft beers with a jurisprudent bend
Fan Favorite: Attractive Nuisance
Events: Not yet; working on licensing
Named to honor their previous life as lawyers, Courthouse Brew also had a false start on the brink of 2020. The delay, however, propelled Gawlak & Whalen, founders and owners of Courthouse into their current locale on Brussels Street: a small but up-and-coming corner of Worcester brimming with hip businesses. After many years of working for the courts, long-time friends redirected their energy toward entrepreneurship and the pursuit of flavor. The brewery is the newest on our list, but really leaning into its niche of creative brewing.
What they have to say:
“We believe that Courthouse Brew Company is the speakeasy of breweries in the city of Worcester. A destination a little off the beaten path, with craft beer and curated snack plates. We strive to provide a friendly atmosphere with a full bench of beers from fruited IPAs to red ales to stouts. We are currently working on our permits for live entertainment and will continue launching new styles of beer and have some collaborations on the horizon.”
6. Wachusett Brew Yard, 152 Green St.
Year Established: 1993
Founded by: Ned LaFortune & Co.
Specialty: Craft beers for the outdoors
Fan Favorite: Sir Veza
Events: Live music, bingo, line dancing and more
Wachusett Brew Yard is the oldest brewery on our list and arguably the one with the widest reach. Their passion for brewing is matched perhaps only by their love for the outdoors. If you are someone who enjoys combining mountaineering with beer drinking, head on over to the Wachusett Brew Yard site for a veritable litany of options.
What They Had To Say:
“Wachusett Brewing Company prides itself on producing a diverse portfolio of handcrafted beers and seltzers, high-quality food offerings and a family-friendly environment. Our Westminster location is only a couple of miles away from Wachusett Mountain and offers special food offerings and ample live entertainment. In the summer, the Brew Woods is the perfect place to bring a family and your furry friends. In Worcester, Wachusett offers the same high-quality beer and seltzer offerings, which can be paired with a diverse range of food vendors in the Public Market. Only steps away from Polar Park, it is the perfect spot to visit while downtown.”
7. Double Down Brewing Company, 455b Park Ave. (Peppercorn’s)
Year Established: 2021
Founded by: Tom Oliveri, Christian McMahon and Brian Wells
Specialty: Creating World-Class Beers
Fan Favorite: White Rabbit
Events: Because Double Down is partnered with Peppercorn’s, all events can be found at Peppercorn’s website
In a move as ingenious as anything, Peppercorn’s Restaurant owner Tom Oliveri seized the opportunity to capitalize on the adjacent space and turn it into its own signature brewery. Partnering with Wormtown’s Christian McMahon and brewer Brian Wells, they took a chance on Double Down, a Peppercorn’s exclusive brewery.
What They Had To Say:
“I’m thrilled. My passion to create world-class beers is what drives me and to have mentors like Tom and Christian, who share my vision and have so much experience to help me bring it to life, is like a dream come true.”
Honorable Mention: Odd by Nature Brewery, 44 Front St.
Launching soon at the former location of the Midtown Mall, Maine based brewery is opening the doors to their Worcester iteration. Inspired by 90s nostalgia, the brewery space will feature 90s references and décor as well as food provided by DoHo Donuts across the way. Opening date is yet being determined, but stay tuned.
Irena Kaci is a poet and writer living in Worcester, MA with her spouse and two children. She moved to Worcester in 2015, almost a decade after graduating from Clark University. She writes for Pulse, SevenPonds and the Guardian. Her creative work has appeared in the Worcester Review, Atticus Review and the 45 Journal
