4 Summertime Biking/Brewery Pairings in and Around Plymouth
The Summer is in full swing and we have been blessed with a lot of amazing weather so far! This is the time of year when we love to be outside taking advantage of this amazing area we live in. It's a great time of the year for two of my favorite things: mountain biking and breweries, so I thought this blog would be about some of my favorite biking/brewery pairings. As everyone knows, nothing is better than a great ride followed by a well deserved beer! The craft beer industry has been growing for many years now, and we are so lucky to have some amazing local breweries in Plymouth and the surrounding towns. They have become a family friendly, dog friendly destination where you can meet a lot of cool people, play games, eat food from local food trucks/vendors and try some terrific craft beers. So, if you are looking for something fun to do, check out my list of some of our "go to" pairings.
1) Pine Hills/ Second Wind Brewery or Mayflower at The Pinehills
Riding in the Pinehills is pretty amazing from winding single track to some wide fire roads; long, fast downhill on washout trails and beautiful turns on sweeping perfectly built berms; endless climbs and man made jumps, bridges and table tops. This area has something for everyone. Some parts are very technical so be sure to get the Trailforks app and do your research! You can spend a few hours here on miles and miles of trails and then head downtown to Second Wind Brewing on Howland Street or Mayflower Brewery's summer beer gardens in the Pinehills or on Hedge House lawn.
Second Wind is on a great side street, Howland, between the waterfront and downtown so there is always parking to be found. They have an amazing line up of beers on draft (and for to go) all the time as well as their now "famous" Power Sours which are kettle-soured ales with electrolytes! Super light and refreshing. The beer garden is typically hopping and is super dog and kid friendly. They have a great relationship with Food Court, a restaurant literally steps away, so you can order food and have it delivered.
If your riding on a Thursday, head to the Second Wind Beer Garden at Bramhalls Country Store. They are there from 3-8 with 6 draft lines…and if you haven't been to Bramhalls you are missing out!! Fantastic locally sourced meals, Ben and Jerrys Ice Cream, Lobster Rolls, Street Tacos and the store has some amazing local vendor products and produce and abundant outdoor seating.
Mayflower Brewery has two beer gardens off site during the summer: The Pinehills and Hedge House lawn on the waterfront. Pinehills runs on Sundays all summer and features live music, games, artisans and plenty of places to sit and hang out on the green, AND food by Lobsta Love Food Truck. Hedge House is Fridays and Saturdays from 3-8 and also has live music, tons of room, games and views of Plymouth Harbor. You can always do Second Wind and then walk right down the street and try Mayflower at the Hedge House lawn and enjoy to of our best local breweries!
2) Myles Standish/Indieferm (Independent Fermentations)
Your ride in Myles Standish can be as low key or hard charging as you choose. There are so many options that you could spend days and not hit all of it. There is a paved bike path that goes for miles and miles and even skirts a number of ponds if a swim is on the agenda. You can find some terrific single track along the Bentley loop, over to East Reservoir and if you head in deeper into the forest there are lots of single track, fire roads and some sandy stuff out by Charges Pond and Camp Cachalot.
After a few solid hours of getting your sweat on head over to Indie Ferm Brewing on Camelot Drive. Small but great tap room with outdoor space as well and 8 beers on draft offering many varieties. They even have Kombucha on draft that is really good! Kid friendly and dog friendly with live music most Saturday evenings and pop up food trucks Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
3) North Hill/Island Creek Oyster Farm
North Hill is a great ride in Duxbury. There are many loops covering North Hill, Knapp Town Forest and Waiting Hill where you will have a little bit of everything! There are some good climbs, fast downhills, root areas and a number of trails along the waters edge, around the bogs, all with beautiful views. There is some really great riding here that will keep your heart pumping for as many hours as you can take! You can also snap a picture of the water at one of the most photographed mountain spots around.
When you are done, take the short ride to the water and Island Creek Oyster Farm. Ok, so its not a brewery, but the vibe here is New England perfection. Basically sitting at the waters edge on Duxbury Harbor is this amazing spot, with white lights, numerous high tops and long tables, adirondacks and an old truck that has been transformed into the bar. They serve draft and canned beers, rose and white wine and serve straight from the ocean oysters and other delicious fare. They also have tours of the farm itself which are pretty cool!
4) Carolina Hill/Untold Brewery
Carolina Hill in Marshfield is a solid ride! Parking at Eames School you get right onto the trails and can find enough single track, with a few small sections of wider fire road interspersed, to keep you climbing and screaming downhill for hours. Lots of different areas you can weave together to make this ride as long or as short as you want. You can even head across 3A and add in another couple of miles.
When done, head south to Scituate, my old stomping grounds, and Untold Brewery. This renovated 1852 schoolhouse is really beautiful, and the beer is awesome! Lots of cool merch, pop up food options are pretty common so do your research, and the outdoor area is great! Stone patio with picnic tables and high tops and a great grassy area for cornhole and other games. This is a great spot to chill out after a nice long ride.
So…if your like me and enjoy getting outside and working for your beer add these pairings to a summer to-do list! The rides are as beautiful as they are challenging and the breweries are some of the best around!
Friendly reminders:
Do your research! that way you know exactly what your options are for rides as well as beer/food.
Download Trailforks or an app that has trail tracking abilities so you know what you are getting into, and so you don’t get lost!
Wear bug spray and a helmet
Make sure to have plenty of water and maybe a snack
Now what are you waiting for? Go for a ride!!! Cheers
