Framingham Beer Works is Open

Framingham Beer Works is open.

The restaurant is open daily from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Located at the former Bugaboo Creek site, the seventh restaurant in the popular Beer Works chain has been having a soft opening since mid-last week.

The restaurant was hoping its sign would arrive Monday, and then Tuesday and even yesterday. But even without a sign, the restaurant has seen steady business during its soft opening, with many Framingham and MetroWest customers curious about what was happening inside.

On Tuesday, when Framingham Patch took a tour, one man was glancing through the window to see what was happening inside and came in and had lunch at the bar. Another couple pulled into the lot to see what the business was and eventually stayed for lunch. Wednesday night, a group of Town Meeting members tried out the beers and pub food after Town Meeting adjourned.

Later this month, the restaurant will appear before Framingham Selectmen to officially open its patio seating. When approved, it will be the largest outdoor seating in Framingham with 150 seats on two patios. The restaurant has outdoor gas heaters for chilly nights.

While it is serving several craft beers on tap, the restaurants and microbrewery is still awaiting its official state license to start brewing in Framingham. When the license is finalized, it can microbrew up to 7 different ales, IPAs, beers or stouts and pump those beers right to the bar out of its tanks or half-barrel kegs.

Presently, it is serving more than a dozen microbrews, made at other Beer Works locations. On tap are several Framingham-named brews including:

• Nobscot IPA
• Harmony Grove Golden
• Cochituate Red
• Saxonville Light
• Bowditch Nut Brown Ale
• Framingham American Pale Ale

If you are not sure what to order, you can get a sampler of beers - four 2-oz beers for less than $10. Price varies based on which four beers you choose.

Most of the beers are under $6 for 12 oz. Soon, the restaurant will sell growlers of its craft beers too.

Several Framingham residents and friends tried the beers this week and all were happy.

One man, who said he only likes light beers, enjoyed the "Saxonville Light."

A woman, who said she doesn't really like beer enjoyed the Bunker Hill Blueberry, which has real blueberries in the glass.

Another female friend enjoyed the Framingham Pale Ale and the Nobscot IPA.

Others friends said they would order again the Nobscot IPA, the Cochituate Red, the Curley's Irish Stout and the Bowditch Nut Brown Ale.

Framingham Selectmen approved an all-alcohol and restaurant license for Slesar Bros. Brewing Company.

Besides the microbrews, the drink menu offers more than a page of mixed drinks and a full page of wines to choose from, too.

The eatery serves fries by the bucket, wings, sliders, nachos and other typical appetizers. One unique appetizer is the potato bacon cheddar spring rolls.

There is bar, table and booth seating. Booths can accommodate up to 8 people. The seating area is open and there are lots of window views. Most seats have views of a television.

Framingham Selectmen gave approval for a Framingham Beer Works to open  in September 2012. Last fall, the owners told Framingham Selectmen the building needed to undergo renovations and they planned to open in late 2012.

Renovations, however, took longer than planned.

The interior design is industrial and open. Long gone are the talking animal heads and antler-themed light fixtures from the former Bugaboo Creek.

For lunch, there are make-your-own pizza, chicken sandwiches, salads, and burgers. Dinner menu has lunch favorites and more.

The wait staff was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu items. For customers who had never been to a Beer Works, I witnessed several staff members suggest beers to try based on brand-name preferences the customer enjoys.

The restaurant does offer monthly specials. This month's specials are British-themed. There is a kid's menu too.

Desserts are large - two people could easily split one - and all are $6 or under.

Examples include:

• BEER WORKS MUD PIE: A pie of ice cream featuring chocolate, malted vanilla & coffee ice creams with chunks of Oreo & peanut butter cups, topped with whipped cream & crushed nuts.
• BEER WORKS® APPLE BLUEBERRY CRUMBLE Layers of warm apple and blueberry crumble served with vanilla ice cream, topped with whipped cream.
• “BIG DIG” BROWNIE A huge chunk of brownie with vanilla bean ice cream, fudge & candied pecans, topped with whipped cream & a cherry.

One exception to the $6 or less dessert is the "BEER WORKS BEER FLAT." In this dessert you choose a beer and an ice cream flavor and the two are combined.

The restaurant has a great rewards program. You can sign up for free. You get a bonus rewards during your birthday month and coupons monthly.

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Framingham Patch would love to hear you thoughts on Framingham Beer Works. Please post reviews and opinions below.