Step Up Your Bar Crawl

Photograph by Toan Trinh

THE EMPIRE BUILDER

Lord Hobo

This Cambridge linchpin, with more than a dozen New England brews on tap, tons of stellar imports, and made-from-scratch corn dogs, is getting in the beer-making biz, too. Owner Daniel Lanigan will soon open a 46,000-square-foot brewing space in Woburn with a tasting room and a signature IPA, dubbed Boom Sauce.

Drink this: Jack’s Abby Barrel-Aged Coffee Framinghammer; Night Shift Mainer Weisse.

92 Hampshire St., Cambridge, 617-250-8454, lordhobo.com.

Photograph by Justin Hamel

THE GOLDEN STANDARD

The Publick House

Before great beer could be had all over town, the Publick House had our back with what has to be the largest list of Belgian brews in the city, tons of local gems from the likes of Allagash, and some of the best mac ’n’ cheese and moules frites around.

Drink this: Pretty Things Baby Tree; Two Roads Igor’s Dream.

1648 Beacon St., Brookline, 617-277-2880, thepublickhousebeerbar.com.

Photograph by Toan Trinh

THE NEWCOMER

Brewer’s Fork

A collaboration between Publick House alum Michael Cooney and Sorriso’s John Paine, this Charlestown spot combines wood-oven-fired pizzas, elegant small plates, and a mile-long list of brews that mixes local cult favorites with Belgian and German rarities.

Drink this: Allagash Curieux; OEC Brewing Solaris American Wild Ale.

7 Moulton St., Charlestown, 617-337-5703, brewersfork.com.

Photograph by David Salafia

THE GAME-CHANGER

Row 34

At this seafood haven, beer director Meghan Parker Gray has assembled a beer list—with hyperlocal brews like the hard-to-come-by Trillium, and unusual sours from Italy and Belgium—that’s as strong a draw as the bivalves shucked at the pristine raw bar.

Drink this: Jack’s Abby Bride Maker; Allagash Odyssey.

383 Congress St., Boston, 617-553-5900, row34.com.

Photograph by Justin Hamel

THE FAMILY-FRIENDLY HANG

Saus

This is the unusual spot where the food is kid-friendly (cones of frites with a slew of dipping sauces; dense, buttery waffles topped with house-made Nutella or berry purée; sandwiches stuffed with crispy chicken and slaw) and the beverages are suited perfectly for discerning adults.

Drink this: Rotating draft pours from Idle Hands and Enlightenment Ales.

33 Union St., Boston, 617-248-8835, eatfrites.com.