Dorchester Brewing

Boston

By in Uncategorized Comments Off on Exciting Announcement and Changes Heading into 2021

Exciting Announcement and Changes Heading into 2021

From our local small business, we are wishing you a wonderful holiday season! We couldn’t have possibly made it throughout the year, without you, our loyal customers, community, family, friends and staff. It’s been incredible to feel as supported and loved as we have over these past few months. As we continue to do our best in this challenging year, we have some exciting news to end the year.

The good news is that people are drinking beer (well obviously!) and even more so at home. These past few months have given us the opportunity to get our cans out into the market with a growing list of over 100 retail and restaurant locations throughout Massachusetts. Since we’ve opened our doors in 2016, starting with purely partner brewing and a small Tap Room, moving to a small lineup of cans and today watching our beer take off throughout the state (not to mention the restaurant, Hopservatory and Tap Room expansion that happened last year), it’s exciting to see how much Dorchester Brewing Company has grown.

To continue to grow our distribution and brand footprint throughout the state, we’ve entered into a partnership with a fellow small business distributor, Craft Collective, whom we’ve worked with over the past few years. As a local brand themselves, dedicated to local communities, we feel confident that it’s a natural fit to partner together. By teaming up with Craft Collective, we are supporting a local small business that really understands how to represent someone like us. We’re excited to see where this partnership takes us!

Another positive thing that’s come out of these past few months is that we’ve really been able to focus on our beer offering. We are announcing our lineup of DBco canned beers out in the market: 3 IPAs, a Golden Ale and a seasonal, rotating sour. We also renamed two of our beers to better showcase Dorchester and our love for neighborhood we call home. Our V1 Double IPA is now O.F.D. Double IPA and our Clapp’s Cream Ale is now Neponset Gold.

Why the change? Our cans are finding their way across the state. And we wanted to better represent Dorchester.  I mean. Honestly. Who doesn’t love the new names OFD and Neponset Gold.  😉 Same great recipes.  Same great taste. Drink up friends!

To that end, meet our new lineup and look for us in a retail store near you.

By in News Comments Off on Tap Room Update

Tap Room Update

It’s with sadness and hope that we have made the proactive decision to close the Tap Room and restaurant for on-site consumption for eating and drinking starting on January 1st through March 1st. Based on what we have seen over the last few weeks, we have to do our part to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and keep our staff, community and customers safe. We hope this encourages others to do the same including the City and State who should frankly just shut restaurants down at this point. Small businesses and restaurants can not operate in the current climate and with all the appropriate restrictions. 

It’s the right thing to do now. For the staff and our community that we love.

We need your help to weather this next storm and are asking you for your continued support that you’ve given us over this past year. The Tap Room and restaurant will be open during this period for take out and delivery (just like last spring). Please help us by buying to-go beer (as well as cider, wine and merch/swag) as well as BBQ from M&M. We have a lot of delicious, fresh beer that you can drink from the comfort of your own home. All of your purchases make a big impact on our small business, especially during this time. We cannot express our gratitude for your continued support. We will get through this together. 

Leading up to January, 1st, we are open normal business hours and operating for on-site eating and drinking daily 11:30am-9:30pm. Please stop by and stock up on beer in the meantime. And join us for our New Year’s Eve 4-course tasting dinner with M&M BBQ – as of right now there are a few tickets left (Heads up, this will likely sell out!). Grab your ticket here.

Stay safe. See you for takeout in the New Year and may 2021 be an all-around better year for everyone!

New Hours (as of 1/1/21)

Open for takeout: Tuesday-Sunday 11:30am-7:30pm.

Delivery: Order by Wednesday at 6pm for Thursday delivery (within an 8 mile radius of Boston)

By in Meet Our Team Comments Off on Meet our Team: Brad Johnson, Lead Bartender

Meet our Team: Brad Johnson, Lead Bartender

As we continue to share the faces and stories of our team members, we can’t help but appreciate their dedication shown during this pandemic. They are truly the lifeblood of Dorchester Brewing Company as we make our way through this challenging time. To that, here’s another Meet the Team Blog post, introducing Brad Johnson, one of our kick-ass Lead Bartenders, helping to make your experience at DBco as awesome as possible!

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

I grew up in South Carolina, but moved to Boston for work after I graduated from Clemson. I spend my free time mountain biking, streaming on Twitch, and appreciating craft beer. I have lived in Boston since 2017 and fell in love with the city. I ride my bike everywhere so please say “hi” if you see me!


How did you get into craft beer and bartending? 

I started at DBco part time as a door person while I was doing sales. It’s been such a fun place to work that when the expansion opened up I took the full time position bartending.


What do you like best about the industry?

The people! Everyone is so fun and passionate about what they do. Boston is a great place for microbreweries and the energy is contagious.


Favorite part of your job

Introducing people to beer. Lots of people come in not knowing much about beer. It’s always great to pass on knowledge and get others as excited about brews as I am.


Favorite beer style?

Juicy New England IPAs, all day, every day!


Favorite DBco beer?

Clapp’s Cream Ale. I know the Lightyear Journey fits my favorite style description but Clapp’s Cream is nearly a perfect ale.


Favorite M&M BBQ item?


Brisket dumpster fries! No contest.

By in Meet Our Team Comments Off on Meet our Team: Allison Cherundolo, Lead Bartender

Meet our Team: Allison Cherundolo, Lead Bartender

Even though our staff may be masked up when you come to visit next, we want to share the friendly faces of our staff when you visit the Tap Room! Meet Allison Cherundolo, a Virginia native who is setting down roots in Dorchester and thrives on the sense of community! Next time you swing by the Tap Room, make sure to say hello!

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

I’m from Virginia originally and while I really miss being surrounded by the mountains, I’ve loved the last 2+ years living in Dorchester! I moved to Boston after graduation to complete a year of public service with City Year Boston. After an amazing experience with CYB, I tried a few new things before coming back to several of my other passions. I love sunshine, being outside, and keeping a busy schedule.

How did you get into this line of work?

I graduated from James Madison University (Harrisonburg, VA) with a degree in Hospitality Management and a Minor in Nonprofit Studies. A lot of my undergrad time was focused on connecting to the Harrisonburg community through the world of event management. I was looking for the perfect way to combine a meaningful connection with the community and my love for events….And I think that’s exactly what’s happening at Dorchester Brewing Company!

What do you like best about working in a brewery?

I love creating a sense of community and I think that’s something so special that happens in the tap room! People are creating memories with friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors and we get to be part of that. One of the most meaningful pieces of advice I’ve gotten is ”Our lives are happening every day and Tuesdays and Wednesdays are heralding our attention.” I love seeing that played out in the tap room!

Favorite part of your job?

I like the creativity and problem solving that comes with the role. Especially in current times each day our entire team (and industry) is challenged with new ways to ensure the experience is safe and enjoyable. I love the fast pace that is guaranteed with this industry. 

Favorite beer style?

I really love an Irish Red Ale. My favorite brewery in Harrisonburg has a great one; Pale Fire’s Red Molly! I love the style but I also love all the memories associated with the beer and the appreciation for the brewery scene in Harrisonburg. 

Favorite DBco beer?

I really love Embarrassment of Riches. I also love that the Helles is a 4-pack option because it’s such a crisp clean drink; a summer essential for sure! 

Favorite M&M Ribs item

I’m a vegetarian so I know a fair amount about French fries & wow M&M knows what they’re doing!


By in Meet Our Team Comments Off on Meet our Team: Brendan MacDermott, Packaging Line/Sales

Meet our Team: Brendan MacDermott, Packaging Line/Sales

Here at DBco, we love that our staff members are so passionate about what they do and love to see them grow as individuals and in their career. So when Brendan joined the Packaging Line and showed his chops at as a team player, he was an obvious choice to support our sales growth when we started to dip our toes into the wholesale beer game. In the last year and a half, we went from canning our first 4-packs and only selling them in-house to offering 8 different varieties of 4-packs, which are sold at over 60 locations throughout retail and restaurants in the Boston area. (Check out our map to see all of the locations!) Read on to learn more about Brendan, our Packaging Line team member who also supports sales.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’ve been in the Boston area my whole life, I grew up on the South Shore and I live in Quincy now, less than 5 miles from the brewery. Along with being active and lots of sports, I love any activity that includes drinking beer, like Cornhole at a backyard BBQ, golfing, or just spending a day at the beach. I also love to travel and visit other breweries, especially in New England.  

How did you get into craft beer industry and end up at DBco?

I actually have a background in wine. I graduated from Sonoma State University with a degree in Wine Business Management. But here in Boston there aren’t many opportunities to grow in the wine industry and I jumped at the chance to be a part of the growing craft beer scene. When I saw a job opening at DBco, I quickly grabbed up that opportunity and hopped on the packaging line. Since then, I’ve continued to package up the beer while also growing into a sales role as DBco started to ramp up their wholesale business.

What are your dual roles at DBco and what you do day-to-day.

I start early in the morning at the brewery on the packaging line.  I assist in preparing and sanitizing our packaging line and getting a batch of beer ready to be filled in either cans or kegs or both.  During a packaging “run” the line is very quick with plenty of moving pieces, so I help maintain quality control and efficiency. After our first packaging run, I begin my second part of the day as an account manager for the wholesale team. I’m part of our sales team that handles Dorchester, Quincy and the South Shore.  

What do you like best about the beer industry?

It’s craft as well as an art. I feel like I’m a collaborator and seller of these fantastic pieces of art. Whether it’s a keg of Cream Ale or a can of V1 Double IPA, you have something to see, hold, taste, and appreciate. But, yes, also part of quality control is tasting beer. I mean, part of my job requires me to taste beer before 8am! There aren’t many industries or jobs that mix art, science, and drinking beer in the morning.

Favorite part of your job?

I absolutely love being able to see the DBco brand on the shelves of retail stores, bars and restaurants. There’s so much that goes into that can of beer and I know it’s rewarding to everybody that works in the brewery from ownership, bartenders, brewers, to packaging line personnel to see their beer in the market being enjoyed by thousands of people.

Favorite beer style?

I enjoy so many styles of beer because I’m exposed to and have the opportunity to try so many styles Typically, my favorite beer style would correlate to what I was doing, eating, or the season. If I’m spending the day in the backyard playing Cornhole my choice would be an ice cold lager. I’d probably choose a heavy stout if I’m on the mountain taking a break from skiing!

Favorite DBco beer?

Cream Ale, it’s my Gatorade.

By in Meet Our Team Comments Off on Meet Our Team: Associate General Manager, Cody Grabowski

Meet Our Team: Associate General Manager, Cody Grabowski

When we were opening up our expanded space and moving the Tap Room from about 2,000 square feet to over 9,000 square feet, we knew we’d need to call in the big guns. For us, that included expanding our current staff and bringing in an Associate General Manager to oversee the entire Tap Room. With that, we are beyond excited to have Cody Grabowski join our team and take helm a few months back to officially open our new space. If you’ve spent any time in the Tap Room recently, you’ve probably met him already, but today we’re officially introducing you to Cody. Read on to learn more:

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

I grew up in Western Massachusetts. I have never moved out of the state, but I have moved around a lot and have resided in Dorchester for the past 12 years. I love it here! I am so happy to be a part of Boston. It just feels like home. I like to do a lot of things which include dining out, watching movies, taking care of my dog Quinn, and traveling whenever possible. When it comes to the weekends, you will find me at work. That is one thing that I like about this industry, on my end. My “weekends” fall  into the middle of the week, which I find to be a bit more relaxing.

How did you get into craft beer and bartending/managing?

I have a passion for knowledge when it comes to food and beverages. I try to put myself out there to try new things and learn as much as I can. I was working recently down the street where we were trying to bring in a lot more craft beers. We were carrying Dorchester Brewing Company’s V1 Double IPA and Clapp’s Cream Ale already, but I was able to start to try to more beer as time went on, as our beer list was in constant rotation. It got me excited about tasting different beers I have not had before.

What do you like best about the industry and working in a brewery?

I have always worked in the hospitality industry, from serving to bartending, to managing. I love people. I love to make sure that people have a great experience and really enjoy themselves. When an opportunity opened up at Dorchester Brewing Company, I immediately thought that this could be such a great new adventure, and I am very happy that I have been able to be apart of such a great team!  

Favorite part of your job?

The team! Being able to work together makes having a super fast paced job easier, because you know that everyone has your back. 

Favorite beer style?

I’d say I have a couple. I love a good porter and when I want something completely different, I’ll take a good sour.

Favorite DBco beer?

Stove by a Whale

Favorite M&M BBQ item?

The Columbia Road