Foxborough Seasonal Beer Garden Opening Memorial Day Weekend

FOXBOROUGH, MA — A popular craft brewery will open a seasonal beer garden in Foxborough Memorial Day Weekend, following the selectmen unanimously approving its pouring license.

The license allows Shovel Town Brewery, of Easton, to run the beer garden at a vacant lot behind the Chestnut Green Plaza. The license is for 30 days and runs through July 11. If all goes well, the brewery can get an additional two 30-day licenses, which would allow the beer garden to remain open until the end of October.

Board members said they preferred this licensing approach because the town has never done something like this before, and neighbors have criticized the beer garden over concerns of noise and potential safety issues.

The beer garden will consist of a 20-foot by 30-foot tent with 28 picnic tables, on-site parking for 58 vehicles and food service available either from nearby restaurants, food trucks or a temporary food stand.

Shovel Town will open from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays, from noon to 10 p.m., Saturdays and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays and holidays.

Town officials said the licensing arrangement complies with Gov. Charlie Baker's executive order relaxing outdoor dining regulations during the coronavirus pandemic. If Baker rescinds the order, the beer garden would have to close within 60 days, Town Manager William Keegan said.