IPA

Following a picture perfect wedding on the Cape featuring Barnstables own, Sarah, exchanging vows with cousin Nate, we decided it was time for another regional adventure to discover that special IPA off the beaten path. Well, our quest to drink a freshly brewed IPA on Nantucket Island failed miserably. But we will try to turn a negative into positive by letting you learn from our mistake.

The ultimate destination was to be Cisco brewery, the absolute go to Nantucket must see spot if you are only ferrying over for a day trip. You get to escape the tourist infested Main street and get out into the great wide open. We know this because we actually passed by the brewery on a one hour tour of the entire 3.5 by 14 mile Island having no idea the brewery would be closing at 5 PM as per the Sunday schedule. So here's how to do it right- you will catch a free ride directly to and from the brewery and allow yourself the proper amount of time to cram in everything and anything else on the island. We begin with a ferry from Cape Cod. Reserve your tickets online as far in advance as possible. We happened to book and pay the night before from the hotel front desk but realize that something as simple as really nice weather can quickly mean sold out seats (You're looking at $70 round trip during peak summer). Our vessel was the Grey Lady operated by the Steamship Authority which hauls ass and gets you over in an hour which is also known as the 'express' ferry. PRO TIP; Get down to the terminal one hour before departure time and order the lobster roll from Baxters next door to-go and eat one of the best lobster sando's ever on the grass next to the water and watch your ferry pull up. That's your clue to get in line to board.

All you really need to know from here is simply walk off the boat upon arrival in Nantucket down Broad Street take a left on Federal and the visitor center is the pickup spot on the hour for the brewery. Don't forget to let us know how it goes, we had to put it on our 'reason to go back list'. We did get our hands on some of their bottled Indie Pale Ale so check it out in the database!