Recently on a weekend getaway to popular Cape Cod during an early spring weekend. I had first become aware of Cape Cod Beer from local restaurant's that serve their beer. The one I had tried was called "Cape Cod Red" which is their most popular year round offering. I had enjoyed it but admittedly knew little about it. I had occasionally seen their delivery trucks in the area also. They had also recently begun selling their "Cape Cod Red" and lighter Lager "Beach Blonde"(for those who want something more traditional) in 16 oz. cans . So when my girl and I were searching for something to do on a rainy weekend it sounded like a great idea.
Fighting crappy wifi at our hotel while enjoying a Cape Cod Red I looked up their website and was finally able find an address and made plans to find the brewery in the morning. After a nice breakfast we set out find Cape Cod's only brewery. It is located in Hyannis, Massachusetts made famous by the late President Kennedy. The area ais full of shoping mall, tourist trap stuff , hotels and motel's of varying degree of budget's and yet still manages to hold onto some of the New England coastal charm.
Just past a shopping mall and in a small industrial park Cape Cod Beer is inside an aluminum sided building with store front with a more traditional siding . We are about 15 minutes early before the door opens so we wait in the car as it's lightly raining outside. We notice others have started to pull up too. With about 5 minutes to go a small crowd has begun to gather near the front do so we decide to join them in the rain. Just as it turned 11:00am the doors open. Tours are only once a day so it's a good idea get there at opening, like we did, to get the tour.
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| Tami Donoghue |
The retail space is relatively small and narrow. On left is a small area with taps where you can get samples or a full size pint to try (which I'll come back too late). The central main area has home-brew supplies, beer books, shirts, hats, glasses and locally crafted stuff too. To extreme fa end is a register ,cooler and more taps for those looking to refill growlers. In the center is set of glass doors leading to the production area. After the space fills up with people these doors open and the tour begins.
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| Flagship Beer - Cape Cod Red |
The area is roped off . Brew tanks are at the far end of the room with most of the room looking like any other typical production/warehouse. After the room fills up with about 30-40 people our host, Tami Donoghue(Retail manager) begins telling us about Cape Cod Beer. Tami tells us the history behind this local brew which is celebrating it's tenth year. With energy and humor also tells a bit how the beer is made and passes samples of malts and hops. On the wall behind her is also posters and items describing the what Cape Cod Beer has to offer.
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| Yum! |
Once Tami is done we are free to check out the displays and or go back to the retail side for sample(of course). In the sample area you can get five 3 ounces samples and you can keep the glass. you can also have a pint also and both are $5. I tried the IPA, Blonde, 10 year Anniversary Pale Ale, and Common. I also tried a "Black Van Lager" which my girlfriend had tried and was very impressed by. Sadly we were told this one was a one time brew most likely won't be offered again. I did end up purchasing a 22 oz. bottle of this to enjoy later as I liked it a lot too. I hope they change their mind on this one.
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| Black Van Lager |
Some helpful pointers:
If you want the tour show up early. They only do it once a day(as of this writing) and is done soon after it opens. If you show up late you may miss out.
The beer is fresh. This means it should be kept cool due to lack of preservatives. If you come for growlers, bottles or cans it may be a good idea to bring ice and a cooler.
They do have a limited distribution area which is the tip of Provincetown to historic Plymouth Massachusetts. Which I believe will be that way for sometime. The website does have a link to find their beers locally.
So if you find yourself on Cape Cod and love craft brews this would be a terrific spot to stop at. They support everything Cape Cod and love what they do. I hope to enjoy their brews on a regular basis for a long time to come.
Cape Cod Beer
1336 Phinney's Lane
Hyannis, Massachusetts
