Yankee Brew News Archive

Bay State Brewpub Boom Continues

Originally Published: 07/95

By: Kerry J. Byrne

The grist mill in southern New England keeps churning out news of new beers and breweries. But I must admit I had hoped to use this space to discuss the embattled band 23 Skidoo and their recent name change to Zen Lunatic following a lengthy court battle with big record execs that led to the incarceration of several members of the band.

Band members could not be reached for comment, as they had already used up all their visiting hours catering to mournful groupies. In lieu of information on the band, I have opted to provide the following information on

southern New England beer.

Massachusetts

Brew Moon has secured a location on Route 1 in Saugus for the second of their 10 planned brewpubs. Hopefully, the kinks that slowed Brew Moon's original Boston location will not be found anew. Upon my most recent trips to Brew Moon, the quality of the beer has improved considerably over what it was when they first opened. The beers now approach the lofty billing they are given on the menu. Their India Pale Ale has gone over very well, and brewer Tony Vieira delivered with a solid Wheat for the summer. I still believe they are trying to cater to the beer neophyte (not that there is any reason they shouldn't), but they are now doing so with a vastly superior product. I would like to see them with one off-the-wall beer. I don't care what it is, but I already have it named: The Bill Lee, after the former Red Sox pitcher known as the Spaceman. There you have it all in one: it will sum up the brew, add a local spin, and fit in with the lunar motif.

Danvers is scheduled in August to join the growing list of Massachusetts towns that boast a brewpub. The Brewhouse will have a seven-barrel Pugsley brewing system that will make Buddy's Blonde Ale, Pugsley Pilsner, General Putnam's Pale Ale, Extra Special Bitter, Breed's Hill Brown, Pope's Porter and Misery Island Stout. The owners are Chris Shea and Dennis Sherman. Chef John Merrill was culled from the ranks of the Boston Harbor Hotel. The Brewhouse will be located on 65 Newbury Street (junction of Route 114 and Route 1 North). Call (508) 777-6666.

Watch City Brewing Company is under construction on Moody Street in Waltham. They are scheduled to open later this summer.

Thanks to AllGrainer on AOL for the following item. The Berkshire Beer Works, in Great Barrington, became a fully operational brewpub in early June. It is now open seven days a week and offers an Amber Ale, Hopland Pale Ale, Barrington Brown Ale and Black Bear Stout. They are brewing on a seven-barrel system from Stainless Steel Specialties of Quebec. The brewpub is set in an old barn that has been refurbished within a shopping/tourist area called Jennifer Commons. They are located at 420 Stockbridge Road, along Route 7. For more info call (413) 528-8282.

New England is being invaded by barbaric heathens from the hinterlands, courtesy of one Mark Tye and his 'Best of the West' beers campaign. Tye has put together a package that includes beers from one Oregon brewery and several Colorado breweries. You may have already seen some of the beers on your local store's shelves, including Red Ass Ale, Railyard Ale and Saxer Lemon Lager. He is bringing a total of 10 beers which have not yet been available in the local market.

Atlantic Coast Brewing Company introduced its second seasonal, an India Pale Ale, in June at their one-year anniversary party. The party was kicked off with the traditional English practice of blessing the brewery, thanks to Father Ron Coyne of St. Catherine's parish in Charlestown. The Tremont Boys, Chris Lohring and Alex Reveliotty, had hoped to make a single varietal (Fuggles) IPA, but instead opted for a blend of hops. The IPA is another successful venture into authentic English-style brewing by Atlantic Coast. Earthy, almost grassy hop aromas with a beefy body to support it. Be careful with how much you drink; with an original gravity of 1063 and over 6 percent alcohol it's not exactly a slug-em-in-the-sun summer brew.

Also out with their first India Pale Ale is Wachusett Brewing Co. in Westminster. The grunge brewers have developed a fine IPA that I had for the first time at a festival at Lowell Brewing Company in June. It was served very cold when I had it, but as it warmed pleasant aromas and flavors made it a brew worth seeking. It will be available through September and possibly October.

After I ranted and raved in the last issue about the lack of a brewpub on Boston's South Shore, it seems one is in the works. Ed and Patty Kane, the owners of Stars on Hingham Harbor and Tosca, also in Hingham, are preparing to open a pub at a place on Nantasket Beach in Hull formerly known as (depending upon your age) Vogue and The Surf.

At their street festival in June, Lowell Brewing Company introduced a new brew, Vienna Lager. I did not take notes, but remember it as being a hearty, well-hopped Bavarian Lager that blows away, in my mind, their Mill City Lager. Also new at Lowell's Brewery Exchange are a Blonde Ale and a Bohemian-style Tap Room in which to enjoy all their beers. The Tap Room is just the place to write, thumb through one of the many books on hand, or sip cappuccino and espresso. It also features a wonderful mural painted by local artist Mary Ellen Paquette.

The new beer from Joe and Pam Rolfe at Ould Newbury Brewing Company is Plum Island Extra Pale Ale, which came out in late May. The beer was made in an effort to attract new beer drinkers who might not yet be ready for their deliciously bold Yankee Ale or astringent and full-bodied Rye Ale. Ould Newbury's products have been available in the increasingly popular 'growler' bottles since February.

By the time you read this, the Boston Beer Company's Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat should be on the shelves. The summer seasonal is an unfiltered wheat beer with a small dose of honey and the signature noble hops of Sam Adams beers. It will be available through October.

The Worcester County Horticultural Society will soon be holding classes on homebrewing. The instructor will be Chip Jarry, and they will probably have four evening classes from 6:30-8 p.m. They have not yet refined the course description, but we will pass along details as they become available. The WCHS is located at the new 132-acre Botanic Garden in Boylston. For information call Dana Samfield at (508) 869-6111 Ext. 21.

Blair Potts has been brewing twice a week at the Cape Cod Brewhouse as the Hyannis brewpub has finally begun to brew its own beer on premise. Look for a review in an upcoming issue.

Rhode Island

Middletown's Coddington Brewing Company, on the Newport line, opened in mid June, just in time for tourist season. I have not yet been there, but one of my associates described the building and decor as "absolutely beautiful." The brewer is Forrest Williams, who spent time studying under Kurt Musselman at Trinity Brewhouse and is a long-time homebrewer. He has also done brews for Edme for trade show demonstrations. The beers were ready before the restaurant opened, which is, perhaps, the way things should be done in the brewpub industry. Coddington will begin with a Golden Ale, Pale Ale, Nut Brown Ale and Porter--each using domestic hops and an American yeast strain developed at URI. "We plan on working in a big rotation of beers," said Williams. Coddington is located on 210 Coddington Highway. Call (401) 847-6690.

Ray McConnell of Emerald Isle Brew Works, the only New England brewery to exclusively make cask-conditioned beers, told me he has recently been invited to take part in the Great British Beer Festival in August and that his products drew strong reviews from beer sage Michael Jackson. A dentist by day, McConnell in the past has expressed concerns over his ability to keep his small but expanding brewery in operation because of time constraints. But, "I have made the commitment and am in it for the long haul," was his most recent assessment. I'm glad to hear it. Because of McConnell, Rhode Island is now a great place to go for the growing legions of beer lovers who thrive on cask-conditioned ales. Call Emerald Isle at (401) 828-2537 to find out where their beers are available.

In the New Faces Department, Hope Brewing in Providence has changed brewers. Norm Allaire is gone, and in his place is Mike MacDonald. Apparently, Allaire caved in and will put his master's degree in biochemistry to use in the real world.

Connecticut

I've heard that Blair Potts has run into snags opening a new brewpub in New Haven. See Gregg Glaser's story elsewhere in this issue for details on this and other Connecticut craft brew happenings.

Elm City recently came out with a draft-only black & tan. Connecticut beer sage Glaser will give a review when he final hunts one down and kills it.