Northampton Brewpub

Ahhhhhh Northampton, MA. That kind of quaint little town you could spend all day just walking around and taking it all in. Little shops and cafes are as far from commercial franchises that you can be, and a brewery which is not only friendly to the environment, but friendly to your beer pallate. Northampton Brewery is linked via family to Smuttynose Brewery. Owner Janet is the sister of the Smuttynose owner, who helped her open the Brewpub almost 22 years ago. The building was originally a carriage house, but recently underwent a massive 10 day renovation putting earth friendly plaster on the walls and also included a smart comfort control system in place to run the air/heat only as needed depending on the amount of people in the building and the conditions inside and out. Another AMAZING thing they do, and quite frankly I don't know why other places don't, is recycle. Out back you will find many, many large trash containers divided into waste and recycle, not to mention one lone container they put all their used hops into for compost. As far as their used grain, it is sent to local farms to feed moo cows (lol). So, after hearing about trash from manager Chris, he led us to the brewing area to meet the brewer, Donald. Donald was in the mists of making a German rye beer. While he worked he took a few minutes to enlighten Lauren and I about his beer making abilities before he loaded the grain into the auger. As a little side note, both Chris and Donald are hopheads (w00t). Donald told us about the main brew kettles. They are used and as old as the brewery, which in fact were originally brought out from Washington state. This is mainly because back in the 1980's the small scale brewing world was not what it is today, so equipment was hard to come by. Going up the sides of one of the boilers were various recipes used and developed over the years by the various head brewers who have stood in Donald's galashes. While Donald discussed beer, he let us taste the Nanatuck IPA directly from the fermented cooled the day before and due for a dry hop before being served to the public. Let me assure you though even in this unfinished stage, it tasted awesome with a clean bite and smooth finish. We let Donald get back to work and followed Chris up to the outside deck. This was quite a spot. On such a beautiful day, if we didn't have plans immediately afterwards, I think Lauren and I would have parked it up there and tied one off. There is a bar upstairs with all the current beers on tap along with various types of good liquors in the well stocked bars. Next, we headed inside and admired the custom artwork painted locally for the brewery. The tables were topped in copper and fit beautifully in the eclectic atmosphere. Finally it was time to head downstairs again to taste the wares. Chris had some manager duties to fulfill, so he left us in the very capable hands of Jaime, their tenured bartender. We were cutting it close on time, so we couldn't sample every beer, but we did get to try 3. Lauren tried their Graduation Ale, which was a lighter-bodied beer a fruity aroma and taste and a clean finish (as described by Lauren). I'm not one for really fruity beers, but I found this one very pleasant as it wasn't overwhelming. This is a one-time-a-year beer that is made with 60 lbs of strawberries and raspberries. I started off with the Hoppily-Ever After. This is a project by Donald in which he Divided the batch into 3 before dry-hopping and then proceeded to dry-hop with a different type in each. The one they had tapped when we were there was made with Cascade hops and had a nice bite and was balanced all the way through with a medium body. We were able to try one more beer before we hit the road and that was at the recommendation of Jaime. It was called the Alpha project and it's an experiment by Donald in which he used one type of Hop throughout the entire brewing process (this particular batch was made with only Horizon hops). It was a medium to full bodied amber beer that started off malty like it wanted to be a lager and then finished with a bite like an IPA, yet kept an even keel all the way through. It was the Alpha project that we took with us in a Growler. I should mention that we didn't get a chance to try the food because of time constraints, but I'm told its is California influenced but really is a bit of everything. We will be sure to try the food next time we are up in the area. We would like to thank Chris, Donald, and Jaime for taking time to hang with us and hope all of you will go see them at Northampton Brewpub. It will not be a wasted trip, I assure you. *clink*

Amherst Brewing Company

After driving for what seemed like an eternity, we finally arrived in Amherst, MA, and more specifically, ABC. It is a multi-level establishment with a bar on the top floor and a restaurant and a smaller bar on the lower level. We we starving so we didn't even bother going to the second floor, but the­­ locals tell me its a good time. Upon entering you are greeted by wonderful hostesses and seated in a timely fashion. Its worth mentioning that when you enter look to your left. They have growlers and pints to go, as well as condiments (some made with their beer) that are made on site. They also have a mug club, but don't expect to get in as there is quite a long waiting list.
Our server was courteous, but she could have been a little more knowledgeable on the food/menu end, on the beer end she was excellent. We had a sizable group so we got to sample many different things. I started out drinking Seeing Double IPA. It was indeed a double IPA that had a medium amber color with just a hint of cloudiness and light lacing down the glass. Had a great hop aroma and tasted of grapefruit and the slightest hint of banana. I also had the ESB that was a medium-full body amber that started off malty and had an easy hoppy finish. Lauren started out with the Brown ale that had a full body with hints of caramel that went down smooth, but it did drop off a little in the finish. She also ordered a Belgian trippel that we both enjoyed. It was a medium body, pale orange brew that smelled and tasted of bananas and berries. We actually took a bottle with us and I'm enjoying some of it as I write this. Also being drank at the table were the smoked porter and super stout, which we didn't partake in, but i can tell you were ordered multiple times by the parties involved.
Now for the food. For appetizers the table ordered buffalo wings, mozzarella cheese bread sticks, and beer-battered pickle spears. The wings were plump, and meaty, served with a side of blue cheese, celery, and carrots. The mozzarella bread sticks were small, but tasty and served with a chunky marinara sauce. The pickles were ordered by our end of the table and were very enjoyable. They had a thick, crunchy beer batter and unlike most places I've been to that serve fried pickles as small slices, ABC served them as spears (The only other place I've enjoyed them like that was in the south). Then came our dinners. I ordered the Victoria burger that was topped with white cheddar and a spicy, sweet apple chutney on a toasted sesame seed bun I ordered it medium-rare and it was cooked perfectly. It came with my choice of a side of fries and a pickle spear. Lauren ordered a cheddar cheese burger, cooked medium with a side of fries and a pickle. It was to her liking but seing that it WAS just a cheddar cheese burger, I don't really think we can get into all the suttle nuances of tastes.
After all the beer and food there was no room for dessert, but i will sure to save room next time because the deep-fried oreo sunday and warm apple crisp sure had my mouth watering, even though my belly was full!! I will definitely recommend that if you ­­­are ANYWHERE in the area of Amherst, MA you should make a trip to the ABC. *clink*

Papercity Brewery

Last night Shawn and I traveled to a dive bar around UMass-Amherst to meet up with my sister's friends. After being carded and having to show so many forms of ID we sat down at the bar to order our drinks. Our plan this weekend was to visit Paper City Brewery since they are close to the college, so when I saw 2 of their beers on tap I decided to enjoy the experience. That visit won't be happening after the taste test. I ordered their lager while Shawn ordered their IPA. After the first sip I knew I made a mistake. The beer did taste like a lager, however it had an odd drawn out flavor and lacked a clean finish and, quite frankly, left me disappointed. I passed it around because everyone had to try it now. We all agreed, the Paper City Brewery Lager was a letdown. So much so, I ordered another beer. I NEVER do that. I couldn't even stomach one pint. Shawn ordered the IPA and I'm gonna pass him the netbook and let him tell you about it.....
I was able to stomach an entire pint, and if no other DECENT choices were available i would have stuck with it. It was lacking most of the bite us hopheads cherish. It did have a clean finish, but the whole experience seemed watered down. For someone who is not a devout hophead like myself but wants an IPA, than this is the one for you to try. Come out with me though, I'm sure i can find you something better that you will enjoy. *clink*

The birthday and layout

With all the work I've put in on this in the last day I forgot to post HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAUREN!!!!!

Also this is the layout we are sticking with, now that I've made up an acceptable logo, let us know what you guys think.

Everyone has to have a home......

......and we are no exception. Now this is a blog about breweries and brewpubs, but I just can't resist telling you about our favorite hometown bar.
The Hulmeville Inn is located in, yep, you guessed it. Hulmeville, Pa. Outside It still carries the charm that a 200 year old stage coach stop tends to carry (its been as we know it since 1994, for more history, beer lists, and events/happenings check out their website www.hulmevilleinn.com). Inside it is a beer-lovers dream and a pub-playground. BRING YOUR ID, BECAUSE YOU WILL BE CARDED (trust me I live a 10 min walk away and still get carded every time).
In the main bar room you will find multiple TVs for your sports watching experiences (GO PHILLIES!!!!!) and along the front wall 2 boards. One lists the countless bottled beers they have and the other shows the ever changing list of 18 different draft beers that they carry. If you can't decide what to drink or would like to try something new they offer a 4 beer sampler for your drinking pleasure (For a more in depth description of some of the beers they carry check out my buddy Kevin's site www.thebigbeerguy.com).
Food is traditional bar food, but works great at conquering the beer munchies (try the brisket sandwich with an order of green bean fries, its excellent).
Around the bar you will find a few touchscreen game machines if you find that the conversation just isn't flowing. If that doesn't do it for you they have poker and bowling arcade games in the back along with 2 pool tables and a real honest-to-goodness dartboard (that's generally where you can find me). All in all its a great bar and if your ever in the area stop in and have a brew and a bite. *clink*

Brooklyn Brewery

I really want to get this started, but being that I'm at work i can't exactly go visit a brewery right now. Besides, if i did, I'm sure the owners might have something to say about me trespassing. So I'm going to tell you about a brewery Lauren and I have been to multiple times and almost up and moved because of. The pic to the left was taken at the BROOKLYN BREWERY this past holiday season.
Where to begin? From the outside the brewery kind of blends into the landscape of construction and empty street. The only real markings that identify it are the small signs hanging on the front of the building with the Brooklyn logo on them. so go ahead and mosey on up and walk in the door.
After being carded you walk in and hang a left. The shop is on the left on the way to the tap room. YOU WANT TO STOP THERE!!! Trust me, your impending drinking depends on it. In order to partake in their excellent beers you must pay in wooden tokens. 1 token is $4 and 6 tokens is $20 (as of Dec 08). They have a Happy Hour every Friday from 6p-11p And tours are every Sat and Sun on the hour from 12p-6p. Grab some tokens and head back to the taproom.
Generally you will hear some good music playing and the guys pouring are very friendly (who wouldn't be, your working in a brewery!!). You will find 8 different beers on tap, along with their local 1 & 2 in bombers (3 tokens and you get to keep the glass they serve it to you in).
Now that you have your favorite brew, (I'm a huge fan of their BLAST double IPA but if its not available, the East India Pale Ale is excellent if your a hophead. Lauren is a big fan of the Brown Ale.) take a seat on one of the many picnic tables scattered throughout the brewery. If your hungry there are usually menus for local takeout places in the area that will deliver right to the brewery for you. Its an easy and CHEAP way to start your night out in the big apple. *clink*

(My apologies for not describing the beers in detail as its been since Dec 08 since we have partaken. We hope to get back to the brewery in the coming months, so stay tuned for an update.)

And away we go.......

Well Hello everyone. Shawn here. I just finished setting all this up. Lauren and I have decided that since we love visiting various breweries, brewpubs, and bars that we would enlighten you with our experiences and maybe entice you to visit the places we talk about. If anyone has any places that they can recommend, shoot us an email at justtheBREWofus@gmail.com. We are headed up to Amherst, Ma this weekend and have plans to visit 3 breweries/brewpubs to visit. *clink*