Taking the train into Boston on a regular basis, I did notice that the building had expanded, and figured it was just a bigger operation there now.
We were looking for a place to take a walk, stalking Pokemon (Yes, we play Pokemon Go on a regular basis). Doug suggested Ipswich, and usually we'd head to the Choate Bridge Pub for a meal and a brew or so. I wrote about the Choate here when Dave and I visited in April, 2011.
But in poking around the internet, Doug discovered the Brewer's Table at the Ipswich Ale Brewery and suggested we visit there instead.
The brewery sits on a little side street just off downtown Ipswich. Brick interior, great lighting, big long bar and a really adorable tap system based on their mobile tap vehicles.
We settled in at the bar and were quickly taken care of. We ordered beers and a charcuterie "Riverbed Platter." I had the Rte 1A DIPA to start, as it is named for the road that runs through town. Doug enjoyed the Smoked Helles, which went very well with the meats and cheeses on the platter. I then enjoyed the "SIPA" the Session IPA and Doug the Rte 101, which is a California IPA, kind of the counter to the 1A of the East Coast.
The Riverblend platter was delicious, and the beers fantastic. Our bar staff was super friendly and she humored me when I asked her if she could set one of the flights up on the bar before serving it so I could take a picture.
We even joked around about the Session IPA being labeled as "S.I.P.A." and I pronounced it "Sippah" like someone from New England just might. I loved the presentation - the two tiered small glasses of IPAs or Seasonal beers were just gorgeous.
We pondered whether or not we should order a meal but figured if we sat and stayed put eating, we'd end up never going out to hunt Pokemon. So we ordered a Cranberry Beret (the kind you find at a second hand store, sing it with me!) to finish up our visit.
Before leaving, we noted that the restaurant isn't full of wall to wall TVs, or even one TV. So headed there to watch the Big Game on Sunday isn't an option. That was kind of refreshing because so many places are just wall to wall tubes.
We figured that we'll be back and will enjoy a full meal. Menu is probably subject to change now that Fall is here, but for now that link will show you the great meal choices at hand.
I also will mention, I recently bought a new camera, and I've been loving how my pictures come out, whether of beer or scenery or people. I should have upgraded to a DSLR long ago.
Find yourself some time and visit Ipswich, and the brewery, and the Pokemon hunting there is pretty decent too.
Enjoy some more photos if you like that sort of thing.
