WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
Steep in the northerly Berkshire Mountains along railway in updated industrial town, elegant tan-hued PITTSFIELD BREW WORKS was tracked down December ’07 (then closed 2010). 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, lemony biscuit-honeyed 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.