A Boston Lager at Sam Adams Boston Taproom.

Sip on a brighter Boston Lager. | Photo by BOStoday team

The big game is coming up on Sunday, Feb. 12, and while we won’t be cheering on the 8-9 Patriots this year, we will be tuning in for the most entertaining part of the program. No, we aren’t talking about the Rihanna halftime show — we mean the commercials.

We got a little sip of this year’s Sam Adams commercial and there is a lot going on, so let’s dive in.

Like many Super Bowl ads, the 60-second video features famous faces, like retired Celtics player Kevin Garnett, comedian Lenny Clarke, and local celebrity “Your Cousin from Boston,” Greg Hoyt. The commercial was filmed at seven locations across Boston, including Southie’s Croke Park (aka Whitey’s), Commonwealth Books + Fenway Park.

The main message: to picture a “brighter Boston” ahead of the changes coming soon to the flagship, award-winning Boston Lager beer. Don’t panic Boston, the 40-year-old recipe hasn’t changed. The brewing process has evolved to be more modern by using a traditional German practice, which will result in a brighter, easier-drinking beer.

The commercial took a creative approach to writing a love letter for the city by imagining things that could make Boston more positive, kind of like what we do every day with this newsletter.

Think: giving Yankees fans a warm welcome at Fenway, insisting someone else takes your parking spot, and highlighting the importance of recycling + spreading love instead of talking trash.

Since we are picturing a more positive city, we’re curious. What do you think would make Boston brighter?

POLL

Do you like Sam Adams Boston Lager?

A. It’s my favorite
B. Not my cup of tea
C. I might try it now
D. I’m not a beer drinker

DRINK IT UP

EVENTS

Click here to have your event featured.

Wednesday, Feb. 1

Young Professionals Happy Hour | Wednesday, Feb. 1 | 5-7 p.m. | Baramor, 45 Union St., Newton Centre | $10 | Connect with young professionals, build your professional network, and support Good Shepard Community Care.
IAP Film Screening Series: “First Person Singular: I.M. Pei” | Wednesday, Feb. 1 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Bartos Theate, 20 Ames St., Building E15, Cambridge | Free, registration required | Join the MIT List Visual Arts Center for a screening of the documentary by director Peter Rosen.

Thursday, Feb. 2

Wine School: Loire Valley Love Affair: Muscadet | Thursday, Feb. 2 | 6-7 p.m. | Wild Child, 1 Bow Market Way, Suite 32, Somerville | $30 | This hour-long class is a four-part series to sample wine from the Loire Valley.
X-Night Beer Hall 10th Anniversary Edition | Thursday, Feb. 2 | 7 p.m. | Harpoon Brewery, 306 Northern Ave., Boston | $30 | Sip on beers from years past at Harpoon’s Seaport beer hall.

Friday, Feb. 3

French Lesson Friday | Friday, Feb. 3 | 6 p.m. | Rochambeau, 900 Boylston St., Boston | $15 | This lesson will focus on learning how to ask someone out on a date, say common pickup lines, and address people in French.

Saturday, Feb. 4

Boston Cocktail Challenge | Saturday, Feb. 4 | 2 p.m. | Time Out Market Boston, 401 Park Dr., Boston | $29-$49 | Learn to make cocktails and vote on each team’s creation to decide the winning sip.

Sunday, Feb. 5

New England Farm & Fiber Festival | Sunday, Feb. 5 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Boston Public Market, 100 Hanover St., Boston | Free to attend | The fourth annual event is a celebration of farmers and the love and care that they have for their fiber flocks.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

NEWS NOTES

Weather

32º | Sunny | 0% chance of rain

Announced

The Stage at Suffolk Downs has announced the first events for the new concert venue. Re:SET will feature headliners Steve Lacy, LCD Soundsystem, and boygenius on June 16-18. The East Boston racetrack, located at 525 William F McClellan Hwy., is able to host up to 8,500 fans. Tickets go on sale to the public Friday, Feb. 10 at 10 a.m.

Concert

Get ready to “Dance, Dance” — Fall Out Boy announced the rock band is bringing the “So Much For (Tour) Dust” to Fenway Park on Wednesday, Aug. 2. Tickets go on sale Friday, Feb. 3 at 10 a.m. 🎵

Number

$26,000+. That’s the annual cost for infant center-based child care in Middlesex + Norfolk counties, according to data from the Department of Labor. This amount is the third-highest in the US, behind Arlington County, VA and San Francisco County, CA. Suffolk and Essex counties also placed in the top 20%. (Boston Globe)

Arts

Due to popular demand, the Broadway production of “Into the Woods” has been extended for another week. The performance will now be at the Emerson Colonial Theatre from Tuesday, March 21-Sunday, April 2. Tickets start at $39.

Sports

The Red Sox have traded reliever Matt Barnes to the Miami Marlins for left-hander Richard Bleier. The Sox will cover a portion of Barnes’ salary as part of the deal. Bleier is a South Florida native and has played with the Marlins since 2020. ⚾ (MLB)

Biz

The Wall Street Journal’s list of the Best and Worst Airlines is out, and JetBlue has been designated the worst airline in the US for the second year in a row. Logan Airport’s largest carrier was ranked based on seven metrics, including on-time arrivals, canceled flights, and mishandled baggage. ✈️ (WSJ)

Ranked

No. 5. That’s where Massachusetts’s education system has ranked on the 2023 Best and Worst School Systems Scholaroo list. The Bay State ranked the best for student success with the third lowest dropout rate + the second highest math test scores. ✏️

Seasonal

Instead of roses or chocolate, opt for an experiential Valentine’s Day gift this year, like an intimacy card deck or chocolate truffle making kit from Uncommon Goods. Wanna plan the ultimate date night? Order this fondue set for two or enjoy this virtual romantic painting class. 💝 *

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

ICYMI

A January recap challenge 🧩

What do you remember from the last 31 days? | Photo by @walks_with_liz

Can you believe January is over already? So many exciting things happened, from a new monument installation to celebrations across the city. Here are just a few things we covered in the last 31 days in our newsletter and on our social channels.

Test your local knowledge that you gained from our newsletters + complete this January crossword puzzle.

TAKE A GUESS

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Jessica.

Editor’s pick: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so skip the Frosted Flakes and try this new cereal called “Wicked Smarts.” 🥣

The fruity marshmallow mix was created by Celtics player Marcus Smart + will be sold locally at Boston grocery stores like Star Market, Market Basket, and Stop & Shop. The box will be hard to miss — inspired by the basketball player’s vibrant hair, the box is green and black with neon lightning bolts. Pour yourself an extra bowl, because a portion of the sales will benefit The Young Game Changer Foundation.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Here’s what’s cooking at Charlestown’s Foundation Kitchen.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Jessica Burton, Sara Frazier, Josh Kranzberg, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Peter Baldassare | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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