WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

Steep in the northerly Berkshire Mountains along railway in updated industrial town, Pittsfield, elegant tan-hued PITTSFIELD BREW WORKS was tracked down December ’07. Formerly a train station then warehouse, a round sign with black sheep insignia welcomes patrons. Though its yellow cross-sectioned interior with maroon pews and furnishings seemed exquisitely upscale, reasonable bar prices and reliable appetizers, snacks, and sandwiches attracted families and businessmen alike.

Entering to glass-encased brew tanks and right dining section, its left bar area (with central TV) divided midsection brick wall, providing additional dining space and small hearth. Intriguingly, rear Bier Hall offered large banquet facility, secondary bar, billiard tables, and darts.

Christine Bump, brewer since 2005, crafted woody Saaz-hopped mild-spiced yellow-fruited Czech-styled Prost Pilsner, honeyed biscuit-fronted lemony quince-sidled Kolsch-styled Dohoney’s Gold, dry Simcoe-hopped black tea-surged grapefruit rind-embittered W.A.S. Pale Ale, and dryer Cascade-Chinook-hopped tangy apricot-tangerine-splashed honey-malted Legacy IPA. Bitter green tea, charred nuts, and dry hops enveloped alcohol-burnt Extra Special Bitter while its cask-conditioned version found fig and date overtaking nearly all bittering. Burnt beechwood chips benumbed fig-date midst and nutmeat splurge for black-spiced Rauchbier.

www.pittsfieldbrewworks.com

If you like this, try:

1. BOSTON BEER WORKS (FENWAY)
2. BETHLEHEM BREW WORKS
3. THE CHURCH BREW WORKS
4. STEWART’S BREW COMPANY
5. UNION BARREL WORKS
6. BACK ROAD BREWERY / DUNELAND BREWHOUSE
7. NATTY GREENE’S PUB & BREW. CO.
8. BLACK FOREST BREW HAUS
9. FRANKLIN’S RESTAURANT & BREWERY
10. JOHN HARVARD’S BREW HOUSE – LAKE GROVE