Cape Ann Brewing Company, Gloucester, Ma.

Located on Rogers Street on the waterfront, the Cape Ann Brewing Company has a great location. A parking lot is located next door and if you are lucky, you will get a spot. This writer was not lucky and ended up parking in a bank parking lot down the street.

Several other parking lots are located in the area and with a further acquaintance with the neighborhood, this became quite evident. Seating is communal at this restaurant. If it is quiet, you will not need to share your table but if it gets busy, be prepared to make new friends.

The menu offers a wide selection of choices from the ever-present fried fish platters to sandwiches, salads, and appetizers. When asked what dishes no one should leave the brewery without having tasted, the waitress suggested the fish tacos and the steak bomb. 

These were promptly ordered along with stuffed clams and a Caprese salad appetizers.

Since the beer is brewed on site, there is a good selection of brews on offer and one of the seasonal ones was the Sunrise Saison. It has notes of strawberry and rhubarb and is certainly an appropriate choice for early summer. It is a light golden color and there certainly is a slightly fruity taste which is both delicious and refreshing. Don’t be afraid of the rhubarb, there were no sour overtones.

The stuffed clam appetizer included linguica in the stuffing. It was not as prominent as expected and the clams were okay but nothing special. The Caprese salad, on the other hand, was excellent with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, diced black olives and capers and balsamic reduction. The appetizer portions were not huge, there were four clams and five slices of tomato but there was enough to share.

The steak bomb is a huge portion. The roll was so overstuffed that it was awkward to try to pick up. There was loads of steak covered in melted cheese. In addition, the plate had a large portion of French fries, coleslaw, and a very delicious pickle. The fish tacos are also a very successful dish with a fried fish tender covered in salsa and corn and sitting on top of a portion of guacamole. The serving is two tacos and with the addition of French fries and coleslaw was more than enough to satisfy. The coating on the fish was light and there was aioli available to add any additional flavor that you need.

Cape Ann Brewing Company is the perfect place to come for a good time. The atmosphere is casual and the service was excellent. The noise level is quite high so not a good place for quiet conversation but for a great beer and a casual nosh, the location is ideal for enjoying the waterfront. The clientele was varied but families and children were mixed in with tourists and locals.