Best Brewery
Winner: Greater Good Imperial Brewing*, in Worcester
Website: www.greatergoodimperials.com
Top executive: Nathaniel Davis, CEO
Founded: 2015
Employees: 20
Notable runners-up: Tree House Brewing in Charlton, Wormtown Brewing in Worcester, Wachusett Brewing in Westminster, Seven Saws Brewing in Holden, Cold Harbor Brewing in Westborough
For Paul Wengender, who founded Worcester’s Greater Good Imperial Brewing in 2015, brewing solved a problem.
When he drank beer, he preferred to have just one or two high-quality beverages with alcohol contents closer to wine than to a light beer. His options were limited.
“He found that the beers that were on the market at the time were coming off as boozy, syrupy, harsh flavored,” said J.T. Ethier, who took over business operations for the company when Wengender stepped back from day-to-day management in 2024. “A lot of breweries developing high-alcohol beer would just take a typical recipe and add sugar.”
So Wengender set out to develop his own recipes, building strong flavors that could stand up to a high alcohol-by-volume level. When he went from amateur home brewing to commercial sales, he started by contracting with breweries to make his recipes, selling at local stores and bars.
Then, in 2018, Greater Good moved production to Worcester and opened a taproom. There, customers can experience the brewery’s offerings alongside choices from an extensive menu, and maybe a trivia night or live music, depending on the day.
“It really creates more of a personal experience,” Ethier said.
The focus on high-ABV, or imperial, beers helps Greater Good stand out in a crowded market. For example, its Goodnight Moon 11% ABV chocolate stout is intended as an after-dinner beer comparable to a desert wine.
To serve brewpub diners who want a lighter option, the company developed a line of lower ABV beers called Soul Purpose, which it now sells in stores alongside the larger Greater Good line.
In June of 2025, Greater Good was acquired by Barrel One Collective, a company formed through the 2025 merger of Boston-based Mass. Bay Brewing Company, owner of Harpoon Brewery, and Finestkind Brewing, which operated Smuttynose Brewery in New Hampshire. Barrel One includes more than a dozen New England brands, including Central Massachusetts’ Wachusett Brewing.
The new ownership brings a local Worcester connection. Barrel One Co-founder and President Dan Kenary grew up in Newton Square and has been taking part in local events such as an after-hours Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce functions at Greater Good.
The Greater Good facility now brews beers for all the brands in the collective. Ethier said the diversification of products has been a nice shift for the brewing staff. At one point, much of their time was devoted to making the brand’s most popular beer, Pulp Daddy, an 8% ABV IPA. Now, Ethier said, they can do more unique things.
The new ownership means greater distribution opportunities for the Greater Good brand, which is already available across most of the Northeast. Barrel One has relationships with distributors across the country.
“So the future for Greater Good is bright for distribution as well,” Ethier said.
– Story by Livia Gershon
*denotes repeat winner
Best Marijuana Company
Winner: Bud’s Goods & Provisions*, in Worcester
Bud’s Goods & Provisions operates cannabis retail locations in Worcester, Abington, and Watertown. The company offers in-house cannabis brands including Bud’s Flower in various sizes, Jay’s pre-rolls, Lil’ Jay’s 10-packs, Party Packs of half-gram pre-rolls, and Goodies infused pre-rolls. Bud’s maintains wholesale operations in Massachusetts and New Jersey, serving both retail customers and wholesale partners.
Website: budsgoods.com
Top executive: Alex Mazin, president & CEO
Founded: 2018
Employees: 120
Notable runners-up: Major Bloom in Worcester, Diem Cannabis in Worcester
Best Restaurant for Business Dinner
Winner: One Eleven Chop House*, in Worcester
One Eleven separates itself from the competition by delivering tremendous value. Its steaks are hand selected, certified prime-grade and are typically $10 to $25 less than comparable Boston steak houses and national chains. The wine list has received Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence annually since 2001.
Top executives: Robb and Madeleine Ahlquist, founders; Caitlyn Carolan, president & owner of Worcester Restaurant Group; Keith Carolan, chief operating officer & owner of Worcester Restaurant Group; Aaron Francisco, general manager of One Eleven Chop House
Founded: 1999
Employees: 92
Notable runners-up: The Sole Proprietor in Worcester, VIA Italian Table in Worcester
Best Caterer
Winner: Peppers Artful Events*, in Northborough
Peppers Artful Events provides catering and event services for corporate gatherings, weddings, nonprofit events, and private celebrations. The company offers scratch-made food with seasonal and regional sourcing, including greens grown in an on-site Freight Farm. Services include professional front-of-house teams, bar and beverage service, rentals, and event coordination.
Website: www.peppersartulevents.com
Top executive: Owen Wiggins, owner
Founded: 1987
Employees: 50
Notable runners-up: Simply Delicious Catering in Worcester, Creedon & Co. in Worcester
Best Locally Owned Place to Meet for Coffee
Winner: Sturbridge Coffee House*, in Sturbridge
Sturbridge Coffee House provides handcrafted beverages and breakfast and lunch sandwiches. The business supports local events and incorporates trends and concepts from domestic and international travel into menu development.
Website: www.sturbridgecoffeehouse.com
Top executive: Pia Dowd, owner
Founded: 2007
Employees: 35
Notable runners-up: Fuel America – Grove Street in Worcester, Bean Counter Bakery Cafe in Worcester, Brilla Coffee in Holden, Lost Shoe Brewing and Roasting in Marlborough
Best After-Work Bar
Winner: The Mercantile Rooftop Restaurant & Bar*, in Worcester
The Mercantile offers New American tavern cuisine, artisan brick-oven pizzas, and two full-service bars serving craft cocktails, local beer, and seasonal beverages. The two-floor restaurant features 50-seat bars on each level, a private event room, and a rooftop patio with downtown Worcester views. Located near the DCU Center and Polar Park, The Mercantile is operated by Broadway Hospitality Group.
Website: www.themercantileworcester.com
Top executive: Stephen DeSousa, CEO
Founded: 2004
Employees: 2,536 company-wide; 2,220 in Massachusetts
Notable runners-up: One Eleven Chop House in Worcester, Armsby Abbey in Worcester
Best Restaurant for Business Lunch
Winner: VIA Italian Table, in Worcester
VIA Italian Table offers is world-class hospitality, operating under the belief business meals should feel effortless, welcoming, and impeccably cared for. VIA features scratch-made Italian food, artisan pastas, wood-grilled specialties, and a curated wine list, always crafted with freshness and quality at the forefront.
Website: www.viaitaliantable.com
Top executives: Robb and Madeleine Ahlquist, founders; Caitlyn Carolan, president & owner of Worcester Restaurant Group; Keith Carolan, chief operating officer & owner of Worcester Restaurant Group; Jon Odgren, general manager of VIA Italian Table
Founded: 2007
Employees: 91
Notable runners-up: The Sole Proprietor in Worcester, Sturbridge Porterhouse, 110 Grill in Worcester
