Hog Island Beer Co. (MA)
Article by Sam Dostaler
When we veered off the Cape Cod Rail Trail in Orleans to take a quick detour to Hog Island Beer Co. we weren’t sure what to expect. All we knew was that we wanted to find a brewery that we could bike to and Hog Island Beer Co. on West Road, just about 1/2 mile from the trail, was the place that fit the bill.
We arrived just before noon on a Saturday in June and found a large bike rack where we could store our bikes during our visit. After securing our bikes we walked up the stairs and we instantly knew that we were in for a good visit. Yes, we came to sample the locally brewed beer at the five-year old brewery, but we also came to check out the atmosphere.
Laid out in front of us was a large grassy area with a number of picnic tables that flowed into the open air brewery with additional seating and two bars. We choose the bar closest to the entrance and ordered a flight so that we could sample each of the six beers on tap. Each beer, named with an ode to the Cape, was excellent with our favorite being their signature draft, the Outermost IPA.
Other selections at the time of our visit included White Shark Wheat, Far Out Stout, Pig Pen Pharmhouse, Moon Sail Pale Ale, and Day Sail Session IPA.
It was a sunny, warm day so after our bike ride, we opted for an indoor picnic table that was located in a large room that included the second bar, some indoor games, and a stage for live music performances.
Hog Island Beer Co. got its name after the founders took a paddle boarding trip to Hog Island, an uninhabited island, in Orleans Little Pleasant Bay. Like the Hog Island Beer Co. founders, their brewery is brewed for the active person at heart. Outside there is a corn hole and giant Connect 4 while inside there is Jenga, a shuffleboard table, ping pong, and an arcade style basketball shooting game.
As we sipped our beers, we took a crack at the basketball game and ping pong and eventually ordered some food (pizza and wings), which was very reasonably priced and good.
Overall we spent a couple of hours at the Cape’s ‘Outermost Brewery’ enjoying the laid back atmosphere, good company, and good beer. After finishing our last sip we headed back down to the bikes and continued on our way having enjoyed our first visit to a new addition to our ‘must stop’ list when on the Cape.