Skip to main content

You Can Drink a Boston Lager at Fenway Park’s New ‘Sam Deck’

fenway park sam deck view
Lee Heidel/The Manual

There are few icons in the world of baseball as classic as Fenway Park.

Home to the Boston Red Sox since 1912, the historic field is a time machine as much as a baseball stadium. The analog scoreboard information is still updated by hand, and the park feels small and intimate thanks to its many famous design quirks — like Pesky’s Pole, “The Triangle,” and The Green Monster hulking over left field.

Recommended Videos

But that’s not to say Fenway is completely stuck in the past. Over the years, important changes have been made, like establishing an upper deck of seating and adding lights for night games. And of course, to appease modern baseball enthusiasts, the park has an all-important beer garden.

For the 2018 season, what was once known as the “Budweiser Right Field Roof Deck” has been rechristened the “Sam Deck.” Sam is short for Samuel Adams, the hometown Boston brewery that reigns as the largest craft brewery in the United States. Not only did the Fenway bar, food service, and seating area get a new name, but Samuel Adams has also been designated the official beer of the Red Sox.

For fans who want to watch the game, socialize, eat, and (of course) drink in style, an upgraded ticket option gets you access to seats and tables at the Sam Deck. It’s a unique viewpoint to observe Major League Baseball with a crowd of friends, while perched high on the edge of the outfield, a plastic cup of beer resting comfortably on a table and not wedged between your legs. Although the deck is a relatively new addition, the space feels just as quaint and accessible as Fenway’s original features.

The Sam Deck encompasses more than 6,000 square feet and the area is proudly emblazoned with the logo and symbols of its sponsor. The Samuel Adams name is propped up high against the back of the stadium, and you’ll find the familiar red, white, and blue logo mark on surfaces throughout the deck. There’s even a statue of the brewery’s namesake pioneer looking out over the bar.

The food available at the Sam Deck can be described as elevated ballpark fare. Yes, you can get hot dogs, pretzels, and souvenir packs of game day favorites like cotton candy and popcorn, but if you’re looking for something a bit more interesting, highlights on the menu include the short rib grilled cheese, local favorite lobster rolls, and decadent fried dough.

The real star of the Sam Deck is, of course, the beer. You’ll find the classic brewery staple Sam Adams Boston Lager on tap, along with Rebel IPA and the new Sam ’76, a flavorful and thirst-quenching ale/lager hybrid.

The Sam Deck is a must-visit destination for fans of baseball and craft beer. You can secure your space on the Sam Deck when purchasing tickets for Red Sox games at Fenway with table, bar stool, and standing room options. The facility can also be reserved for private events.

Photos by Lee Heidl/The Manual (unless otherwise noted).

Lee Heidel
Lee Heidel is the managing editor of Brew/Drink/Run, a website and podcast that promotes brewing your own beer, consuming the…
Myths busted: Why rinsing your beer glass matters more than you think
Beer glass rinsing 101
beer

Myths run riot in the land of drinks and we're on a mission to dispel them. Just ask the chill-able red wine or age-worthy beer. There are rules in beer, cocktail, and wine culture, sure, but there are also misconceptions and unknowns very much worth figuring out.

You know the sayings: Rum is only for tiki drinks, mezcal is just a smoky version of tequila, or you can't make a good non-alcoholic beer. We know these things to be untrue as we've tasted the evidence.

Read more
What is Gibraltar coffee? The trendy espresso drink you need to try
Where and how this tiny espresso drink began
gibraltar coffee

Found only at select coffee shops is the Gibraltar coffee -- a coffee menu item that will leave you saying, "What is that?" based on its name alone. This specialty coffee originated in San Francisco at Blue Bottle Coffee but has since spread to small coffee shops worldwide. I'd describe this coffee as similar to a Cortado, yet these two drinks have unique differences.

When I first saw a Gibraltar coffee at a coffee shop, I knew I needed to learn more about what this coffee was all about. I chatted with Gibraltar coffee expert Vadym Granovskiy, an expert in coffee Artistry, expertise and mentorship, and TEDx Kyiv Speaker, to learn everything about the Gibraltar coffee -- from how it's made to how it was invented. Granovskiy is especially inspired by the story behind the accidental invention of Gibraltar coffee, drawing inspiration as a coffee lover himself. In his free time, he loves to experiment with new coffee and espresso beverages.

Read more
World Whiskey Society is launching a bourbon that’s finished in a rare, Japanese cask
World Whiskey Society's newest bourbon was dubbed "Samurai Edition"
Whiskey in a glass

Fans of exceptional, unique whiskey know all about the World Whiskey Society's prowess. Founded in 2020, this brand strives to bring rare, ultra-premium expressions to whiskey drinkers' home bars and liquor cabinets. Its newest whiskey combines America's "native spirit" with the aging techniques popularized in Japan.
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished In Japanese Mizunara Shochu Barrels

To say this whiskey is unique is an understatement. This 108-proof Kentucky straight bourbon dubbed the "Samurai Edition" begins with a mash bill of 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley. Originating at the renowned Bardstown Bourbon Company, it's first matured in charred white American oak barrels before being finished in rare Japanese Mizunara oak casks previously used to age Shochu.

Read more