Autumn is the perfect time for a sipping tour, and there is no more charming place for it than the Heart of Massachusetts, made up of three regions—MetroWest Boston, Central Massachusetts, and North Central Massachusetts—full of lovely little New England towns awash with breweries, cideries, wineries and distilleries. In typical New England fashion, these makers focus on the region’s farm-fresh ingredients and seasonal splendor in their creations. 

MetroWest Boston’s 17 (soon to be 18!) craft producers offer something for everyone. For award-winning fall flavors, visit Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers (Framingham), one of the region’s best-loved brewers who produce not only a sensational Copper Legend beer that is the perfect marriage of caramel and sweet toasty malts for Oktoberfest (which they celebrate over several weekends!), but also the unusual Peanut Butter Pie Framinghammer, a malt beverage spun with local peanut butter featuring chocolate and graham aromas, then aged in bourbon barrels. Or conjure up the memory of a fall bonfire with Smoke & Dagger, a smooth, smokey lager perfect for cold weather and live music in their beer hall.

If cider is more you desire, visit Lookout Farm (Natick), who crafts cider from their own apples and, in the case of their Pumpkin Patch hard cider, from their own pumpkins as well—a glass of it tastes just like pumpkin pie! Stop in this fall to wander their corn maze, pick your own apples and pumpkins, enjoy live music, and indulge in mouthwatering BBQ.

Prefer cocktails? Try GlenPharmer Distillery’s (Franklin) Bog, their vodka infused with locally-grown cranberries, then take a behind-the-scenes tour of the distillery and finish with a fantastic meal in their historic dining room—or if the weather’s nice, on the outdoor covered bridge. For details on these and other of MetroWest’s producers, visit www.metrowestvisitors.org/breweries.

With over 20 artisan makers in Central MA, there’s a lot to explore when you head west from MetroWest. First visit Redemption Rock Brewing Company (Worcester). This brewery’s personality comes across loud and clear in their “I Can’t Even” Pumpkin Spice Latte Stout, “Thackery” Oktoberfest Lager, and “Appleseed” Apple Cider Sour Ale. And with game nights, trivia events, and food pop-ups, it’s a different experience every time you visit.

At serene Brimfield Winery & Cidery (Brimfield) try their Classic Cran Muscat Canelli blended with fresh cranberries, the Vintage Blush Rose Gamay, or Antique Red Petite Syrah. This outdoor winery offers live music, antique car shows, and special events—think: line dancing and food trucks or HarvestFest with games, food, animals and craft vendors.  

A quiet country road winds around the Quabbin Reservoir, excellent for leaf-peeping and leading you to Hardwick Vineyard & Winery to try a flight of fall flavors like Hardwick Honey, a semi-sweet white enhanced with local honey, or Harvest Maple, a wine infused with local maple syrup, or perhaps Apple Pie, a white blended with apples and (you guessed it!) apple pie spices. Tastings in their picturesque barn offer live music, art workshops, and festivals to boot. For details on Central MA’s producers, visit www.discovercentralma.org/food-drink.

Head further north to our last region: North Central Massachusetts, a vibrant hub for craft beverages and lively activities. Start at Moonhill Brewing and Gardner Ale House (Gardner), who create an impressive array of craft beers including their Broken Bean Coffee Stout. Made from locally-roasted organic coffee, this is beer that makes you feel good about the world. Moonhill also partners with nearby Red Apple Farm (Phillipston) to produce a dry, crisp hard cider poured at both locations and at the huge Wachusett Mountain Applefest, celebrating all things autumn. 

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Thirsty Robot Brewing Taproom (Fitchburg) presents local music and unique brews, including C.A.S.E., a dry Irish Stout with flavors of coffee, chocolate and a mild caramel sweetness, as well as Daemon, a Czech Dark Lager brewed with Pilsner Malt, Caramunich, and Chocolate Malt for a rich, dark color and complex flavor perfect for crisp fall days and cold winter nights. For details on North Central MA’s producers, visit www.visitnorthcentral.com/activity-type/craft-beverages.

To plan your autumn sipping trip, visitors can download a free guide to the Heart of Massachusetts at www.theheartofma.com/digital-guide.