Another Revolutionary Road: Maynard brewery/restaurant fires a loud shot (Originally posted 2/17)

The Boston area has long been known for starting revolutions. Form the American to the microbrewery, we have strong claim to the role of originator and best in show.

From Boston Beer Works to Harpoon and Jack’s Abby to Night Shift, the Boston area is literally drunk with great places for a pint and a bite. While it may be a bit off the titular trail, Battle Road Brewing Company in Maynard (www.battleroadbeer.com) is quickly laying claim to the pride of the pack.

With a kitchen that is helmed by Chef Jordan Mackey (who is also behind the burners at popular neighbors Flank and 29 Sudbury, all of which are proud partners in the Whole House Group of fine eateries), the food should be expected to be above average. What makes Battle Road such a great pleasure is that, in addition to great food, the historic factory location imbues the place with authenticity and charm and makes it an easy place to return to again and again (as many apparently do).

In addition to their delicious and rapidly-expanding selection of house-made beers, which includes their 1775 Tavern Ale, the Lexington IPA, the Midnight Rider Porter, and the brewery-only Minuteman Gold (with a First Martyr Belgian Stout and Powder Horn Pale Ale in the pipeline, if not already in the pipes), Battle Road also has a regiment of flavorful cocktails, including the Red Coat Sangaree (their tasty take on sangria), Revere’s Rickey (a raspberry lime Rickey with the kick of a horse), and the John Hancock (a vodka drink writ large with house-made lemonade), as well as wines by the glass, split, or bottle. For those who need to drive home from Maynard or go back to work after their revolutionary repast, the brew house offers such refreshments as their house-made Jasmine green tea and authentic sweet tea, as well as Ludlow-based Harmony Springs sodas, Capt’n Eli’s draft root beer (borrowed from their friends at Shipyard Brewing in Portland, ME) and what they claim to be the “#1 BBQ pairing,” Dr. Pepper.

Speaking of BBQ, Battle Road can also lay claim to the #1 option for that in the area too. From 15-hour pecan and oak-smoked brisket and Hickory turkey breast to smoke sausage and pork shoulder a(all of which are available alone or as part of two- or three-meat combos, with such savory sides as mac & cheese, Tavern beans, braised greens, and Pepper Jack biscuits), the sweet and smoky servings also come with a set of sauces that are all kissed with the House’s house beers, including a spicy vinegar-based Lexington IPA dip, a sweet and tangy Bunker Hill bastin’ sauce made with the tavern Ale, a Maynard’s Muster mustard sauce that steals from South Carolina, and Putnam’s Porter, which combines locally-sourced maple syrup and even more locally-sourced beer. While the most revolutionary item may be a burger made with brisket and short rib that is good enough to declare war over (the menu also includes such “not burgers as a Haddock sandwich, a blackened Salmon BLT, and chicken sandwiches served grilled or crispy), no matter what you order, you are sure to be licking your fingers and your lips before the battle is through.

Speaking of ending the battle, no trip to the Brew House is complete without a visit to their sweet shop, which offers such fantastic finishers as a Mississippi “pot pie,” a birch beer float, and the Farmhouse cobbler, made with fresh local fruit.

For the “micro brewers” (i.e. kids), the Battle Road offers an informative coloring menu and a set of plates that ranges from “chowdah” with oyster crackers (natch) and mini corn dogs to crispy chicken sliders and even a little brisket plate so they can enjoy right along with the big folks. The kiddie canteen serves up fruit punch, lemonade, milk, juice, and real root beer, so they can also hoist a pint (quart?) and get into the spirit.

In addition to the amazing food and great beer (both of which are worth the many trips that locals and distant visitors make week after week to enjoy), the Battle Road also leads to weekend brewery tours, live entertainment, rentable rooms, and even a table-top shuffleboard set.

So while the Boston area may be drunk with great places to grab a beer and a bite, it would appear that the Battle Road is leading to a new revolution in flavor and fun.