Good brewery in Malden center. We went a night there was a fundraiser going on, and unsure if that put some of the staff in a bad mood, but we were met with attitudes from one man in particular. When we got our beers, my husband asked "which one is the blueberry one?" And the bartender said, "the blue one." With such terrible energy. My bad sir, they both look the same color... Other than that, it wasn't a bad place. I've been here before when I used to live here, but it wasn't my fav brewery in the area read more

Idle Hands Craft Ales - Breweries Near Me - Malden, Massachusetts

Love that they had fun non alcoholic options- I got the ginger spritz and enjoyed. Great place to catch up with a friend, plenty of tables and a welcoming staff! read more

Idle Hands Craft Ales - Non Alcoholic Ginger Spritz - Breweries Near Me - Malden, Massachusetts

Stopped by for a beer and it didn't disappoint. Cats vs Sharks was a great NEIPA. Service was good, ambience was vibes cool. Small place but a lot of character. Beer was worth the stop. read more

Idle Hands Craft Ales - Cats vs Sharks - Breweries Near Me - Malden, Massachusetts

See all

We had a great time at Idle Hands last night! This spacious brewery has a really relaxed vibe, lots of seating, decent parking, and a big shelf of board games. Their beer is excellent and they have a big selection - really something for everyone (I even saw a house made hard seltzer on the menu!). They have a rotating event calendar with food pop ups, and a nice outdoor space as well. Their team was super friendly and welcoming! Looking forward to coming back soon! read more

Idle Hands Craft Ales - Winter Ale - Breweries Near Me - Malden, Massachusetts

See all

Perfect representation of the NE Brewery vibe! One guy working who was jovial. Tables set up like a mini beer hall. Interior- painted hops. Nicely done- simple. Lite fare. We had pretzels and grilled cheese. They had shuffleboard which our family always loved and a decent sized parking lot. Also, they had a vendor in selling some kabobs. Overall a laid back feel. read more

Great beers, friendly environment, definitely recommend, go for one of the flights Selected the IPA flight and one was out, got a dark beer I thought I would not like but instead turned to be my preferred read more

3rd brewery of the night before the party and I settled for the Friday Decisions Bitter (on a Friday, too). The bartender was really cool in explaining what the beer can machine does and the nuances of laws surrounded beer. We also liked that there was card games for us to play while we drink. The bitter, was well, bitter. But it was also pretty smooth and I eventually gulped the last few ounces. read more

Discovered this place pretty randomly after looking for a spot to grab a beer after a nearby hike and boy am I glad I did! The brewery has a decent sized patio out front with tables and plenty of room for my pup to join us, along with lots of large tables inside the tap room. They have a pretty solid merch selection inside and my boyfriend and his brother were happy to see they had the Pats game up on several large TVs. It was pretty quiet here on a Saturday afternoon which is a nice change from the packed breweries in downtown Boston. We each got a flight and ordered some soft pretzels and grilled cheeses to share. The food is super basic but it was nice to have something to snack on while we drank. The 4 stars here is allll about the beer. The Four Seam was my favorite of the day but I honestly enjoyed them all. Overall this place is a fun, relaxing spot to grab a beer, I only with it was closer to the city so it wouldn't be such an undertaking to visit more regularly. read more

Idle Hands Craft Ales - Build your own flights - Breweries Near Me - Malden, Massachusetts

See all

I love Idle Hands! It's the chill neighborhood spot we all need. Walking distance from Malden Center, they have a dog-friendly patio as well as picnic tables inside. On warmer days, it's so fun to watch the pups play while the owners enjoy some beers. You can BYOF, and they host food pop-ups on certain days. Oh and did I mention the beers? They're DELISH. Lots of great New England IPAs and other styles like Belgian triple, wheat, and porter. We got a Brewers Flight as well as built our own flight so that we could try 8 different ones. We especially enjoyed the Two Seams, Sabro Ball, Blanche, and Triplication. There are a variety of games inside, and you can buy merch & cans to take home. The laid-back vibe (plus awesome beers) makes an afternoon here so comfortable and fun! read more

See all

Good beer/service, mediocre food I had grater and seasonal fruity beer, they were tasty and our server was very attentive. I would not recommend getting food here tho, grill cheese I had was smaller than ones I had in kindergarten and pretzel my friend had was mediocre at best. Overall good experience read more

Idle Hands Craft Ales - Breweries Near Me - Malden, Massachusetts

Nice beer selection, plenty of parking and good food trucks. They also support the arts.

Friendly service. And we really wanted to like this neighborhood brewery. But the beers just weren't good. We had a brown ale and a sour ale. No body/mouth feel. One of us left half her beer and didn't feel great the next day. Will try again next summer, because we do love beer and want to support local business. read more

True Score: 3.25 Stars Visited idle hands and it was decent. Hate to start with the biggest issue but the awful parking situation makes us not want to return. Two parking areas on the sides of the building holds about 15 cars. If you don't find a spot good luck parking far down the street. The beer was very flavorful but the brewery tasting room is small and lacks character. I tastings were also somewhat pricey at $4 for a 5 ounce pour. I've been to a lot of breweries and while I think the beer was fresh and flavorful the environment was lacking and service also lacked personality. Overall, just OK. Thanks read more

Nice brewery and space with lots of beer options for everyone. I had a radler which you don't see often and it was great.

I love having a brewery right in Malden! Idle Hands is wonderful. They have a nice outdoor patio and plenty of parking. The service is great and really friendly. The beer is even better! I had a sour that had the most amazing bite. I highly recommend it!! read more

Idle Hands Craft Ales - Breweries Near Me - Malden, Massachusetts

Brewed beer here at Idle Hands, the stuff is made right on sight. It is beer only with no food, but it looks like they have a pretty good rotation of food trucks - one pulled up and passed out menus during the dinner time when I was here. Free wifi worked well while I drank my delicious beer. I opted for the "Adelais", a German-style Pilsner that was nice and crisp with a very light citrus note to it. It is served in a proper half liter stein. Perfect. There is plenty of outside and inside seating, though the outside is right on a rather major looking road. read more

See all

Late Sunday we and a zillion other people decided to descended up Idle Hands. The poor guy behind the bar was a little under the weather. He could not have been more pleasant and helpful to every single customer. The place is just funky. Great space great mural and nice outside space. They only have popcorn on site but it's good. There is a regular rotation of interesting food trucks. Oh and the beer awesome!! This will be part of our regular rotation. read more

I really enjoy Idle Hands Craft Ales. They have a great selection of Bavarian-style brews and are steps away from the Malden Center T station. They've made some excellent additions to the team behind the bar in the last few months, very helpful and friendly faces representing the business. My favorite beers are the Adelais, which is a German Pilsner, Blanche De Grace (when they have it) a Belgian witbier, and Brunhilda, a Dunkel. Idle Hands has regular events hosted by Brato, including Beer Dinners, which pair multiple courses with beer tastings. They also have a lot of pop-ups, my favorite being Eat More Mexican¡. My least favorite is Hot Chix Nashville Hot Chicken, which has served me severely undercooked chicken. I brought it up, and they told me to "hit us up next time, and we'll cook you another, we just ran out." No thanks, not interested in your raw chicken guys. No fault to Idle Hands for the Hot Chix issues. Overall, it's an awesome spot in Malden that seems to be doing a good job evolving and staying fresh. This is important considering the transformation underway in Malden that is bringing in new businesses, including breweries. read more

Idle Hands Craft Ales - Breweries Near Me - Malden, Massachusetts

This brewery is a gem! It's so refreshing to see a brewery making things besides IPAs and double IPAs. I personally find most IPAs to be gross and double IPAs to be undrinkable, so Idle Hands is much appreciated. They have a good variety of lighter beers and sours, and the beers themselves are really good. My husband who homebrews was impressed. The people working here are also really nice, and we like the space they have set up inside with a bunch of tables (this was pre-COVID). They also have outdoor seating as well. In the past, when we've gone they've had a good partnership with pop-up food places, and we've enjoyed dinner and a beer here which makes the experience even better. Since they're so close to the Malden Center stop, I definitely recommend making this a stop on a day trip to Malden! read more

Had drinks at Idle Hands Craft Ales on Saturday afternoon. A nice beer list, but the packed space and limited food menu are small downsides. Quality: Idle Hands Craft Ales has a solid, diverse, and high-quality beer list. They clearly have a desire to keep old world beers on the menu, but also recognize folks want juicy IPAs. During my visit I ordered a Sampler with Brunhilda, Four Seam, 34, and Barrel-Aged Double Crossroader, and I had Draft Pours of Change-Up #20, Splitter, and Kill Your Idles. My favorite of the bunch was Splitter, one of three NE IPAs, and the one I felt had the best balance. I was also a fan of their imperial stout, and with more time would have loved to try the stronger maple edition. They only offer pretzels and grilled cheese for food, but at the end of our visit a pop-up hot chicken sandwiches place had arrived. Quantity: Sampler came with four 5oz pours, Draft Pours were standard. Value: $14 for a Tickers Delight (Sampler). $7-$9.50 for Draft Pours. Ambiance: Idle Hands Craft Ales is located in Malden, just outside Boston. The brewery is small and stout, with the equipment taking up the majority of the space. A long bar stretched the length of the warehouse with a few rows of picnic tables next to it. In the corner they had a shuffleboard table, which was constantly in use by children. There was also a small outdoor patio, but the combination of cold weather and its location next to the road did not make it very appealing. Crowd: From the moment we arrived it was very busy. They have limited seating, and as a result several guests chose to sit outside in the cold. Service: Friendly and efficient staff. Even with a big crowd, they had beers coming out quick. Parking: Small private parking lot on the side of the brewery. read more

Idle Hands Craft Ales - Beer Menu - Breweries Near Me - Malden, Massachusetts

See all

New place I had never tried before. They had a few outdoor tables and some seating inside. With Covid regulations we had a big party and couldn't all sit at the same table, or even outside. We definitely should have called for a reservation first. Nice beer selection and some nice snacks to order too. Would like to go back and try some more of their stuff. read more

This is an excellent place for alcoholics; those without families, friends, or a need to eat while drinking. The rest of us should really go elsewhere. There are plenty of community-friendly family-friendly breweries in the Boston area, no need to waste your time here. Experience: F. 1. They had a food menu out (image attached ). When we asked to order food we were informed they don't serve food. If that's they case, they may want to remove the food menus on EVERY table in their establishment. I don't know if it was just poorly run or intentional, but both are pretty big missteps 2. When we asked to close the door to the outside (it was a rattler chilly fall day), the bouncer gave an excuse about smoke from the pop-up bratwurst station that was inactive, but about 20 minutes later closed it. 3. The attitude on both of these occasions really did it for us; it was condescending and dismissive. Family friendliness: F . 1. We were asked to put our children in their strollers because they were not permitted to walk around (mind you, they were being carefully followed and supervised by their doting parents) 2. We asked to close the door to keep them from running out in addition to the chill; this was met with more excuses (see above) but 20 minutes later inexplicably the doors were closed. 3. We were told to LEAVE THE ESTABLISHMENT AT 7 because we had children and they expected an increased volume of customers (The children were secured in their strollers at this point because of #1). I'm not saying we would have stayed much later, their bedtimes were rapidly approaching after all, but to be asked to leave as though we were being asked to leave for disorderly conduct, it just makes you feel bad as a customer. In sum, if you really like their beer, maybe get it at a local store or restaurant, but a visit to the brewery is likely to leave most community-minded folks feeling used and disrespected. read more

Idle Hands Craft Ales - Breweries Near Me - Malden, Massachusetts

We love Idle Hands! The staff is so friendly. The pop up food vendors are always great. The beer is awesome and there's always something new! read more

Forst I need to start off by saying that I am not a beer person. I typically don't order a beer, and I am not a craft beer connasieur. That being said, oh my goodness, this is an awesome place!!! The staff here truly are passionate and knowledgeable about their craft. Me not knowing anything, they were very patient and let me taste a few different pours before I found one that I enjoyed. I even got a really charming story about the origins of the names, recipies and brewing of each one I tried. Parking is pretty easy here and you can walk from the Malden Center T stop. There is a cute outdoor seating area, and the inside seating is super casual and trendy. It looks as they also offer a yoga class before the serve on the weekends. That is creative! While we were there, a ton of people came in and purchased cans to go. My husband really liked the Edgeworth. This place could possibly convert me to be a beer drinker! read more

Really decent craft beer. Had to leave with four 4 pack souvenirs. very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Like the smaller venue and more bar like atmosphere. Do a visit and you will leave satisfied. Great pretzels too! read more

Intimate space, definitely need a reservation right now due to limited capacity. Required to order food with drinks. We chose the pretzels and enjoyed. All the beers are very rich in flavor, the radler is great if you want something bright and fresh. read more

Idle Hands Craft Ales - Breweries Near Me - Malden, Massachusetts

See all

Rolled in with my a pizza and two cranky kids. But we had an awesome time. The place was slow so it didn't feel uncomfortable to let the kids walk around. And we played games and enjoyed the game on the big screen. Beer was excellent. Service was excellent. We all left smiling. read more

Aargh, why in the world couldn't this place have existed a decade ago, when I had friends living in Malden just around the corner from Idle Hands? This is an excellent repurposed use of an older building into someplace warm and inviting and containing beer! I enjoyed the variety, and the price was fairly reasonable. I could be content sipping pints or trying flights here. Food choices are available here though somewhat limited. What I'd really love is for Idle Hands to strike up some sort of deal with nearby Pisa Pizza. That would be a match in pizza-and-brew heaven for me! read more

Monday of 4th of July week and was looking for a place to have a beer and relax in the early afternoon; this was the perfect spot. Walked right in and ordered a double ipa and a sour, headed to the patio. Only downside of this spot was a union protest going on across the street. Can't blame the brewery for this and perhaps the guys across the way should come over here after their shift for a cold one! read more

Idle Hands Craft Ales - Jordan trying my six seam double ipa - Breweries Near Me - Malden, Massachusetts

Okay yelp have it your way. Food it is lacking, perhaps you can post your menu on the webpage so my family and I can get a bite to eat or have an idea of what you are serving. Food from another restaurant down the street and steal (on purpose) pretzels aren't quite a food menu are they? The service, regulars who appeared hammered and over served or maybe they were drinking somewhere else prior to this and the hopefully TIP certified bartenders can figure out who should be drinking and who shouldn't. I think you should pay attention to the all the patrons, not just the ones who clearly there every day. This place is nothing more than a bar, with no hard alcohol and lack of food. I think the other reviewer summed it up best, they seem to be more human about the place and took the time to write it better. The prices seemed to be a bit high in my opinion, there's a liquor store next door maybe i am using that as a reference. Again I thought Malden didn't have bar rooms and I thought you needed to have a full food menu to offer patrons, in fact I know this is true so I am not sure why they don't? Also not just sometimes in the summer with food trucks, ALWAYS ! They have parking, yippee but if it's full theres a sign to park somewhere else. Crappy attitude toward me a new customer, but guy seemed very friendly to the drunk regulars. Yelp doesn't let you use names, so I guess too bad for the owner. Don't @ me bro I won't answer you. I don't see this place lasting long with that giant one opening next to All Seasons, but what do I know?!?! read more

Honestly, if you're looking for quality beers this is the place to be. Everything is made with such quality and the taste is everything. I NEVER liked sours until Idle Hands. My favorites if on tap are Triplication, Prome, Four Seam, Emelyn, Klara, Swarm, Six Seam, Helga, Brunhilda, and Adelais. There's hardly a beer that isnt worth the trip. It's got a nice tap room, wonderful bathrooms, and excellent service. Every other brewery looks like the shanty town run by crazed lunatics selling gas water. Don't sleep on Idle Hands. Its quality is unmatched and is one of the superior breweries in Massachusetts. read more

This place is amazing. My favorite beer for miles. So flavorful. I moved to Malden so I can live closer to this brewery. The staff is super attentive and knows my name. I just wish it was summer all the time so we could chill outside. If you visit, don't make the mistake of leaving without a couple four packs. You will regret it when u get home. Speaking from experience. read more

Idle Hands Craft Ales - People enjoying delicious beer - Breweries Near Me - Malden, Massachusetts

Right next door to Night Shift Brewing, Head Brewed Chris and his wife Grace are cranking out some of the best Belgian-style beers I've had the pleasure of tasting thus far! My first visit a few days ago entailed samples of the Patriarch (Patersbier), Cognition ("baby dubbel"), Pandora (Belgian Pale Ale) and Absence of Light (Belgo-Stout). The styles spanned the spectrum from delightful session ales to the heartier AoL which I absolutely loved...enough to take home a growler! These come at $5 for the growler itself and just another $12 for the fill. Simply put, I can't wait to return soon for more! read more

This brewery was a great spot. Quiet and not crowded, large communal tables, and they have a nice variety for beer selections, although they do tend to favor the IPA style beers (great for me) and they do flights as well so you can try more beers. There is no food on site, but they do allow you to order food from outside and have it delivered to the door (tons of options using uber eats, door dash, etc...). I, however, did not check if PostMates delivers to here or not. Parking situation is a little meh, however because it's not super crowded (I came on a Saturday night) I don't see it being an issue. read more

Good beer. Awful Service. I do not like posting bad reviews! This rating is pure generosity when it comes to how they made me feel as a guest. Will not be back. There are other breweries that have good beer but actually care about their guest. read more

Idle Hands Craft Ales - Breweries Near Me - Malden, Massachusetts

Beer is great, accounting for all 4 of the stars, one off for really cranky bartender. This was the third stop on our Fathers Day brewery tour, we were able to grab a table outside which was great because it was stupid hot and stuffy inside. Had we not gotten a seat we couldn't have stayed because a drunk old dad is a sweaty old dad and it was his day after all. We were able to sample just about everything between some pours and a flight, and they were all stellar. But seriously, dude I don't know if you wanted to be home with your kids, or with someone making kids or what, but you were an epic dick when taking our order. You put a pretty sour taste into what had been my old man's Father's Day 2018 Brewery Tour. God forbid you explain a beer or *gasp* be asked to offer a suggestion. read more

Love their seasonal sour series and six seam! Fun indoor seating right near the brew area. Would recommend.

I stopped by to grab a 4 pack to go. Bartender was not helpful and rude. Did not sell it to me because of somebody else with me did not have an id. Do not recommend, better go to night shift brewery. This place is not welcoming you read more

Fantastic taproom that largely focuses on Belgian styles but has a very solid like of IPAs like Two Seam/Four Seam/Six Seam amongst others. We found the taproom very inviting, and since we understand that most taprooms do not have kitchens we were not confused by the fact that there are menus for outside establishments on the tables. We also very much appreciate that other's children are not allowed to be on the loose in an industrial space while their doting parents are drinking beer. All this said we have always enjoyed the beers and the service at Idle Hands and often the brewing staff is around the bar and more than willing to talk about what's on tap and what's in the tanks fermenting. One of my favorite Boston breweries. read more

You're about to be murdered! ...is how I felt walking towards Night Shift. I mean, Night Shift, Idle Hands, and creepy hallways. This is like a bad horror movie, without the nudity (maybe that's on the weekend?) It's good. Really good. The tastings are free-but as I was traveling, I nabbed a tasting glass and a shirt. I really feel Night Shift has more unique beers, but Idle Hands has a nice, well-rounded selection. read more