Craft Brewery Profile: Navigation Brewing Company
You’ll find the Navigation Brewing Company at 122 Western Avenue in Lowell, MA, right under the Western Avenue Studios sign. They love to show off their stuff and give tours, and you can even bring kids and dogs into the taproom. However, the beer is off-limits for them, and you’ve got to keep them leashed at all times — the dogs, that is. Free-roaming kids are okay.
Navigation Brewing Company is the baby of Head Brewer and CEO Bob Johnson and Brewer and CMO PJ Mercier, who love family and craft brewing, in that order. Creating great new recipes for beer and sharing them with friends and the community is what Navigation Brewing Company is all about.
What’s on Tap?
One of the really cool things about the Navigation Brewing Company is that they’re always switching up their handcrafted beer offerings. You get a wide range to choose from, and you can try something new every time.
You’ll definitely want to try some of the “Limited Batch” ales when you can get your hands on them, which include mouth-watering options like a rich Chocolate Oatmeal Stout or Coffee Porter, a seasonal Summer Ale or Winter Warmer, or classics like Blonde Ale, Brown Ale and Altbier. You’ll also be excited by Navigation’s “Uncharted Series” of pale ales, such as the NEAP (Navigation Extra American Pale), the Dead Ahead Double IPA and the Cocked Hat Double IPA.
Make Sure to Catch…
…the taproom, where you can enjoy 16-ounce pours and growler fills Thursday through Saturday afternoons/evenings, from 4-9, 5-9 and 2-8 p.m., respectively. You can also pick up some genuine Navigation Brewing Company merch while you’re there.
While you’re enjoying your brew, wander outside and get some street treats at the food truck that’s often waiting. You can also rent out the taproom for private parties. Come visit during the warmer weather months and spend time getting to know your fellow craft beer lovers at the outdoor patio, where you can sit, relax and enjoy the various taste sensations or play some backyard games with old beer-loving friends or new ones.

Craft Beers
- NEAP
- American Pale Ale 38 IBU 5.7%
- Pale Ale
- American Pale Ale 37 IBU 5.9%
- IPA
- IPA 71 IBU 6%
- Double IPA
- Double IPA 75 IBU 9%
- Milk Stout
- Stout 28 IBU 7%
- Blonde Ale
- Blond Ale 31 IBU 6.2%
- Cocked Hat
- Double IPA 75 IBU 9%