Publick House
Brookline, Massachusetts
Boston’s neighborhood pub with reverence for Belgian ales and respect for American craft
What it is: Opened in 2002, the Publick House predates the boom that gave rise to contemporary craft. With its church-like wooden interior, furnishings, and decor, it’s a living, breathing homage to Belgian beer—and it might seem a bit stale, if the selection of imports weren’t so solid and ripe for rediscovery. Here you’ll find classics from Dupont, Orval, and St. Bernardus alongside lambic beers from Cantillon, 3 Fonteinen, and Tilquin, plus American renditions from Allagash and others. The 34 taps include a range of IPAs, lagers, stouts, and more from American independents, plus some unusual British, Irish, and German finds that fit the European vibe.
Why it’s great: Despite its age, the Publick House stays current. Both a neighborhood staple and a beer-geek destination, it’s the bar where many Boston-area beer lovers first learn about better beer—and Belgian beer, in particular—while both acclaimed and under-the-radar offerings from American craft breweries continue to appear. Meanwhile, the excellent gastropub-esque food menu often directly incorporates beer, from house-made beer cheese to chicken braised in Weihenstephaner and four variations on moules-frites—each steamed with a different beer.
Hours: 5 p.m.–11 p.m., Monday; 5 p.m.–midnight, Tuesday & Wednesday; 5 p.m.–1 a.m., Thursday; 4 p.m.–1 a.m., Friday; noon–1 a.m., Saturday; noon–10 p.m., Sunday
Address: 1648 Beacon St., Brookline, Massachusetts
Web: publickhousebrookline.com
