Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall
306 Northern Ave., Boston, MA, 02210
Founded in 1986, the Harpoon Brewery and Beer Hall is Massachusetts’ oldest established brewery and produces craft beers and a famous Harpoon Pale India Ale (IPA) in the trendy Seaport District. An adjoining beer hall hosts visitors guzzling brews in a buzzy, industrial-inspired setting and offers tours of the brewery operations.
The basics
A keystone of Boston’s vibrant Seaport development, the Harpoon Brewery and Beer Hall comprises Harpoon’s original brewery and a German-style beer hall of communal wooden tables where visitors sample multiple Harpoon brews and guest taps. Order pints, flights, or drinks from the bartenders—all Harpoon experts—and pair them with one of Harpoon’s signature giant pretzels or pizzas.
While most visitors come for the beer, many also take a behind-the-scenes peek into the Harpoon operation. Book one of the daily 30-minute tours to view the plant’s brewery and fermenters, learn about the company’s history, and enjoy complimentary tastings of select Harpoon brands. Purchase tickets online or on-site, or consider a Boston-wide brewpub tour—some stop at Harpoon.
Things to know before you go
The Harpoon Brewery and Beer Hall is popular with beer lovers and anyone keen to experience Boston Seaport District.
Visitors must be over 21 and international travelers must show passports to enter.
Beer hall entry is free, but brewery tours incur a small fee.
On-site facilities include restrooms and free Wi-Fi.
How to get there
The Harpoon Brewery and Beer Hall sits on the eastern end of Northern Avenue in Boston’s Marine Industrial Park inside the Seaport District. If you’re driving, follow the signposts to the Seaport and park on Northern Avenue—there’s metered parking and a lot facing the brewery. Alternatively, catch Boston’s SL2 bus to Northern Avenue from the city-center MBTA South Station terminal.
When to get there
Harpoon is open daily, usually from around midday till mid-evening, aside from Mondays, when it opens later. The beer hall is normally packed on Saturdays and Sundays, so be prepared to wait in line—seating is first come, first served only. For a quieter experience, visit on weekdays.
What to see at Boston’s Seaport District
Make the most of your visit to Harpoon by checking out Seaport’s other attractions. Boston’s Institute of Contemporary Art, an ultra-modern gallery exhibiting 20th- and 21st-century art, is 20 minutes away on foot along the waterfront and provides a nice shot of culture. The Harborwalk and tree-shaded Fan Pier Park both command sweeping harbor views nearby.
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