Safari #15: Sam Adams Brewery

You'd be hard pressed to find a Bostonian who dislikes beer - and this one has grown to love it.  One of the most popular brews in town is Sam Adams, and over this past weekend (with visiting guests in tow), I had a chance to visit the brewery in Jamaica Plain (JP).

Home brewers and beer connoisseurs alike will appreciate the informational nature of the tour which gives you a full picture of the brewing process.  For a special olfactory experience, hops are passed around the room for rubbing between your hands.  The aroma gives you a better appreciation of the high-quality ingredients Sam's uses for brewing. 

The JP location focuses largely on tours and brewing smaller craft beers, including the once yearly Utopias brew which contains anywhere from 24 to 27% alcohol by volume.  Other U.S. locations focus on brewing large quantities of the top sellers including the Boston Lager and seasonal brews.

The tour ends in the tasting room where three types of beer are offered.  Guests first get to sample the Boston Lager, Sam's flagship brew.  Second comes the seasonal selection, which in our case was the Octoberfest.  Last, we sampled a craft selection called the George Washington Porter, which is not sold in stores. 

If you're new to Boston and haven't had a Boston Lager, there's no better way to try it than at the source.  The sampling glasses given at the tasting are complimentary and yours to take home after the tour.

Tips:

• Go on a Weekday.  Weekend tours fill up quickly.  We showed up just before noon on Friday and made it right into the noon tour.
• Stop by Doyle's Cafe.  Doyle's was the first bar to serve the Boston Lager on tap and a tour bus (with a fun and knowledgeable guide) will take you there for a meal - and special deal.  For $4.50, you can purchase a pint of beer served in Sam Adams glassware to take home (1 per guest).  The bus runs every 15 to 20 minutes to take you back to the brewery.
• Drink the Irish Red. All proceeds from this beer help to support local entrepreneurs find capital to open their own businesses.  A great way to support the local economy!
• Give the suggested donation.  The suggested donation for the brewery tour is $2.  Sam Adams uses these funds to support to local charities.  To learn more, visit the Sam Adams website.

Safari #14: Never Judge a Book by Its Cover

Guilty as charged.  I've passed the Boston Public Library (BPL) in Copley Square more times that I'd like to admit.  As a buyer rather than borrower of books, I didn't think that the library had much more to offer outside of books and research materials.  After a recent visit, I learned how wrong I was. 

We Bostonians should be proud to know that our library was the first free, municipal, public library in the United States (say that to yourself a couple of times).  Pretty amazing.  With this spirit in mind, the library was painstakingly designed as a testament to spirit of learning and the appreciation of the arts.  The best way to learn about the library is to take a free, one hour guided tour, which focuses on its history, architecture, and art - of which there is alot.

Not to Miss
If you don't have time to take a guided tour, make sure to stop by and see the following sights:

The Entrance Stairway.  From the murals and fixtures to the and visually appealing marble, the entrance stairway is stunning.  When facing the stairwell, head towards the lion on the left side. Don't forget to rub its tail for luck.

John Singer Sargent Gallery (3rd Floor).  Known largely for his portrait and landscape paintings, Sargent is less known as a muralist.  When library architect Charles McKim asked if he would paint the third floor gallery, Sargent jumped at the chance.  It took him 26 years to paint the gallery, and sadly, he died before being able to finish it (a blank mural represents this).  The gallery art was recently restored, so this is a great time to visit and view the refreshed pieces.

The Courtyard.  If you're walking from the Johnson Building (the location of the circulation desk), you'll have an unexpected surprise just before you reach the McKim Building.  The courtyard made my jaw drop.



Quick Tips:

• Visit During the Day.  While I loved seeing the Courtyard lit up at night, it was difficult to see some of the artwork as the natural light in the galleries dimmed significantly.
• Eat in the Courtyard.  Either bring your lunch or buy it at the library cafe and eat outside in the courtyard.  What a beautiful setting to enjoy lunch with a friend - or someone special.
• See More Art.  The museum displays many historical pieces quite frequently in partnership with other organizations.  The current exhibit was of vintage travel posters.  The next installation will display vintage postcards from Boston in the 1920's.
• Get a Library Card.  Why not? While you're at the library, get a library card from the Circulation Desk.  It took me about 5 minutes using my Driver's License.

Safari #13: One Bite at a Time

Did you ever think that eating chocolate could support the local economy, promote direct trade, and be environmentally conscious?  If you eat Taza Chocolate, it certainly can.

My latest safari took me on a tour of the Taza factory in Somerville, where Taza has been making artisanal, organic chocolate for nearly four years.  Made Mexican style, the chocolate is ground using stone mills allowing for smaller bits to remain within the finished product offering a distinct and rustic texture. 

Taza uses direct trade to purchase its cocoa beans.  Rather than using fair trade, where a middle man acquires beans without regard to growing practices, Taza buys beans directly from a farm in the Dominican Republic.  Direct trade allows Taza to ensure that the farm uses both humane and organic farming methods.

Last but not least, Taza uses environmentally sustainable practices for the production and shipping of its products.  Each chocolate is hand-wrapped using bio-degradable paper and shipped using corn-based insulation.  The remaining cocoa shells (removed from the cocoa bean after roasting) are sold as mulch to local and organic gardens and to local breweries as an ingredient in beer.

If you're interested in learning more about how Taza produces its chocolate (and to taste some of its chocolatey goodness), sign-up to take a factory tour at the company website. 

A few tips before you go:

• Skip the sandals and fragrances.  Since you are entering a manufacturing facility, you must wear closed toed shoes and refrain from wearing perfume or cologne.
• Prepare to expand your palate.  You'll get a chance to try some traditional dark chocolate (ranging from 60 to 80%), but you will also be offered traditional Mexican flavors like spiced chilli pepper.  It's a little different, but it's worth trying.
• Don't leave without chocolate.  While finished chocolate is sold in local retail stores and used at many local restaurants, you can also bring some home.  At home, it can be eaten as is or shaved and mixed into liquid (like milk) to make hot chocolate.
• The factory is within short walking distance of Inman Square in Cambridge (accessible to the 69 bus) or a 10 minute walk from Union Square in Somerville (accessible to the 86 bus).

Safari #12: South End Open Market

Local. Chic. Indie. 

This is the mantra of the South End Open Market (SOWA) located at 460 Harrison Avenue in Boston's South End.  Open mid-May through late October, this market highlights handmade goods by local artists ranging from housewares and furniture to clothing and accessories.  Recently added to the lineup is the vintage market. 

If you're on the hunt for handmade or vintage goodies, check out the booths I visited during my recent trip to get some great local (and regional) flavor:

• Lola's Urban Vintage (187 Harvard Ave in Allston) - the day's offerings included a great selection of late 70's and early to mid 80's jewelery.  Many items were priced under $10.
• FidgetFinds (Rhode Island) - Tons of accessories including a great selection of day and evening bags. 
• Calico (New Bedford, MA) - Great stuff all around.  I couldn't pass up the sunglasses.
• Escama Studio (Arlington, MA) - Are you a fan of recycled items made into something new?  If yes, check out Escama's merchandise (and my soda can top handbag).

Some tips before visiting SOWA:

• Try your luck at bargaining with the vendors - most times, they are willing to lower the price ;)
• Hit the ATM.  While many vendors accept credit cards, some only accept cash. 
• Food Trucks.  If you're hungry, head to one of the many food trucks available.  Most of these are also cash only.

Safari #11: I Roam Around, Around, Around

Well, I'm the type of gal who likes to walk around - and that's exactly what I did today.  With fall temperatures already settling in, there's no better time to head out on safari.  Where to go, you ask?  If you've already visited some of the other green spaces I suggested, head next to the South End and try one of my favorite routes.
 

Starting at the Back Bay T station, walk into the Southwest Corridor Park, home to the strollers and joggers of the South End.  There are plenty of nooks and crannies to sit and enjoy the greenery.  Walk through the park until you reach W. Newton Street.  If you're lucky, you may get a chance to see some of the area's creative spark.  Look what I found decorating the concrete posts.

At W. Newton Street, turn left and continue walking about one mile until you reach two of the South End's largest parks, Blackstone and Franklin Squares.  Ornate fountains compliment these spaces along with trees reaching as far as the eye can see.

If you feel like picnicking, stop at Flour Bakery, located at 1595 Washington Street, for some awesome treats - both savory and sweet.  My favorite: the smoked turkey with cheddar and cranberry chutney.

P.S. If you're boots still feel like walking (and it's also a Sunday), head down Harrison Avenue and check out the South End Open Market where you can buy local arts and crafts in one of the most creative spaces around.  More on this in an upcoming post.

Safari #10: Oystah's

There once was a woman who dared to defy local bivalve yore.  This is her delicious (and thrifty) tale.

How many times have you been told to only eat oysters during the months that end in "r" (e.g. September, October, etc.)?  Perhaps I have a strong stomach (given the amount of raw seafood I already consume) OR there's nothing wrong with oysters in the summer. Hmmm or rather, Mmmm, I should say.

Given that oysters can cost nearly $3 each, how can one enjoy them and not spend a chunk of change?  Enter the $1 summer oyster specials to be found all over Boston, depending in some cases on the month and day of the week. Find an open patio, your favorite beer on tap, and slurp away.

Some of my favorites to get you started:

• Jasper White's Summer Shack (Back Bay and Alewife) - for the entire month of June, enjoy a wide-range of $1 oysters from all over New England.  If you're new to raw bivalves, you should definitely start here. Even if it's not June, head here simply for the selection.
  
• Marliave (Downtown Crossing) - are you looking for a bit of history to go down with your oystah?  Give Marliave a shot.  $1 oysters are served daily from 4 to 6pm.  Don't forget to try one of their many old-fashioned cocktails.
• McCormick and Schmick's (Faneuil Hall) - head to the bar to taste the $1 oyster of the day from the happy hour menu.  A great spot for people watching, if you're so inclined.
• Rialto (Charles Hotel, Cambridge) - enjoy local Massachusetts oysters for $1 on Mondays in the bar.  Note: no cocktail sauce is served here, so a trip to Rialto should be for seasoned slurpers only (unless you are brave).

***TIP*** If you are an oyster newbie, try asking for some bread or crackers as you go along.  They'll help coat your stomach and give you less of a "swimming" feeling. 

Safari #9: Playing in the Octopus' Garden

Fellow travelers, self-discovery is a splendid thing - especially when you find it in the most unexpected place.  Where, do you say?  Read on.

Let's start this safari with the creative process - an artist's spark.  Media takes this spark and transforms it into a reality.  You interalize the reality and attempt to understand it, process it, and "feel" it.  To your process of internalization, add an island, a map, and wilderness.  Enter the Bumpkin Island Art Encampment.

Every year, artist's take temporary residence on Boston Harbor's Bumpkin Island to create a festive and exploratory environment where you can watch and participate in all of their fantastic creations.  Using media obtained from the island, the artists spend 5 days creating their works and then invite the public to join them for an open viewing.

Last Sunday, I participated for the first time.  Map in hand, I flew into the wilderness in search of installations, artists - and myself.  Every path I chose allowed me to stumble upon something amazing - a hidden tent, secret messages and pathways, and never before seen island creatures.  I even played for a moment in the Octopus' Garden, a recreation of the real 'gardens' that octopi create to navigate the ocean floor.  Playing  in the garden helped my spirit find its way home.

Some helpful tips if you plan to attend next year's installation:

• The Berwick Research Institute - founders and sponsors of the art installation.  Check their website for details on upcoming events including the dates of the island encampment.
• The Boston Harbor Islands - find information about Bumpkin including tips on what to bring (and what to avoid - like poison ivy).  There is a leave no trace policy on the island, so whatever you bring in, you must bring out with you.  Ferry information is also available.