This piece caught our attention because Massachusetts has a surprisingly rich and often underappreciated craft beverage story. The state's commercial distilling history dates back to pre-Revolutionary War times, when Boston was home to more than 25 distilleries and was the country's leading rum exporter — and that legacy is very much alive today. Massachusetts craft distillers are on the rebound, now numbering nearly 20, with many sourcing local ingredients. When you layer that onto a thriving bar scene where bartenders are leaning into farm-to-glass sourcing and bold flavor innovation, you get a regional craft cocktail culture that genuinely rivals bigger markets. For anyone in the food and beverage space, New England is a great case study in how deep local roots and a strong wellness and craft consumer base can fuel a category's resurgence