The Commonwealth Brewery is one of greater Boston's first brewpubs. It was established in 1986 before the practice of combining a microbrewery with a pub atmosphere became commonplace. The Commonwealth is located in Boston's Bullfinch Triangle, the four-block wedge of handsome 19th century brick factories between North Station, the North End, and Haymarket. This area has undergone a considerable renaissance in the last decade and now is home to many clubs, restaurants, and the Boston Antique Center.

The Beer
Brews at the Commonwealth are produced on the premises in the vats surrounding the cellar Tap Room and are hand-pumped upstairs to the bar. We really like the beers here and recommend that you try them all (not at one sitting, of course). The brewery offers four traditional (cellar-temperature) draughts: Boston's Best Burton Bitter; Amber India Pale Ale; Black and Tan (a mix of stout and bitter); and Classic Stout. Five chilled draughts are available: Blond Light Ale; Boston Burton Ale; Golden Ale; Famous Porter, and Special Old Ale (a complex, almost sherry-like barley-wine style brew).

The brewery also offers seasonal brews. Some of our past favorites have been the raspberry wheat beer, the German Alt, and the Winter Warmer. A long list of specialty brewed drinks such as the Shandy (bitter and lemon soda), the Snakebite (India Pale Ale and hard apple cider), and the Black Velvet (stout and champagne) is also available. The Snakebite is our favorite -- it combines aromatic hoppiness with the fruity tang of cider, making it a refreshing libation any time of year. Brews are offered by the pint (16 oz.) or half-pint (12 oz.) (math skills optional).

The Decor
The atmosphere at the restaurant is pleasant, albeit hectic and noisy. The warm wood floors and copper-covered tables glow in the light reflected from the high ceiling and from the generous windows that surround three sides of the dining area. A long bar with comfortable wooden stools occupies the fourth side of the dining area. A high-tech metal stairway leads down to the Tap Room, a smaller, more intimate space which offers live music on weekends, and is also available for private functions. Aside from being a bit noisy, the only drawback is the seating. We wish they would spring for comfortable chairs for the dining area to replace the existing folding chairs.

The Commonwealth Brewery is very popular, and it usually attracts a big crowd on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Also, due to its proximity to the Fleet Center, plan to get there early if the Bruins or Celtics are in town!

If You Are Hungry...
Although you should come for the beers, you will want to stay for the food. No fancy nouvelle cuisine here (well, maybe just a little for fun), just hearty American fare, and lots of it! Appetizers include nachos, wings, ribs, salads, and our favorite, beer-battered onion rings -- a generous basket of sweet onion strings in a crispy golden covering. The shrimp and clam chowder is a thick creamy soup crammed with seafood and potatoes and just the right hint of nutmeg. Our favorite has always been the three-alarm chili, a spicy melange of beef and pork bits with beans and tomatoes, topped with a sprinkle of raw peppers and a bountiful dollop of sour cream. With a pint (or two), the chili is the perfect meal for a crisp fall evening.

For dinner, the Commonwealth offers pasta entrees, seafood, chicken and beef from the grill, and a dozen specialties. Among the latter, we favor the lamb and apricot sausage, served with red onion marmalade and garlic mashed potatoes, and the steak tips, the perfect brewpub dinner.

Details
The Commonwealth serves lunch and dinner seven days a week. Tours of the brewing operation are available at 12 noon and 4 PM daily and by appointment.

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