When we wrote about the Cape Cod Craft Beverage Trail in 2019, we noted that the number of breweries had grown exponentially since Cape Cod Beer, the first microbrewery on the Cape, opened its doors in 2004. Several wineries had joined Truro Vineyards, the first to open, in growing grapes and making wine on our sandy shores.
So, what’s changed since 2019? Everything.
In 2020, when you-know-what hit, visitors flocked to Cape Cod to enjoy its natural beauty and outdoor activities.
When it comes to breweries, distilleries, and wineries, one might not think “outdoor activity” with tours and tastings the primary experience. With everyone wanting to stay outside that fateful summer, Cape Cod creators of adult beverages upped their games, introducing new activities and events, most of which take place outside.
Hog Island Beer Co. is the closest to our Cape Cod beach hotel. Weekend entertainment inside morphs into an outdoor scene at least four nights a week in the peak season, with local talent such as Rockabilly Meltdown, Boston Naturals, and Nikki and the Barn Boys. This is very much an après-beach crowd; expect aging surfer dudes and dudettes, and post-college kids clustered around picnic tables and shaking their groove things on the dance floor. The food menu is standard pub fare elevated, including a stellar burger, solid lobster roll, and littlenecks steamed with chorizo and cherry peppers. They rotate a couple of the taps seasonally, but many of their brewed-in-house beers are available regularly, including the outstanding Outermost IPA.
But, wait. There’s more.
A year to two (or three) ago, Hog Island added a second location in Wellfleet. Smaller than its Orleans flagship, it’s billed as the Hog Island Surf Lodge and Beer Yard, a celebration of the ‘60s surf culture on the Cape. This seasonal operation draws a mixed crowd in the afternoon that morphs into a “let’s-party” younger bunch every night.
Devil’s Purse Brewing Co. hasn’t grown as much as Hog Island in the last five-plus years, but their South Dennis location, just west of Ship’s Knees Inn, has become more of a “scene.” Inside the warehouse/brewery are large tall tables that are meant to be shared. Striking up a conversation with other beer enthusiasts is expected. Outside, where there were just a few sad chairs years ago, is now under cover of a custom awning and arranged with comfortable seating groupings. Stand-out suds selections include the Intertidal Oyster Stout, Stonehorse Citra, and Handline Kolsch. Food trucks make frequent guest appearances, as do bands. They close up early, even in the summer, which means you can enjoy a brew or two before moving on to dinner.
Continuing west toward the big city – Hyannis, not Boston – yields several choices. New on the microbrewery landscape are Barnstable Brewing and Oak Bay Brewery. Oak Bay is a small operation tucked away down an alley off of Main Street. They offer an intimate laidback experience in “secret garden” atmosphere and feature a rotating selection of beer and limited food menu.
Barnstable Brewing does a standout job with their brews, and it is readily available in many mid-Cape restaurants. At their West Main Street brewery, you’ll find plenty of outdoor seating. Inside is an expansive bar, with leather sofas and chair arranged throughout the space as well.
Cape Cod Beer, also in Hyannis, is still the biggest player in the craft brew space on the Cape. Nonstop special events and theme nights have made the brewery a destination for people who don’t even like beer. (No judgment.) A large beer garden has more than doubled their available space.
Weekly events include “Yappy Hour,” a BYO-dog gathering, game night, music bingo, and live bands on weekends. Big fests, such as “Shuck! A Day of Oysters and Beer!” and Oktoberfest, draw thousands throughout the year. Food trucks are on sight nearly every afternoon.
East of our East Orleans bed and breakfast (technically, it’s north, but that’s another story) are Truro Vineyards and South Hollow Spirits, which are kind of/sort of the same place. Like Cape Cod Beer, Truro Vineyards has morphed into an outdoor destination.
The lawn had always had picnic tables and seating. Now, in addition to said seating, the lawn is also home to weekly “Wine & Dine” events, collaborations between local restaurants and artists, in the summer months. These are incredibly popular, with tickets typically selling out in advance. Also popular are its “Paint & Sip” nights in June and July, where guests create their own work of art under the guidance of a local painter. Food trucks play a big role here too, with Red River BBQ and Blackfish Bistro’s Crush Pad alternating appearances. Tours and tastings are also offered.
Cheers!