Pretty Things Beer and Ale Project
February 23, 2010 by Chris
Filed under Brewery Profiles
Wachusett Brewing Company
February 23, 2010 by Chris
Filed under Brewery Profiles
High & Mighty Beer Company
February 23, 2010 by Parker
Filed under Brewery Profiles
High & Mighty Beer Company began in 2006 as an offshoot of Shelton Brothers beer importing company. Will Shelton took his idea for a novel German-style ale to Paper City Brewery in Holyoke, Massachusetts, and Beer of the Gods was born, to extraordinary commercial success, critical acclaim, and unabashed adoration from beer geeks the world over. Eventually, Will discovered that he enjoyed selling the beer he made even more than he did the splendid beers that Shelton Brothers imports, and in June 2008, he abandoned his brother to focus on making American beer that added an American attitude to the best of European beer styles.
High & Mightly beer is currently made at Paper City, but look for High & Mighty to open a brewery of its own in 2010.
Honest Town Brewery
February 21, 2010 by Parker
Filed under Brewery Profiles
Honest Town Brewery is located in Southbridge, Massachusetts. It was founded in 2005 and takes its name from one of the proposed names for Southbridge. Honest Town Brewery brews three year round beers and many specialty brews, which are available seasonally. Its brewer s Michael Labbe, who can be reached via e-mail at brewer@12crane.com. Labbe is also the American Beer coordinator for the Great British Beer Festival in London England and the head cellar man for the New England Real Ale eXhibition, and cellar man for the British Beer Company’s pubs.
Honest Town Brewery’s year round beers include Padraig’s Irish Red, a dark ale with a unique red color and a crisp finish from malted barley; S.O.B or Southbridge Ordinary Bitter, the brewery’s lightest offering which provides easy drinking and a light malt aroma and crisp hop finish; and Blueberry, a light, refreshing ale with a taste of blueberry. Seasonally, Honest Town Brewery offers an American Pale Ale, Hefe Weizen, Antul’s 80 Shilling, Imperial Sturbridge Coffee Roasters Stouth, Honest Town Uberraschen Hefeweizen, Honest Town IPA, and Carpall Dorche Stout. Its present seasonal offering is the Capall Dorche Stout, which is black and velvety smooth with a rich, creamy feel. It contains mild roasted flavors and a cocoa and milk chocolate finish. It contains Nugget and East Kent Goldings hops.
Honest Town Brewery is a part of the 12 Crane complex, located at 12 Crane Street, Southbridge, Masachusetts. Its phone number is 508-764-1100. There, one can enjoy Honest Town Brewery offerings at the Dark Horse Tavern.
Visit http://www.12crane.com/honesttown/index.php to learn more.
Opa Opa Brewing Company
February 21, 2010 by Parker
Filed under Brewery Profiles
The Opa Opa Brewing Co. was founded in Southhampton Massachusetts by Dan Kramer, Dennis Bates (Brewmaster), and Tony Rizos. Following the success of their Southampton brewery they opened a second one in Williamsburg, Maine. They are located on Route 10 (169 College Highway) in Southampton, MA.
Some of the beers brewed by Opa Opa include Opa Opa Light, which is a crisp malt with a low-calorie pilsner style lager; Kix Brew, which is a light bodied ale with low bitterness and a smooth finish, and Opa American Wheat, which was a Silver Medal Winner at the Great American Beer Festival in 2006. Other beers of Opa Opa Brewing Company that have won awards include the Honesty 57 Pale Ale, which won the Silver Medal at the 2007 Great International Beer Festival; and the Opa Opa Red Rock Amber, which won the Gold Medal at the Great International Beer Festival in 2005 and 2007. Opa Opa also creates many seasonal brews such as the popular Opa Blueberry Lager.
The success of Opa Opa has spread around the country. Many restaurants and bars on the east coast have began to sell their brews including Massachusetts, Florida, and Connecticut. They have also been featured in various local publications such as Business West and The Republican, as well as on CBS 3 Springfield.
The Opa Opa Brewing Company is located at: 162 College Highway Southampton, MA 01073. They give weekly brewery tours, and can be contacted at 413-527-8282.
For more information, visit http://www.opaopabrewing.com.
Sherwood Forest Brewers
November 14, 2009 by Parker
Filed under Brewery Profiles
Sherwood Forest Brewers was started in 1997 by Dave Lambert, a home brewer with high ambition. Like many local brewers, Dave would not be satisfied until his hobby turned into his job.  Blessed by the location of the famous Sherwood Forest, Dave’s hobby soon became a reality by successful marketing, friends, and beer.
Sherwood Forest’s beers are all named appropriately – Archer’s English-Style Pale Ale (Robin Hood Themed), Sheriff’s India Pale Ale, Maiden’s Blueberry Ale, and Friar’s Belgian Style Wheat Ale.
Sherwood Forest Brewers, Marlborough, MA
For more information, visit http://www.sherwoodbrewers.com/
Haverhill Brewery – The Tap Brewpub
September 4, 2009 by Parker
Filed under Brewery Profiles
Haverhill Brewery/The Tap Brewpub was founded in 2003 in the old shoe mill area of Haverhill Massachussettes. Paying homage to its roots, the Tap uses old wooden shoes as it’s tap heads, and uses names such as Leatherlips IPA and HaverAle.
Haverhill Brewery, The Tap Brewpub, Haverhill MA
Here are a few of the limited releases from the Haverhill Brewery website (www.haverhillbrewery.com):
Ascension Belgian Style IPA
7.3%abv 60 ibu
Release Date: 06/18/09
Our Belgian IPA isn’t quite like any other beer. We brew using the highest quality malts, but the real focus is the hops. We use extensive amounts of Noble Saaz hops for aroma and flavor, giving the beer a clean, peppery finish. The Belgian yeast strain we ferment with adds a natural spiciness, so the finish is surprisingly refreshing – inviting another sip.
La Dame de Peronne
6.8%abv 26 ibu
Release Date: 08/25
Our La Dame is modeled after the traditional Northern French farmhouse Biere de Garde (beer for keeping). Our version is brewed with six different French, German, and Belgian malts giving it a complex malt sweetness balanced by noble hops. We ferment with a lager yeast but at ale yeast fermentation temperatures, giving it a deliciously unique and smooth profile reminiscent of both a German Maerzen and a French Saison.
Rock Bottom Brewery Boston
August 20, 2009 by Parker
Filed under Brewery Profiles
Similar to the Boston Beer Works in concept, The Rock Bottom Brewery, contrary to Bostonian belief is a national brewpub chain. The Rock Bottom Brewery & Restaurant Company, is based out of Colorado, and operates 35 locations nationwide.
The Rock Bottom Brewery in Boston, offers several fresh, handcrafted beers ranging from IPAs to Lagers. Although you won’t find the variety that you will at CBC and Beer Works, Rock Bottom at 115 Stuart Street in Boston is worth the visit.
Rock Bottom Brewery, 115 Stuart Street, Boston MA
Other Notes: Rock Bottom Wins Top Honors at 2008 GABF
Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery is named the “Large Brewpub and Large Brewpub Brewer of the Year” at the 2008 Great American Beer festival!
Tapping: Cranberry Wheat
August 2009
Tapping: Rocktoberfest
September 2009
Tapping: Pumpkin Ale
October 2009
Tapping: Liquid Happiness
November 2009
Berkshire Brewing Company
June 22, 2009 by Parker
Filed under Brewery Profiles
Berkshire Brewing Company, of South Deerfield Massachusetts, was established in 1994 by Christopher Lalli and Gary Bogoff, with the intent of brewing fine, regional, craft beers.
The beers of Berkshire Brewing Company are completely un-filtered, with no chemicals added. Currently, Berkshire Brewing Company produces 9 year-round beers, with a number of seasonals. Tours are available at the brewery.
Berkshire Brewing Company, Deerfield, MA
Berkshire Brewing Company’s Beers
(from BerkshireBrewingCompany.com)
Floor Malt Pils (limited time only) – This Pilsner is a true lager brewed with authentic Czech Republic two row floor malt. It is light in color, dry & crisp and hopped with Czech Sazz to impart a subtle bitterness in the finish.
Steal Rail Extra Pale Ale – A light colored, medium bodied, full flavored American style Ale. Steel Rail E.P.A. is our flagship product that has a full malt flavor and is balanced with a pronounced hop flavor and bitterness. Available on draft, 64oz. growlers and 22oz. bottles (Ale for Two). 5.3%
Traditional Pale Ale – A Traditional Pale Ale with a deep copper color, a caramel/malt flavor and a very rich hop aroma and flavor. Available on draft, 64oz. growlers and 22oz. bottles (Ale for two). 6.3%
Drayman’s Porter – A full bodied dark Ale with pleasant chocolate/roasted malt flavor with a slight malty sweetness that is balanced with a delicate hop bitterness, flavor and aroma. A smooth and memorable taste experience. 6.2%
Lost Sailor India Pale Ale – A medium bodied India Pale Ale, dry hopped to provide a very pleasing flora, citrus aroma. Well balanced between malty sweetness and hop bitterness. A very thirst quenching IPA. 5.5%
Shabadoo Black and Tan Ale – A full bodied dark ale which is a blend of our Berkshire Ale and Drayman’s Porter. It combines the caramel malt flavor of the pale ale with the chocolate roasted taste of the porter. Shabadoo is a complete and delicious ale. 6.3%. 10% of the proceeds go to the Western Mass Food Bank in honor of Joe, the creator and good friend.
Imperial Stout – A dark rich creamy ale. This is our version of this classic stout style. With its dense black color and velvety texture, our stout’s flavor hints of chocolate liquorice and coffee. This ale is truly a meal in a glass. 8.5%
River Ale – A medium bodied dark ale which contains a portion of wheat malt. River Ale has a slightly sweet malty, nutty flavor and is delicately hopped to provide a unique and pleasing taste. 7.0%.
Coffee House Porter – This dark ale combines the taste of real organic coffee with out popular Drayman’s Porter. The robust coffee flavor comes via a special coffee extract made exclusively by Dean’s Beans, New Salem Ma. 6.2%
For a full list of beers and more information, visit BerkshireBrewingCompany.com
Northampton Brewery
June 14, 2009 by Parker
Filed under Brewery Profiles
The Northampton Brewery was conceived in 1986 by Brother and Sister, Janet and Peter Egelston. Janet and Peter opened their second brewpub, the Portsmouth Brewery in Portsmouth, New Hampshire in 1991; in 1994 they opened a microbrewery, also in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Smuttynose Brewing Company.
The Egelson siblings opened the Northampton Brewery after visiting a small California Brewpub, Front Street Brewpub, in Santa Cruz. At that moment they envisioned opening a similar brewpub in western Massachusetts, one which would serve as a community center for great food and drink; where families get together for quality time.
Northampton Brewery, Northampton, MA
Northampton Brewery offers many outstanding year-round and seasonal brews. Here is a full list of their offerings from www.NorthamptonBrewery.com:
Year Round
(Snow)(Sand)(No) Shovel ESB: This extra special bitter is a well balanced representation of the English style. This beer has a malty presence with a lingering hop finish.
Altbier: This Sticke Altbier is a deep copper colored, full bodied and generously hopped ale. It has the flavor complexity of an ale, the Nobel hop bouquet of a pils and the smooth finish of an Octoberfest.
Black Cat Stout: A full bodied, rich and creamy, dry Irish stout. It is deeply complex with lingering notes of roasted coffee. Great on its own, but even better with dessert.
Byzantine Blonde: After a long hiatus, this beautiful golden blonde is back! Slightly fruity with a dry crisp finish.
Daniel Shays Best Bitter: This English style best bitter starts off malty on the palate and finishes hoppy; named for our area’s historic “bitter” rebel.
Golden Lager: Our version of a classic pilsner, light bodied and crisp finish with imported Czech saaz hops. Thirst quenching and smooth drinking.
Hefe-Weizenheimer: Our version of a German style wheat beer. We use a 60/40 ratio of malted wheat to barley. Unfiltered light bodied with just a hint of hops and citrus.
Hoover’s Porter: This delicious, dark ruby colored ale is full bodied, with a roasted malt palette and plenty of hops to back it up.
Nonotuck IPA: Our version of an India Pale Ale. This straw colored beer is hoppy, hoppy, hoppy.
Northampton Pale Ale: A medium bodied, copper colored English style bitter. Well balanced, with a solid hop finish. Available here in 64 ounce growlers.
Old Brown Dog: An old favorite, “a malty beer with a little hop bite” best describes this nut-brown ale. It won a silver medal in the Great American Beer Festival.
Paradise City Gold: A light bodied golden ale, crisp, easy drinkin’ beer.
Redheaded Stepchild: Our “adopted” version of an Irish red ale is medium bodied and surprisingly hoppy.
Unquamonk Amber Lager: A crisp, slightly sweet version of a Vienna style lager. Imported Czech saaz hops lend a hint of spiciness to the finish. Compliments any meal or snack.
Windbreaker Hefeweizen: Our unfiltered wheat beer made with a 70:30 ratio of malted wheat to malted barley. This beer is cloudy and full-bodied.
Specialty
88′ Tor: This lager is a double bock made with wheat, malty through and through. Double in strength, it was originally (and only once before) brewed for Christmas of 1988. It has been brewed again to celebrate our 20th anniversary year.
Alpha Project (Centennial): The first in a series of pale ales with the same grain profile, intended to showcase a single hop variety, in this case centennial.
Black Boots: The evil twin of our Blue Boots IPA, it’s our first Black India pale ale. A dark ale that’s anything but malty, it has all the hoppiness you expect from our IPAs
Blue Boots IPA: This India pale ale is light in color, strong in body, and mouth-puckeringly bitter. 3 grains and 4 types of hops make this unfiltered ale complex.
Conundrum: This German-style Schwarzbier is our first black lager. Dark in color and light flavor, it’s as confusing as it is delicious.
Dunkelweizen: A German style dark wheat beer. It has a light body despite its dark hue and is a touch hoppier than you might expect
Hoppily Ever After: A little sweet, a little bitter and complex, just like a relationship. Hopping gives this dry ale a great, citrus aroma. Brewed in celebration of a special wedding here at the Northampton Brewery.
Hopzilla: An aggressive IPA brewed with 575 Lbs of grain in honor of our Beerku contest. Light, clean, and bitter; this hop monster is not for the faint of heart.
Jess’ Goodbye Rye P.A.: An India pale ale brewed with rye. It has a hoppy, spicy bite, a dry finish, and some say the bitter sweetness of a friend leaving. Brewed to commemorate 9 years of hard work.
Magic Carpet Rye: A German style rye beer made with pilsner malt. Light in body, spicy with a crisp, dry finish, this is a summertime session beer. You’ll want more than one, and at 4.5% ABV, you can.
Make My Day IPA: This hoppy India Pale Ale is hopped with Magnum hops. It has great hop aroma and a solid hop punch.
Spring Bock: A smooth, malty, medium-bodied lager.
Spring Fling: Brewed specially for the opening of our deck, this IPA is light an low in alcohol. With a mild bitterness for the hop content, this ale invokes the green of spring.
Wild Blue Funk: Take wild Maine blueberries and our funky Belgian yeast strain and add it to a Wit beer. The result is not too sweet and all together tantalizing.
Seasonal + High ABV
Decadent Ale: This is a rich full-bodied English style strong ale, malty, hoppy and full strength. Originally made to commemorate our 10th anniversary.
Double Decadent Ale: Brewed especially for our 20th anniversary, this imperial strong ale is a powerhouse! Plenty of malt, full bodied and more than full strength 11% ABV. Available only in 8oz or 12oz sizes.
Double Take IPA: A amber colored double IPA with citrus and floral aromas, a hop lover’s dream! 9% ABV please enjoy responsibly.
Graduation Ale: A light bodied wheat ale that has been fermented with fresh raspberries and strawberries.
Humbug: Our Holiday ale for 2008 a hybrid IPA, darker in color with an intricate hop aroma. Strong enough for the holidays.
Imperial Stout: Our imperial stout is as bold, black, and bitter as dark chocolate or French roast coffee…and just as addictive. 9% ABV. *Available in snifters only.
Maggie’s Wee Heavy: A wee heavy style Scotch ale with a rich, robust, malty pallet. Full strength, full bodied and full of flavor! Available in 12oz and 8oz sizes only: 8% ABV
Mean Green: This double India Pale Ale is a hop hammer. Loads of hops and a solid malt backbone, this balanced ale is the dry-hopped until delicious.
Oatmeal Stout: A deep rich stout made with organic rolled oats, this beer imparts a silky body and a smooth finish.
Octoberfest: An authentic Marzenbier, this lager is full bodied with a red-copper color and nice malty palate.
Pumpkin Ale: Made with lots of fresh sugar pumpkins in the mash, and pumpkin puree in the fermenter. It is then dry hopped with spices. This ale is light bodied with a mild sweetness from the malt and pumpkins, with a dry finish.
Solstice D’ete: Our first ever Belgian! This light bodied, light colored ale has a crisp spiciness you want from a saison. Expect an earthy, funky smell reminiscent of a farmhouse ale.
Steamer: This American original is a hybrid lager, which is fermented at ale temperatures. Dry hopping, which is a third addition of hops, gives it a crisp, refreshing finish. Only brewed once a year for St. Patrick’s Day so enjoy it while it’s on tap!
For more information, visit www.NorthamptonBrewery.com






