Oreo stouts and bitter bombs — Where to grab a cold one near Taunton on National Beer Day

Kristina Fontes, The Taunton Daily Gazette
·4 min read

People have been making beer for thousands of years.

Some of the earliest written recipes were for beer.

Before clean water standards, beer was what was safe for people to drink.

Today it’s become a recreational beverage.

For those who partake, it’s become something to be shared while having a bite to eat, or watching a game, or during get-togethers like cookouts.

The staying power of beer’s popularity is such that it even has its own national day: April 7 is National Beer Day.

Greater Taunton residents have their pick of breweries, whether they’re looking for something on tap or even cans to go. Most local breweries also offer food and host live events.

To celebrate National Beer Day, here are five breweries in the Taunton area and just a little beyond that are ready to pour you a cold one:

The Padelford Pale Ale at Berkley Beer Company, 10 Ingell St., Taunton.
The Padelford Pale Ale at Berkley Beer Company, 10 Ingell St., Taunton.

Berkley Beer Company, Taunton

10 Ingell St.

Hours: Thursday, from 4 to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, from noon to 10 p.m.; Sunday, from noon to 8 p.m.; Closed Monday to Wednesday

On tap: Brews run the gamut from golden ales, to IPAs, to porters. It’s all local, but one brew takes it to the next level with its name: the Padelford Pale Ale. It’s a New England-style pale ale with tropical fruit-forward hops, pineapple, peach, melon and mango flavors, and a “soft bitterness to balance the malt,” according to Berkley Beer Company’s website. They also offer cans to go, as well as a food menu with a little bit of everything, from salads to entrees, and even a charcuterie board. Check their Facebook page for live event updates as well.

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Kevin Merritt and wife, Tammy Merrit, owners of Crue Brew in Raynham are pictured in this 2021 file photo.
Kevin Merritt and wife, Tammy Merrit, owners of Crue Brew in Raynham are pictured in this 2021 file photo.

Crue Brew Brewery, Raynham

95 Ryan Drive

Hours: Thursday and Friday, from 4 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, from noon to 8 p.m.; Sunday, from noon to 5 p.m.; Closed Monday and Tuesday

On tap: How about a twist on cookies and milk? The Ore-yo is an Oreo cookie milk stout that brings forth “a sweet, roasted, and chocolatey onslaught that your taste buds will not soon forget,” according to Crue Brew’s website. Owned by Raynham native Kevin Merritt and his wife Tammy, they’ve also been hosting Flight Fridays, where guests can pick any four beers off of their menu. They recommend the Blueberry Flight.

The blueberry beer flight at Crue Brew Brewery, 95 Ryan Dr., Raynham.
The blueberry beer flight at Crue Brew Brewery, 95 Ryan Dr., Raynham.

Bog Iron Brewing, Norton

33 W. Main St.

Hours: Wednesday to Friday, from 4 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, from noon to 10 p.m.; Sunday, from noon to 8 p.m.; Closed Monday and Tuesday

Rob Cormier holds up a beer at Bog Iron Brewing in Norton in this 2021 file photo.
Rob Cormier holds up a beer at Bog Iron Brewing in Norton in this 2021 file photo.

On tap: They have a daily beer list on their website. Recent brews have included “Drawing a Blank” (New England pale ale); Dunkelweizen (German dark wheat beer); and “Piece A’ Pie” (apple pie graf). Bog Iron says a graf is essentially a beer and cider hybrid. This particular “piece” of apple pie is made with fresh apple cider, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, allspice and cardamom. Bog Iron Brewing is known for their no-frills brewing of Belgian and German styles of beer. They also host live music.

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Shovel Town Brewery owner and brewer Frank Altieri is pictured inside the brewing area in his Easton business in this 2021 file photo.
Shovel Town Brewery owner and brewer Frank Altieri is pictured inside the brewing area in his Easton business in this 2021 file photo.

Shovel Town Brewery, Easton

50 Oliver St.

Hours: Wednesday, from 4 to 9 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, from 3 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, from noon to 10 p.m.; Sunday, from noon to 6 p.m.; Closed Monday and Tuesday

On tap: Among others, check out Tweed (red Irish ale); Broad Blade (classic American stout); or Shovel Bubble (hard seltzer brewed with pineapple and raspberry). They also serve flatbreads, sandwiches and dessert, as well as shareable items like garlic Buffalo wings and truffle tater tots. Shovel Town, co-owned by Frank Altieri and Jim McSherry, also has a Mug Club that customers can sign up for.

Paul Mulcahy, owner of Black Hat Brew Works in Bridgewater, left, with his employee, Shannon Kawa, in a 2021 file photo.
Paul Mulcahy, owner of Black Hat Brew Works in Bridgewater, left, with his employee, Shannon Kawa, in a 2021 file photo.

Black Hat Brew Works, Bridgewater

25 Scotland Blvd., #1

Hours: Wednesday and Thursday, from 3 to 8 p.m.; Friday, from 3 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, from noon to 8 p.m.; Sunday, from noon to 6 p.m.; Closed Monday and Tuesday

On tap: Black Hat Brew Works is known for their flagship Bridgewater Blonde and their popular Fuzzy Bunny Slippers IPA. For a New England take on a traditional German beer, try the Blueberry Kolsch, which they describe as “light, crisp, and refreshing with a hint of blueberry.” For the latest updates on live events at Black Hat Brew Works, check out their Facebook page.

Taunton Daily Gazette/Herald News copy editor and digital producer Kristina Fontes can be reached at kfontes@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette today.

This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Taunton-area breweries include Berkley Beer Co., Crue Brew in Raynham