Notch Brewery & Tap Room - Brighton

I stopped by Notch Brewing Brighton just for the beer, and I’m glad I did. I tried The Standard, Dunkel, Salem Lager, and a few others — each one showed off a different side of their lager game. The Standard was crisp and classic, the Dunkel had a nice malty depth without feeling heavy, and the Salem was super clean with a dry finish that I really liked. What stood out to me was the consistency. Every pour was clean, balanced, and precise — which isn’t easy with lagers. There’s no room to mask imperfections, and Notch nails it across the board. The space itself is laid-back with a casual crowd, perfect for focusing on the beer. As someone who works around flavors a lot, I really appreciate when simple things are done this well. I’ll definitely come back — next time I’ll take my time and go through the full lineup properly.

We love Notch, and are always greeted warmly and professionally. The atmosphere is great and the beer is better! I read some reviews that were negative, especially around their "family-friendly" policy. Kids are great, especially your own. When kids are left unattended, causing chaos, parents need to teach them how to behave in public establishments. We have 2 dogs who are "spirited" and because of this we wouldn't consider taking them to a pet friendly place. Common courtesy. Some of those complaining about the staff asking to rein in their kids are probably the same kids we roll our eyes about. Also, if an establishment has a policy of no kids after a certain time, respect that and stop complaining. Notch will always be my place for a good brew and connecting with friends.

Great staff very knowledgeable and friendly. Perfect summer spot for starters. Had some tacos and a beer with a bunch of actors...

Very relaxing atmosphere. Great outdoor area, beer garden style. Beer: good selection of pilsner and other craft bees on tap, roughly 16. Food: you can bring outside food or buy pizza from the 'pizza project' that is next door. Good spot if you want to enjoy a nice beer after work. They close at 10pm but you can stay normally until 10:30 to 11pm.

friendly staff and great outdoor seating. they have bike racks in their parking lot past the entrance. learn from my mistake and don’t walk your bike into the courtyard!

One of the few breweries left in MA that keeps it real. Truly great beer and staff. As a parent I also really appreciate their policies regarding kiddos - this is a brewery for drinking beer, not a place kids can go unsupervised.

They had all Czech/German style beers with low ABV’s available in 1/2 or full liters, just a heads up if that’s not the style you look for. The beer was decent. The style of the place was cool with all the wood but also kind of plain. Might be better when the outdoor seating is available but it felt cramped inside. When my GF and I walked up to the bar the first bar staff glanced us over and walked away, the bar area was almost empty at that time and had to get the attention of another staff at the other end. We never really got that welcoming and social vibe you get at most other breweries.

Notch is a great beer spot along Western Avenue in Brighton, Boston. It is about 30 minutes away from Harvard business school by foot. The environment is perfect for large groups because of the community feel of benches. It was raining when I went but the outside seating looks nice for good weather. Staff are friendly. The bathrooms are clean. The Czech beer is available directly from the tank while the other beers come from the Notch Salem location. The Standard beer is most popular. I really liked the large selection of lower alcohol beers of 4-5.5% because many breweries have shifted to higher alcohol and IPAs over the years. There are four sizes options for the beers which allow you to sample more and drink less if you like but it means your beer glass (one size) will look a bit more empty and not as aesthetic. I would definitely return.

Large indoor and even larger outdoor seating area in an historic building. Great, friendly service. Extensive and diverse craft beer selections, primarily Czech and German style. Regulars even have their own beer steins. They don't do flights per se, but if you want to try multiple of their beers, as we did, they do "schnitte", which are smaller (9 oz) servings. The highpoint for me was their hefe weisse and another beer they call a hootenany, which is a true Berliner weisse sour wheat beer. This is the closest to a Berliner weisse that I've ever had in a US brewery. I had the variation that had woodruf (Waldmeister) as the souring additive. The only time I've ever found this outside of Berlin! It was a wonderful surprise and a really great beer. This is a great craft brewery that I would highly recommend (and I live in Asheville, NC, so I know craft breweries pretty darn well!).

Terrible place for families with young kids. Either decide on a no kids policy and sacrifice the revenue from families or let kids be kids. Having a policy where management will monitor your kids behavior, speak to them if they misbehave and tell parents they need to stand by their kids side at all times in an empty courtyard is not a place families will enjoy. Oh and kids need to leave by 6 so don't show up too late..

We had a great time here! Got to taste different beers until I found one I absolutely loved- the kolsch. Superbly poured. Such a friendly bartender. Then we sat down and ordered some snacks. Played some checkers (they have board games). Kind of reminded me of breweries in VT. Cozy. We had pierogis and pretzel bites. Pierogis are always my favorite. With sour cream. & my bf ate the sausage, so it was perfect. Good vibe. Highly recommend.

It was my first time at this brewery/ location of it. I have had Notch beer before but, wanted to come see their taproom/brewery. So, this is the Brighton location. It is kind of hidden within a little shopping village if I may call it that. It's in the back of the area called The Charles River Speedway. There is a coffee shop, convenience store and pizza store among some of the other types of places within the Speedway little village. The brewery itself has picnic bench like seating within the middle area of the courtyard area. They also have indoor seating with the same seating arrangements. It's a pretty large space with a lot of space. I did not have any food here but they have a small food menu. If you want food or a hat or a t-shirt there is a separate area where you have to go which is just across the way from the brewery itself. I had only one beer but it was tasty. I ended up going with their Feist beer. Its made only around the time of Oktoberfest, so I obviously had to get it. I also got a 4 pack of it to go. This is a great place to come have a chill time especially if the weather is nice with friends or solo. I would recommend this brewery for sure. They do have other types of beers but it is not an extensive list at all. The one little downfall I had was I felt a bit rushed while ordering. I did not know which one I wanted, I was able to have little taste of the two I was debating between though, which was nice.

Came on a weekend when the weather was nice. Great, spacious place to hang out with friends. Would come back for the vibes

Decent beer and a nice location but staff are outwardly rude, including the manager. We were actively avoiding going up to the bar because we didn't want to deal with the staff. Will definitely be going to a different local brewery next time.

Nice ambience, for a rainy day they have a lot of spots for people to hung out by they are drinking, we tried a few beers and was taste and cold! We also tried the eggs, worthy for the price! Staff very friendly and welcoming.

German beer! If you're in the mood for a lager, shandy, radler, marzen, rauchbier, bock, kellerbier, zwickelbier, altbier, or Pilsner this is the brewery for you. They've also got a few pale ales and IPAs. Pet friendly and they offer small pours if you're looking to try many. Indoor and outdoor Biergarten with benches. Small private parking lot next to it.

Pretty much always a good time here. They're a well oiled machine with ID checker when you enter, a line that moves relatively quickly even during it's busiest times, a selection of beers that will suit those who like hardier and darker and light and refreshing. As a light beer gal, I'm all for their Radler Lemonade - it's exactly the type of drink I want for my lightweight self. This place is popular but not too crowded, so I've been able to roll in with 5-8 people with no issue so far. One note is that you have to bring your own food - if Koji has pizza or the hummus place is up your alley, then that's literally right there. Otherwise get your order ready beforehand for pickup or delivery. I've seen Bon Chon, pizza deliveries, and takeaway from local restaurants. Overall a great casual atmosphere with good beers and space when you need it. Will definitely be back!

UPDATE: I now see that they do list the different pour size options looking back at the draft list picture I took. I'll come back and give this place another try and update again.

This place is great! There are tons of outdoor tables like a beer garden style with heaters. Inside, there are more long picnic tables and fun board games to pass the time. There are tons of cool, unique beers and a few basic snacks like pretzels and a cheese board. The Radler Lemonade was my favorite and it is a nice, light beer. You are welcome to bring your own food, so lots of people get food delivered from DoorDash or Uber eats then eat while sipping beer. This is definitely a fun place to hang out and it's even better when the weather is nice!

What a great local brewery in the Brighton/Watertown area! Notch is a sparkly spacious brewery located along the Charles River. The beer and taproom menu are inspired by German roots and is SUPER delicious. I got a pint of Zwickle which was a great pale ale. The table also got the pickled vegetables, cheese plate and sausage board, which we all loved. Some fun additions: - There is a pile of board games for beer goers to enjoy - You can bring outside food which is great when you're craving something different or want to feed a crowd - There is a handful of other small biz food vendors in the Speedway that you can order from and enjoy in the brewery

Cool space and good beer. Not friendly for families with kids, which seems to be a huge source of business for most breweries these days. Just a warning to parents: go somewhere else. I see there is at least one review about the staff seeming angry that folks are patrons at the establishment and I am glad I am not the only one who got this vibe. I wont be going back.

One of the best breweries around. Not just your set of run-in-the-mill IPAs - lots of variety like Czech lagers, ales, etc. The staff are incredibly friendly. The outdoor space is expansive - a true beer garden style. Both the brewery and the complex it's located in (Charles River Speedway) always has something going on (art markets, live music, yoga, run club). Plus there are several other establishments you can check out and get food from (Tipping Cow Ice Cream, Superbien empanadas , Komi Sake Bar, Hummus v Hummus). Great, down to earth spot!

Notch Brewing was a surprise. Having been to independent breweries, I was expecting an IPA and something fruity. The beer at Notch is not the easy to make varieties you'd expect. The beer was all well balanced and complicated in a good way (I have no idea of how to describe beer, besides it was excellent). The service was great and the ambiance was enjoyable. We drank beer, ate snacks and played games. It was a great overall experience. We'll done. Went back a second night and had another great evening.

The beer was okay but overall I found the whole vibe and our interaction with the manager more than a bit depressing. We picked this place for a meeting and because it was dog friendly. As we were trying to order the manager came up and said that we could not leave our dog tied up without somebody standing right next to them. The place was empty and my dog was lying down 5 feet away tied up. This dog is rained as a service dog and would not move from the spot but the manager was very worked up and said it was because a squirrel might run by in the middle of the courtyard and everything would get pulled over by the dog because it was big. Everyone in our party was more than a bit confused by the statement and how it was delivered . We let it go and proceed to have are meeting but the manager kept cleaning around us and giving us the stink eye when near. I thought it the way they where act was crazy and even funny because strangers kept coming over to ask if they could pet the dog while this was going on. eventually the other people in our group got upset by this manager so we move across the courtyard and order from another business. It's called the Koji Club and they where wonderfull. In every way it was so much better and they where super nice. It take some serious issues to get me to move from anything let alone a beer garden but Notch Brewing wins this time. Plan to visit the koji club again. They weren't even open but asked why we move over and then offer to serve us afterwards. So nice of them.

You know when you have been here this place has a lot going for it. Love the the beer, staff and overall experience. Just be sure to leave us a parking spot otherwise it may impact my next review. Enjoy!

Had some beers at Notch Brewing on Thursday evening. A spot for old-world beers, which were solid if not spectacular. However, the lack of food options and the cold which dominated inside and out were significant issues. Quality: Notch Brewing is an old-world beer spot. It has a menu filled with Czech and German beers, along with a few American Ales. During my visit I tried three beers, the Tmavy a Czech Dark Lager, the Kolsch, and Keep Your Cool, a NE IPA. I definitely enjoy a solid classic old-world beer every so often, especially on an autumn day, and Tmavy fit the bill. I was less excited about the Kolsch, but I should know better about that by now. The disappointing beer was Keep Your Cool, which I felt was mischaracterized as a NE IPA, it just didn't bring out the fruity flavors. The bigger issue however had nothing to do with the beers, but the lack of food. What I really could have used was a warm pretzel or a sausage as I enjoyed my beers. Quantity: Multiple size options designated on the menu, but noted with old world language. Value: $8 for 1/2 Liter Pours. Ambiance: Notch Brewing has its second outpost in the Brighton area of Boston. It is located in the Charles River Speedway facility, which is a unique space. The oddly shaped building offers a massive patio area in the middle used as a biergarten as well as space for equipment and an indoor taproom. Outside they had heat lamps arranged, but as soon as the sun started to dip, it was freezing. Inside the problem of the cold was nearly as bad, since they had a large open garage door letting the wind whip inside. The music was hard rock, which seemed a little off, but I assume the bartenders have full control until the crowds arrive. Crowd: As I was leaving a few others began to arrive. With the outdoor area being the main seating option, it is definitely more of a warm weather spot. Service: I arrived a few minutes before they opened and they had no issue pouring me a beer. I was the only guest for most of my visit, and they circulated regularly to see how I was doing. Parking: Small private parking lot, but did not look sufficient for the size of the space.

Great beers focused on German styles. Great outdoor beer garden with several good dining options. Live music some nights. Super cool vibe.

Enjoyed our time here on a warm Saturday. Lots of seating outside and I love the concept of the layout. The seating area is in the middle of a few different stores where there is a sake tasting bar, an ice cream place, and some other little shops. I got a lager which was good, but my bf got some smoky tasting beer that I did not like- just depends on your preference. Also, not dog friendly but it's not their fault since MA has some strict rules. Only complaint is the benches outside are a little unsturdy when you sit on them (almost tipped over a couple times).

Great beer, fun atmosphere. Not quite a beer garden but the complex offers plenty of ways to enjoy an afternoon. Food vendors line the sides of the square; be prepared to serve yourself.

Real hidden gem here. Great location at the speedway. All kinds of different stuff on tap that is both unique and good. You won't be paying downtown prices either. In the summer you can sit outside and order food from any number of places around the speedway. They always have live music on Thursdays which is fun too. All around good vibes, especially for a city that is lacking chill neighborhood breweries.

Butch and I have always enjoyed my time here, but nothing beats amazing customer service. In a bar as busy as Notch on a Friday night, I was surprised to get such wonderful service. One of my friends has a severe allergy to peanut oil but we were all really hungry and were craving apps. Instead of just saying, "Too bad," one waitress went to the kitchen and had a detailed conversation with the cooks about what was safest for us to eat. The entire staff was incredibly kind and really had my friend's allergy at the forefront of their minds. Despite the money they make from just the bar, I was floored when they spent as much time as did on us. p.s Left of the Dial is the bomb

Cool place! I really like the venue with picnic tables outdoors and the ability to bring your own food. I wish there were a few more food options around the area for eat pickup/delivery. Overall, the selection of beers is definitely not my favorite. I had one mixed with lemonade which was probably my favorite! I wish they had a cider or a fruity beer option to make it appealing to a wider variety of people, but a lot of my friends love most beer so I will probably be back for the cool atmosphere

The food menu does look pretty good for a brewery. Just small bites. However, I was extremely disappointed in the size of this overprice pretzel. It was $17 for two pretzels, we paid extra for cheese and we got what looked like a half size pretzel. I just dislike this about hipster joints where they just overcharge you, give you small portion size, and you end up leaving unsatisfied. Additionally the beer although they had a comprehensive menu did not have any prices or sizes on the main board. That was annoying but the service was great. They allowed you to try a sample and provide recommendations. The ambience is really laid-back as any brewery. Not sure if it's dog friendly. But it was clean, minimal, had a German beer hall feeling to it, just basic benches.

Great beer and nice space but my god do the employees need to lighten up a little bit. You stand up to stretch and they will try to clear your half beer on the table and they walk around screaming rules at you. Fun spot but the employees definitely put a damper on the experience. I've been to this location before and it was nowhere near as authoritarian. They legitimately seemed angry that people were patronizing their establishment.

The beers here are not groundbreaking, but I really enjoy their lager + grapefruit soda mix. It's creative and perfect for summer. This place really becomes worthwhile when the weather is warm. They open up all the doors and the quart-yard is filled with chatter and fun. Last night they had a jazz band that just really made our night! I second the urge for more food options, everyone loves snacks with beer!

Great atmosphere. Love the outside vibe. Nice food choices. Will hand out on a Sunday afternoon anytime.

Good selection of beer - bartender was kind and let me try different beers until I found one I wanted to get a tall glass of.

This brewery just opened near my place. The service was nice and friendly. The German beer is my favorite

Great spot! Tons of indoor/outdoor seating. Great selection of beers and food, super fun atmosphere. Plus they have boardgames!

DO NOT COME WITH OUT OF STATE ID. IF YOU ARE. TOURIST DO NOT COME. I came to visit my so sister for the weekend I'm Boston. I am 24 and have a South Carolina ID. The bar tender denied my ID and was extremely rude about it. The bar tender had no reason as to why. I showed him multiple different ways to prove my age. He was rude and did not seek input from any other bar tender. Not a good experience.