Framingham's First Beer Garden Opens This Week

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Framingham's first beer garden is opening just in time to close out July with a round of beers outside. Exhibit 'A' Brewing Company plans to open it's beer garden on Friday, making it the first of it's kind in the MetroWest region.

The Planning Board approved the site plans for the garden, located across the street from the taproom on Morton Street in an empty parking lot. "When you see it, it doesn't look like a parking lot," said Kelsey Roth, general manager, "It looks like a real garden."

Benches and tables made from reclaimed wood fill the space along with planters filled with fresh flowers. Although the beer garden is across the street from the main facility, people won't be walking back and forth with their drinks — all beers for the beer garden are stored and served at 82-84 Morton St. The beer garden itself is be fenced in with openings for customers to enter and exit, manned by staff checking ID's and making sure people don't leave the area with drinks.

The business planned on opening earlier this month but the process of making sure everything was in compliance with the city took a few extra days. The beer garden is a seasonal amenity of the main business, open from July through October 30. Roth said the business hopes to open the garden a bit earlier next year, if the warm weather holds up.

For opening weekend, the beer garden will offer live music on both Friday and Saturday night along with a guest appearance from T.C. Scoops ice cream on Friday night. Saturday night's special eats will be Jamaican patties by Ja Patty RI.

While there's no official headcount, the business said it has received tons of positive feedback over social media. Opening weekend hours are 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.