Cape Cod Beer was created by Hyannis locals Todd and Beth Marcus and brewed their first Cape-centric ale in 2004. Their current location is at 1336 Phinney’s Lane, Hyannis and is open for brewery tours year round.
Brewery tours run once daily at 11 a.m. Monday through Saturday. Beer tastings are available for a $5 fee, which buys you five 3oz. samples and a logo tasting glass to bring home.
To make a special request or for specific questions, you can call them at (508) 790-4200.
You can find the brewery using their directions map.
Where Can I Find Cape Cod Beer?
Cape Cod Beer is a truly local experience – it can only be found within a 50-mile radius of the brewery (including at the brewery itself), with coverage spanning from Plymouth to Provincetown.
The crew self-distributes each case of their brew to local bars, restaurants, shops and package stores. To find a tap, bottle, can or keg closest to you, check out their beer finder.
Cape Cod Beer also operates an indoor/outdoor beer garden outside of the brewery, featuring a 70’s-era hot dog truck and a rotating set of food trucks in the summer months. That’s open year-round weekdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and weekends 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The garden is available for events, just call ahead.
A comprehensive beer guide to the Cape and Islands can be found here.
Types of Cape Cod Beer
There are 4 varieties of Cape Cod Beer available all year, and nearly 30 others created so far.
The most popular beer on a year-round basis and the brewery’s flagship beverage is the unique “Cape Cod Red – Red, Right, Return!” This North American amber ale is described as “smooth and mellow” with caramel and toffee malt notes. It weighs in at 5.5% alcohol by volume.
Next up: the most popular summertime beer, “Cape Cod Beach Blonde Ale.” This blonde ale is light and refreshing, perfect for pairing with seafood or pizza. Its alcohol level is a bit lower at 4.9%, making it a prime “session” choice.
Cape Cod Beer continually brews two other trending styles, an IPA (India Pale Ale) and a Porter.
The “Cape Cod IPA” bites back with citrus and spicy notes, coupled with domestic hops and a higher alcohol by volume percentage of 6.0. Definitely for the bold at heart, this ale is best paired with spicy dishes or fried foods.
Lastly, a local take on an English “common man” classic: “Cape Cod Porter.” Don’t be alarmed by the brew’s dark appearance, it’s a hearty treat for a cold day. Notes of chocolate malts and a hearty head typify the style, with a surprisingly low alcohol rating of 5.5% by volume.
There’s one issue that sometimes turns people away from beer: fish bladders. Yes, you read that correctly. An animal byproduct known as isinglass (essentially, fish bladders) is used by some breweries to filter the yeast and particulates out of beer before bottling.
But Cape Cod Beer is does not practice this; they use diatomaceous earth (a completely natural, animal-free product) to filter their beer, making all of their products completely vegetarian friendly.
Vegans will only find fault with one of their beers, “Stargazer Stout,” which does contain dairy. However, the rest of their selection is completely vegan.
Lastly, those concerned about GMO’s (genetically modified organisms) won’t have to worry about Cape Cod Beers: none are used at any stage of the brewing process.
Cape Cod Beer Events and Charity
The brewery creates and attends multiple community events, including a seasonal farmers market and yearly Oktoberfest, as well as various tasting events throughout the area.
Charity, according to the brewery’s website, is an important part of their operation. You can find them advertising for and attending multiple charitable events, including the “Be a Santa to a Senior” program, Love Local Fest and Nauset Disposal Trash Bash.
If you’re the type of person who likes to work for their dinner (or drinks), consider enrolling in one of Cape cod Beer’s home brewing courses.
Check out this drone flyover of a “Christmas in July” event.
Cape Cod Beer History
According to their website, Cape Cod Beer got its start in April of 2004, when the Marcus’s opened up shop at the old Hyport Brewing Company in on Main Street, Hyannis. At first, they only had 12 customers and would put around the Cape in Beth’s minivan delivering orders.
Two years and a couple of new employees later, they moved to their current location and bought more brewing tanks.
Today, they’re busy enough to only give one tour a day but remain actively involved in the Cape community – something they say makes what they do all the more refreshing.
