Massachusetts’ pint glass overfloweth with quality suds—Chopps American Bar + Grill is helping spread the local libation love with a new, MA-centric beer program. Located in the Marriott Boston Burlington, the modern chophouse is well-situated to share the state’s brew offerings. Food and beverage manager Kevin Kelly (a native Mass-er himself) explains the impetus for the revamp, “We’re primarily a business hotel, so travelers would come in and want to know ‘What do you have that’s local?’ That sparked the idea—we do have a lot of really great local beers. Why don’t we try to introduce them to people that otherwise wouldn’t know about them?” Thanks to the revised beer list, visitors and residents alike can pull up a bar stool at Chopps for a very Boston burger and beer.

With eight draft lines, the beverage team looked to cover a range of brews—they highlight beermakers from Worcester to Gloucester and beer styles from light wheats to dark stouts, plus a rotating seasonal selection. Of the available pours (listed below), Kelly notes his personal favorites: Slumbrew’s Attic & Eaves (“It’s got a real depth of flavor with the nuttiness and the roasted malt.”), Wormtown’s Be Hoppy (“That’s a perfect IPA.”), and Riverwalk’s Uncle Bob’s English Ale (“You can definitely sit back and have a few of them.”) Currently, Harpoon’s Winter Vanilla Blonde holds the seasonal spot, with a cream soda-like flavor profile fit for cozying up during the cold months.

The canned and bottled list keeps up the Mass theme, with options from Downeast Cider, Cisco and (the practically neighboring) Lord Hobo. Kelly, who previously worked in the kitchen, can recommend a few food pairings for those looking for a dish and a draught. He cites Lord Hobo’s Boomsauce IPA as a good match for Chopps’ dry-aged burger: “It’s a 10-ounce River Rocks Farm patty with a good amount of fat to it. We use a nice, fresh brioche bun with a sweet, sort of earthy flavor, which really complements the bitter earthy flavor the beer has. The Hobo is just crisp enough that it really cuts right through the fat of the burger and pairs really well.” No matter the plate, the pour is sure to be a proud one, sourced from the city and surrounding areas and – with any luck – starting countrywide conversation around MA’s finest beers.

On Draft
Wormtown IPA, Worcester
Notch Infinite Jest Wheat, Salem
Riverwalk Uncle Bob’s English Ale, Newburyport
Harpoon UFO Winter Vanilla Blonde, Boston
Cape Ann Pumpkin Stout, Gloucester
Cisco Whale Tale Pale Ale, Nantucket
Slumbrew Attic & Eaves Toasted Brown Ale, Somerville
Wachusett Bella Czech Pilsner, Westminster

Cans and Bottles
Bent Water Thunderfunk IPA, Lynn
Big Elm Gerry Dog Stout, Sheffield
Cape Ann Fisherman’s Brew Amber Lager, Gloucester
Downeast Cider, Charlestown
Lord Hobo Boom Sauce Imperial IPA, Woburn
Newburyport Das Kolsch, Newburyport
Cisco Grey Lady Wheat, Nantucket