Boston-based Hopsters receives commercial brewing license

The Boston area’s first and only custom craft brewery and restaurant, Hopsters, has received its commercial brewing license, making i the first commercial brewery to be located in the suburb of Newton, Mass., since the 1600s.

Hopsters opened its doors in September 2013, with a 10 kettle on-premise area for patrons to reserve individual or group brewing sessions, led by Hopsters’ brewmasters. Within three months, a full bar was added to the space, offering one of the largest menu selections of New England craft beer, with over 20 rotating draft beers on tap. In early April, Hopsters expanded its hours and food menu to include lunch options.

The license, issued by the state of Massachusetts, allows Hopsters to sell its hand-crafted ale on tap at the bar and direct to restaurants, bars and liquor stores through a wholesale distributor. 

“Since we opened Hopsters’ doors, it has thrived as a unique destination for the community to educate themselves on craft beer in an enjoyable and relaxed environment,” said Lee Cooper, owner of Hopsters. “The new brewing license further enhances our customer experience, allowing us to now sample and serve an array of Hopsters’ innovative, experimental batches of custom craft beer brewed on site, which is what Hopsters is all about.”

Growlers will sell for $4 each and can be filled with Hopsters-brewed ale and taken to go. Hopsters will also have at least three specialty beer styles on tap and plans to rotate its house-made brew offerings on a weekly basis. Cooper will limit distribution to select off-premise accounts in the Greater Boston area.

Hopsters will celebrate the new brewery license July 11 and, as part of the festivities, will honor traditional brewing practices with the introduction of a limited-edition style to be sold for $1 per pint: a cask-conditioned English Pale Ale, which is unfiltered, naturally-carbonated beer.