Aviva Luttrell | MassLive.com

By Aviva Luttrell | MassLive.com

When it comes to craft beer, Massachusetts used to look north for quality brews.

"It used to be a lot of Maine or Vermont, people leaving Massachusetts and traveling to Main or Vermont for their beer trips," said JT Ethier, business manager at Worcester's Greater Good Imperial Brewing Co.

But that's all starting to change.

Today, Ethier and Greater Good founder Paul Wengender say southern New England is upping its game.

"So many small breweries, so many thousand-barrel or less breweries have popped up in the last three years, I think the number of breweries has doubled in the last five years -- and they're all small," Wengender said. "The small artisanal craft brewer is really focused on one thing -- quality -- and there's a lot of cross-pollination that goes on."

As some of the more renowned breweries up north have grown, Ethier said their employees have moved to other regions, taking that expertise with them.

"They're kind of sharing their knowledge and bringing it to other areas," he said.

Wengender, who launched Greater Good three years ago, said when it comes to beer, he's seen the trend move across the spectrum from international to hyperlocal brewing.

"The communities around beers are becoming more local like they were in the 19th century -- neighborhood breweries," he said.

Those observations also correspond with data from the Brewers Association's annual report, which showed that small and independent craft brewers saw a 5 percent rise in volume of beer nationwide in 2017 and the number of operating breweries grew 16 percent to eclipse 6,300.

Small and independently owned craft breweries also accounted for 98 percent of all U.S. operating breweries, according to the report.

In Massachusetts, you'll find craft, micro- and nano-breweries from Cape Cod and the islands to the rolling hills of the Berkshires.

Here are some of our summertime favorites:

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Brick & Feather Brewery

Located directly alongside the Canalside Rail Trail in Turners Falls, Brick & Feather Brewery is the perfect spot to grab a flight and then go for a bike ride on the easy 3.7-mile path.

Brick & Feather opened in 2015 and its beers are brewed mostly by hand on a manual seven-barrel system. The brewery's tasting room offers 5- or 10-ounce pours, or you can take your beer home via reusable growlers and occasionally 16-ounce cans.

While you're there, take in a view of the river or make the short trek into town to explore Turners' funky shops and restaurants.

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Cisco Brewers

Cisco Brewers' location on Nantucket already makes it a must-visit summer destination, but the brewery brings a whole lot more to the table.

When you visit, you'll find a winery and distillery in the same small location. Patrons can enjoy live music, a food truck and a lobster truck on the brewery's outdoor patio, which is also dog-friendly.

Be sure to order a Blue Haired Lady, a beer cocktail made with Cisco's Grey Lady brew, topped with blueberry vodka.

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Justin Hall

Greater Good Imperial Brewing Co.

Greater Good Imperial Brewing Co. opened Worcester's largest taproom just off of Gold Star Boulevard earlier this year.

"Summer in New England, it's not 75 and clear, it's a highly variable climate, it's windy, it's rainy, it's too hot sometimes, too humid sometimes, so I think we have kind of a very flexible space to accommodate all types of weather," founder Paul Wengender said.

Greater Good has picnic tables outside, and offers live music, vintage arcade games and more indoors.

The brewery's test kitchen, TOAST, offers gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and other snacks, while Greater Good's taproom-only brand, Soul Purpose, offers more sessionable beverages that are perfect for summer.

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Aviva Luttrell | MassLive.com

Stone Cow Brewery

Located on a 1,000-acre, fifth-generation dairy farm in Barre, Stone Cow Brewery is the perfect place to grab a pint, admire the scenery and then head on over to visit the animals -- including sheep and goats.

Stone Cow's Field to Flame BBQ, open only in July and August, showcases the farm's produce while its Barn Kitchen is open year-round, serving up paninis, flatbreads and more.

Sit at a picnic table inside the brewery's rustic barn with a flight, or head over on a Saturday for some yoga (which is $20 and includes a beer!).

Stone Cow also has ice cream to keep the kids happy.

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Rapscallion Brewery

Surrounded by a 150-acre orchard and disc golf course, Rapscallion's brewery in Sturbridge is both dog- and family-friendly.

Located in a historic barn, its taproom offers small-batch beers by flight, pints or pitchers. Beverages may also be enjoyed in the brewhouse or cellar lounge. Hungry visitors can bring their own grub or buy a flatbread pizza from Rapscallion's food truck.

The brewery offers free weekend tours on Sundays at 2 p.m., as well as live music and seasonal festivals.

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Aeronaut Allston

Aeronaut Brewing Co. is based in Somerville, but during the summertime, the brewery holds a pop-up beer garden in Allston as part of Harvard University's Zone 3 initiative.

Zone 3 is a cluster of buildings at 267 Western Ave. that the university is trying to revitalize with programs, events and retail. Aeronaut's pop-up is open every Wednesday and Friday night all summer long, and features live music and performances by local artists, food trucks and more.

The pop-up is free, and kids and dogs are welcome.

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Aviva Luttrell | MassLive.com

Tree House Brewing Co.

Tucked away off of Route 20 in Charlton, Tree House Brewing Co. has gained a cult following over the past seven years. Known for its brews including Julius, Doubleganger and Green -- which were ranked among the top-rated beers in the country by Beer Advocate -- the company has expanded rapidly.

This summer - pending local approvals - Tree House will begin constructing a 16,000-square-foot expansion to its retail shop and brewery; several new outdoor spaces; an on-site trail system and more.

Tree House started doing business in 2011 and was based in Monson until summer 2017, when it moved to a 55,000-square-foot brewery in Charlton. Since last year, the company has doubled its number of employees and increased its beer production from 270 barrels of beer per week to more than 1,000.

Its new Charlton location is the perfect summer hangout. With plenty of Adirondack chairs, an outdoor pizza over and fire pits, it's a must-visit spot.

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Trillium Brewing Co.

Since opening in March 2013, Trillium Brewing Co. has grown to include two locations in Canton and the Fort Point neighborhood of South Boston.

The brewery also has a beer garden on Boston's Rose Kennedy Greenway, which just opened for the season. The Trillium Garden is located across from Rowes Wharf and has been extended several yards into the Greenway's Elm Circle.

You can expect to find a rotating draft list with fun summer favorites like the brewery's Gose with Strawberry, Blueberry & Kosher Salt.

The beer garden also serves wine from Westport Rivers Vineyards. It's open Wednesday through Friday, 2 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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Wachusett Brewing Co.

Wachusett Brewing Co.'s Brew Yard in Westminster is open six days a week with food, live music and beer.

Its Blueberry Ale is perfect for summer. Grab a draught from the brewery's unique bar built in a custom Airstream trailer, which features 24 different varieties of beer at all times. Wachusett also has an outdoor area complete with fire pit and Adirondack chairs.

If you're interested in taking a tour, the brewery offers them on Fridays and Saturdays.

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Harpoon Brewery

With an outdoor space for beer-drinking, pretzel-eating and lawn games, Harpoon Brewery's Boston Keg Yard is the perfect spot to spend a summer day.

You'll find six varieties of Harpoon and UFO on tap, as well as outdoor games like corn hole and giant Jenga.

The Keg Yard is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., weather dependent.

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Barrington Brewery

Located in the scenic southern Berkshires, Barrington Brewery has been serving homemade food and beer since 1995.

The brewpub is located in a converted barn in Great Barrington with outdoor patio seating. It was also the first brewery on the east coast to install a solar panel system that supplies solar-heated hot water for brewing and restaurant use. A 480-panel solar electric system also provides the businesses with 85 percent of their electricity needs.

This summer, try the raspberry ale -- a blonde ale finished with a hint of raspberry.

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Northampton Brewery

Northampton Brewery's incredible roof-top deck makes it a must-visit spot during the warm months.

The multi-level deck has a full bar and offers lunch, dinner and late-night drinks. When it first opened in 1987, Northampton Brewery was one of fewer than 100 breweries in the entire country.

While you're in the area, stroll through Northampton's eclectic downtown and grab an ice cream at Herrell's.

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Notch Brewing

Notch Brewing's beer garden in Salem offers unparalleled views of the South River basin, where you can catch a glipse of harbor seals and watch the tide come and go.

The brewery offers full pours in its taproom, with eight to 14 beers on tap at all times. Outside, a 2000-square-foot beer garden is open year-round -- with long tables in the commercial and heated stand-ups in the winter.

You'll also find a classic Skee-Ball game at Notch. The brewery is family-friendly and welcomes well-behaved dogs.

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Barrel House Z

Weymouth's first brewery -- Barrel House Z -- specializes in small batch, collaborative, barrel-aged beers.

Outside, you'll find a small beer garden with picnic tables overlooking the Plymouth River. If you're hungry, be sure to try the brewery's famous macenadas --empanadas stuffed with mac and cheese. Like the taproom's beer selections, the macenada flavors and constantly rotating.

Barrel House Z also hosts food trucks, live music and pop-up events. Feeling active? The brewery and Greater Boston Running Company team up each Thursday to host a weekly pub run. The 5-mile jog leaves from Barrel House Z at 6:30 p.m.

Taproom Hours: Wednesday 4 to 10 p.m., Thursday and Friday 2 to 10 p.m., Saturday 12 to 10 p.m., Sunday 12 to 8 p.m.

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Bad Martha Farmer's Brewery

If you plan to vacation on Martha's Vineyard this summer, Bad Martha Farmer's Brewery should be on your list of places to visit.

The brewery and tasting room is located in Edgartown on the Donaroma's Nursey property, surrounded by flowers, trees and native grasses. Bad Martha offers flights, brew by the glass and growlers, as well as cheese plates, charcuterie, crudité and other snacks.

Outdoor games and live music on weekends add to the chill island vibe.