Bay State Brewery & Tap Room

This is easily my favorite place in Worcester. The beer is amazing (you have to try the Blood Orange), and I can’t stop thinking about the smash burger and buffalo chicken dip. The staff is super friendly. The bartender greeted us right when we walked in and our waitress was awesome, helping us pick beers and pointing out the most popular food. They’ve also got great weekly specials. They have $6 smash burgers on Wednesdays and 50 cent wings on Tuesdays, so I’m already planning my next visit. If you’re thinking about checking out Bay State, just do it. You’ll be glad you did.

What an awesome first impression. The service with a smile was the most noticeable thing I will remember. A perfect personality for parties like our crazy 8. Make it a must. FUN place, good people. EXCELLENT food. And HOCKEY in the same building with TONS of available parking. This place met my expectations completely. Great food, variety of seating style, kind of like a warehouse feel, but not too open. Plenty spacious.

Great beer and food! The service here is always top tier. Pat and Sean are amazing, I will be back. The Blood orange beer is my favorite!

The blood orange lager is one of the best beers I’ve ever had. Service is always great, there is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, the food menu is A+, and located within walking distance to Polar Park, Crompton Collective, etc. They are attached to the ice rink so use their private parking lot, or park on a surrounding street. Truly a gem of Worcester.

We had an all around excellent experience here. After reading some recent reviews we wondered about the service but our server, Abigail, could not have been friendlier or more efficient. The food was really good and service was super prompt. They took good care of our dog as well. We’ll be back!

I don't want to give a 1 star review because the food was AMAZING but unfortunately our waitress literally gave off Audrey Plaza vibes but was a total mean girl. She verbatim said "so are you guys going to like order food or what" to us. I couldn't stop laughing because it came completely out of left field and I was appalled. We all ate, paid our tabs, AND still tipped her. She then made a comment about the amount we tipped and walked away. As we were walking out, we noticed she was over talking with another waitress about us and staring us down as we left. Overall it was the WORST service experience I've ever had. Our party even left her a note on a napkin wishing that her day would get better. She needs serious retraining or unfortunately to be let go as she is not cut out for the service industry. She gave off vibes that she would be really good at being mean to men for money so I guess, like, new career goals? 💅🫳🎤

Bought a 4 pack at the local grocery. They had been stocking at the store for a short time. Had purchased their selection then realized the beer was flat and a waste. Spent almost $20 for a 4 pack to throw it away. Sent them a courtesy email that I was a bit disappointed and they should check the inventory at that store. Shawn responded a few days later and apologized and asked if I was near their brewery, and he would replace my purchase and offer me a T-Shirt and asked what store I purchased and if I had any photos. Sent him all the info and photos. He has not followed up on his promise.

This is an unusual spot - nestled sort of in a local ice rink, so there's a bit of chaos spilling over from that (no real barrier between). That said, everything we drank and ate was delicious - special shout out to the Buffalo chicken Mac and cheese, the fried chicken sandwich, and the big pretzel. Many of their beers were either fruit lagers or IPAs, so if those aren't your speed, you may not have many options - we happen to love those, and were very happy! The rhubarb sour and blood orange lager were both especially awesome and unique. They also had some great nightly specials like discounted wings, pizza, etc. that we noticed and would be pretty great if you were on a budget!

We were in Worcester on all day business and were starving by the time 5pm hit. And after what we endured that day we just really wanted a beer. I had no idea this area of MA was filled with so many breweries! Our criteria: -real food -good selection of beer -not racist **This third item was the actual dealbreaker bc multiple breweries had comments from Black folks and other patrons of color that said the businesses were not welcoming or downright racist. Actually while I'm up here on this soapbox I'm always looking at reviews for everything for indications of racism. It sucks but it's necessary and I appreciate folks who are honest about their experiences before I spend my Black dollars. OK I'm done. For now. Anyway. Back to the spot. My husband said I always pick the best places and Bay State was no exception. It's set up next to the (hockey?) complex and has a huge free parking lot. There's a choice of inside picnic table seating, outside picnic seating, or indoor bar seating. We opted for indoor seating. Bits, Bobs, and Fat Things -wood picnic tables were great. Very sturdy and tons of clearance between the bench and tabletop IYKYK -excellent beer menu. When I tell you every beer was delicious. I almost always choose the sour but theirs was a framboise so I opted for the blood orange lager instead. Woulda got a 6pack but since we decided to go up Montreal instead of home (see previous review) I didn't. Husband got the Sinshine hazy IPA. Both fantastic and served in deep steins. -food was excellent AND IT WAS 50cent wing Tuesdays. We got 10 garlic Parmesan and 10 honey soy. And an order of onion rings. Awesome all around. -waitress was friendly and efficient and kept us stocked with food and refills. I'll definitely be back - this was a great experience!

I enjoyed the Mac and cheese and the no-no margarita! I also enjoyed how spacious the place is, there is plenty of seating. Also, our bartender was nice and gave good recommendations on what to drink.

First and foremost, learn from my mistake, don't go on a night when there's a game going on at the DCU as this is attached. That being said, we were able to get a seat and the waitress was very cool. They had a great selection of draft beers and seltzers. My favorite draft was the blood orange. Crazy good. We started with the large nachos and finished with a Chicken Bacon Ranch pizza. They were both good but not the best we have had. Do not let that turn you away, as the drinks are the draw anyways. They also had a live band, which was because of the size made it hard to hear. The band was talented however. Once the game started it cleared out nicely and it was a good atmosphere. They also have great specials throughout the week so give it a peek before heading out

Their Beer is great. There is none better than "Becky". We did not try food but atmosphere was good. Of Course had to grab a Tshirt.

I'll make it short and not so sweet . Went in , never have been there before , and ordered a martini . Was told they "don't have a full bar and to go somewhere else " I quote. No sorry can I get you something else etc.. Rudest bartender I've ever seen . Turned around and walked out never to return! Assholes

This place needs a 10oz to half pint option for people who only want a smaller amount, especially if needing to drive. It's 2024 people, wake up to the financial possibilities of this minimal change and customer centric benefit. A missed opportunity because management can't think outside the (general) box!

We dropped by Bay State to celebrate the end of a long week with a couple of pints. One aspect that sets Bay State apart from other breweries in town is there selection of German beer styles. Today I had their Hefeweizen which I thoroughly enjoyed. In the past I've had their Kolsch and Oktoberfest lager which were similar in quality. They have plenty of seating both indoors and a nice patio outside. The food is pretty solid - nothing exceptional though fits the need for keeping a full belly when throwing a couple back. Another favorite part of this place as you can order 1L beers in giant mugs - awesome! If you're looking for some solid beer and a nice afternoon, check out Bay State when you have a chance.

Awesome food selection for a brewery and outstanding service. Helpful and friendly but not pushy. Love that. Very comfy atmosphere. We are just passing thru and went with rec from Apple Maps. Very worthy. Will put a pin in it and return. Thanks BSBC!! Good luck!!

We really enjoyed ourselves. The Shrimp and Andouille Sausage Skewer is a great flavor combination. Live music with Amanda Cote and Johnny Blue Horn kept the atmosphere jumping on a cold winter night. The Cuttyhunk Hefeweizen was just what we needed to stay warm and cozy.

We've been to over 25 breweries so far since we started this little adventure of visiting breweries early this year. Bay State is by far our favorite brewery. My husband loves the selection of beers here, this is the only place he'll get a flight because of their awesome selections of beers. I just love their mandarin orange hard seltzer, it is my favorite flavor here and anywhere else. Everything we have tried on their menu has been delicious and their burgers and pizza are our favorites. They don't have a large menu (and frankly large menus scare me) so everything is always very fresh and cooked perfectly. We also love the atmosphere in Bay State, great music and awesome servers too.

Loved this place! Huge, cavernous warehouse with a lot of stuff going on. The brewery is on the right side, but on the left side there is an arcade and other games. I am guessing one can bring beverages there, since I did, and did not see any signs indicating that activity is prohibited, So that could be a really way to spend an afternoon. I was here around 3 on a Monday so I was just grabbing a quick bevvie. Beer list was a little lacking. Maybe 12-15 beers, IPA heavy as usual. I was really wanting a west coast IPA but I guess all they make in New England are the hazy NEIPA. I went with a winter warmer instead. Very serviceable indeed. This could be a great place to hang out on a Saturday or Sunday watching some football or soccer. Large outdoor seating area as well, which is key.

Beer was really good. Pizza and buffalo cauliflower were excellent. A bit too loud for quiet conversation, but overall good atmosphere.

Met here with family & sadly, this was the worst family dinner ever. SUPER-loud music & echoing room, but the food was the most disappointing, as it was over-salted & over-cooked. The nachos and pizza were both so over-cooked the cheese was brown & crispy, and the nachos could be picked up in one huge lump. The waitress offered to remake the appetizer nachos, but the replacement arrived after we finished our salty dinner pizza ... and were again over-cooked. So we left them uneaten. Sigh - won't return here again.

Waited over half an hour and never received service. Went inside 3 times asking kindly for a wait staff. Table sat next to us and received service immediately? ! We were well dressed just a cluster of disorganized staff that obviously could care less about what is happening around them

Just came by for a couple of beers. Place was crowded, a bit loud and service was ok. Didn't get anything to eat but hear their pizza is very good. Maybe next time!

Just based on beer, I'd give this place 5 stars. Their beer was really good and reasonably priced. They had a huge selection of beers and they even make their own seltzer's. I had their fall pumpkin beer and a beer called shrute farms, which was made from beets - definitely a unique beer! They sell 4 packs for $14 and you can mix and match flavors, and their 4 pack of seltzer's are $10. Service was also very good, but the part I didn't like was the atmosphere and the food. Since this place is attached to a hockey rink, there are people walking in and out (a lot who were not wearing masks) and the bathroom/parking lot is shared with the arena, which I found to be a weird concept. For food, we ordered the totchos and boneless wings. While the food wasn't necessarily 'bad', the flavors were off. The totchos had beer cheese, but it did not taste like any beer cheese I've ever had - it tasted more similar to cheap nacho cheese. The wings were good, but the sauce was really weird. We ordered honey soy ginger, which I was expecting to be sort of a teriyaki or jerk flavor, but it was just a weird taste. I definitely think this place has good potential (I think they opened recently), they just need to get the hang of it!

Have stopped in a few times when I'm working in the area. Good wings, and nice cold beers on draft. Service was fast and excellent.

Great beer variety, we liked them all. I loved the pumpkin beer the best and my husband loved the Absackerator lol one of the owners stopped by with his cute dogs and was very nice and had us try other beers! That's what I call excellent customer service!! Even though Worcester is about an hour away, we will definitely come back! The bartender was great and friendly as soon as we sat down!! Definitely recommend!!!

We loved the atmosphere and the fact that it was dog friendly both INSIDE and outside.. The waitress was great, she knew the beers and the menu. My husband and I ordered 2 different IPAs, both were very good. We ordered a small Margherita pizza. The crust was very good but it had too much sauce. We also ordered the salt and pepper wings. They were different and ok but we can not rave about them. I think we will come back - overall it was a good experience. It was convenient off 290 and there was a parking lot

The beer is amazing!! Not sure I'd order food again but would absolutely go back or drinks. Good service, and great atmosphere.

Went here for a hockey game. After the game, I was going to sit for a couple of beers. I sat at the bar for ten minutes and watched the female bartender run all over the shop while her counterpart just watched her. She was serving the bar as well as the surrounding tables while her counterpart just sauntered around the bar more interested in his phone. I sat there and made eye contact with him at least six different times but he would not come over to take an order. Another gentleman came in and sat next to me and still no service. We joked about the poor service. After ten minutes sitting there I gave up and went around the corner. A picture of the uninterested employee is in red. I go to breweries all over but will never go here again.

Great IPA and amazing smashed burger w/ tots! Must try if around the area. So much variety on IPAs

I was showing friends around Worcester and we were deciding between Wachusett and Baystate and selected Baystate due to proximity to our dinner reservation. We sat at the bar and were not greeted or given a menu. I had to ask three different people just for a menu. The only bartender, an older man, was surly and inattentive. I was excited to show my friends a nice Worcester spot and it was a really negative experience. Good thing Wachusett is close and friendly!

Fantastic spot to hit before a Woo Sox game.... Waitstaff was attentive, and the food was delicious!

Great spot in the heart of downtown. This brewery had a super cool vibe, plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, and a phenomenal beer and food menu. The beer was served in half liter mugs so you definitely get your money's worth. The beers were excellent and food was so good.

Updated review: Came back for another visit where we actually got to try the food. Seltzers still great. I think they are my favorite by far! My bf got the watermelon beer. He really enjoyed it. My steak tip sub was good. It looked better than it actually was. I mean, it wasn't bad by any means but it looked like it was going to be amazing and it was just average. The fries were good and thick and hot. My bf enjoyed his meal. He's your typical male and doesn't give a decent review so it's hard to read how it actually is. But it looked good. I would get my meal again.

We love bringing our dog! Food is great! Chicken sandwich or a burger Beers are always cold! They do takeout too!

Great selection of good-tasting beers and a nice environment but our margarita pizza was not good. The crust was very dried out. Almost like it was reheated and not fresh.

The food was good and our waitress was awesome but I saw this guy with longish curly hair and trucker hat who had a staff shirt on- he was yelling- like really yelling at an older couple to pick up their dogs "shit." When they were obviously about to but he kept yelling at them. I felt so horrible. If that's who y'all hire then nah, I won't join and I would say don't take your dog or else you'll get attacked for them going to the bathroom even if you're going to pick it up. When I was walking to the restroom, I saw him laughing about it with people who worked there. Disgusting. Guy yelling at an old couple with an old dog. Can't the dog take a shit in peace and the owners take a minute to pick it up? Or is that not allowed?

Very fun atmosphere and good selection of beer! If you go here you'll definitely have to try the nachos, which are a huge sheet pan full of goodness! Great place to grab a beer and appetizer before a Woo Sox game. They also allow dogs (always a plus) and have a selection of board games for entertainment!

Excellent brews lots of choice blood orange is best around. Pumpkin beer best my wife had 2 Will definitely be back

Great food and excellent service. The management was very welcoming. Nothing fancy, but a great stop before or after a WooSox game. Give it a try!

Eh! Not sure why the 5 star reviews. Maybe the fact I came in at 9:30 on a game night had something to do with it. Or maybe cuz I had just left Redemption Rock! Either way I Ordered a Kelly2 beer. Not a juicy or hazey beer. Decided to tuff it out. But ordered beef on Weck. Had high hopes as you never see this in Mass. it was rather mediocre maybe I have high expectations from my upstate NY days! tots were hot but kinda ad that time to change the fry oil taste! Service was great and the bartender was certainly ready to get me a new beer so I can't complain. Maybe I give them another try at some point but not exactly the brewery experience I had in mind.

This place is very busy, probably because it's new and people want to go check it out. Didn't have a hard time getting a seat upstairs, the food was taking a very long time and it's all just your typically pizza, salads, wings. The prices are also pretty expensive. I really enjoyed the beer I got it was something orange however the sizes on beers I did not enjoy you can only get large or extra large basically. The staff is really friendly and it's a fun atmosphere.

Went here for a beer after the WooSox game and was pretty shocked at how annoyed and rude the bartender was. We checked to see what places were open after the game to grab a beer and we're happy to see the brewery was open until 11. We got to there at 10:15 and as soon as we walk in the door the bartender says to me, "the kitchen is closed" and nothing else. My husband and I told her that was fine we weren't looking for food just a beer, so she handed us the beer list and said nothing else. We were very uncomfortable and a little confused considering everyone in the bar also had full beers and the bar didn't close for almost an hour. I noticed that anyone who came in following the game was also given the same attitude. I'm disappointed because we really enjoyed the beer but will not be returning.

Their food is delicious and their beer is incredible. They serve liters and half liters. They even have seltzer's that are better than white claws!

The best beer and tap room in central Massachusetts- been a few times and they have consistently delivered great beer and food. Even through Covid-19. The fest beer and bling seltzer's should not be missed. The tray nachos with homemade chili are so good! The chicken sandwich is the best I've had in mass. Finally if you are not a keto fan, the pretzel with homemade mustard cannot be beat. Will continue to support this amazing tap room and enjoy it all!

I really like this place. Has a unique atmosphere and setup and the staff is friendly, works hard, and very accommodating. The beer is really good, too, at is the hard seltzer. The food that I've had there has been mostly really good for a bar (not a dig, but the kitchen is understandably not their primary focus as a business), though the mac and cheese my girlfriend and her friend ordered there recently was sent back for being bland and flavorless. I haven't seen that dish mentioned in any other reviews here so maybe it's the one thing they just don't do well. Maybe a different recipe is in order, or more butter or more flavorful cheese blend? Either way, everything else was great!

It's true when you go out, the staff is everything. The first time we went on open mic night our waitress was terrible! ! Looked miserable, seemed like we were bugging her then sat with another table that was their for open mic night the entire time without barely checking on us. Then we went again with friends since it's dog friendly and our waitress, Steph made us View the brewery entirely different. She was fast, funny and very tentative. People like her are why restaurants gain regulars. We would go back only to have her. The beer was also Very flavorful.

My brother and sister in law have a beer podcast (Double Hopbeat Podcast) and recommended this place. The place is awesome! They have the tables separated for COVID safety, the food was quick, fresh and delicious, and the beers and seltzers were excellent! We would definitely come back.

Came across this little gem at an Ice Hockey game. It is attached to the arena in Worcester. Had an hour to kill and got a table outside. Greater by a nice waiter that took our drink order. At first we were going to eat but as we saw food coming out to other tables that changed , everything looked great. We went with the charcuterie board. It was delicious everything so fresh and the presentation was great. This is a must stop at! Great beer, great spiked seltzer and great food! So glad we found this place.

Amazing food beer and entertainment on weekends. They have a large tap list and the kinks are all worked out a year after opening! Highly recommend this place to anyone in Worcester area. Try before and after a Woo Sox game this Summer!

Clean atmosphere, great service, and the beer flight was phenomenal! Will deff be back

Went last night and I was very impressed! We only got drinks but the beer was great! They are served as a liter or half liter. A good variety of choices too! The upstairs over looks the ice area. I will be back!

Poor service. Ever sit in a restaurant and wonder if you were wearing a camouflage suit while all the wait staff gathers and socializes? If you like that feeling as a customer, this is your place.

Such a great find! Beer sizes are liter or 1/2 liter so come prepared to drink, but the selection of beer is great! For food, we tried the goulash and schnitzel from the Octoberfest menu (I believe the menu is available until Oct 30th) and the Reuben from their regular menu with tots and everything was AMAZING. Food came out quick and the service was incredible. Can't wait to come back!

Great beer, friendly staff- awesome outdoor seating! We had the Sinshine and the Hoppy Dreams (we always drink Becky Likes the Smell so we wanted to try others!). The pretzels was just okay. I probably wouldn't order it again but I would certainly come back here again!

Food was great. Got the nachos, wings, and big ass pretzel. But the real standout of our outing was our waitress Jess, wowowowow.... What a killer waitress. Damn near blew my sox off, kind courtesy on top of everything. Great with small talk and making us feel welcome. Even played Jenga with us. The motto of the place should be come for the food stay for the Jess! Hahahahaha.

Awesome! It's so great. The atmosphere upstairs is so lively. Great selection. Only had beer - no food so can't comment on the food. Go check it out!! You will be back.