The 'beer tree' at the Boynton, Worcester, Mass.
I didn’t start to enjoy beer until this past Memorial Day, about six weeks before my 28th birthday. It was actually a memorable occasion.
We were having dinner at Opa-Opa Steakhouse and Brewery in Southampton, Mass. and my friends immediately headed for their fruity beers – blueberry, watermelon, raspberry. On a whim, someone passed me a glass of the blueberry beer and – I liked it. And downed two more by the time our meal was done. It took a few days for my friends’ jaws to come up from the floor. Watershed moment.
You see, I’d spent the better part of 10 years avoiding brews. If beer was the only beverage available at a college party, I’d drink soda or water. I’d often play beer pong with Smirnoff Ice or something equally oversugared and carbonated. Friends knew not to ask me to join them for a brewery visit or beer festival. Anytime Rob, a huge beer connoisseur, would slide his glass to my side of the table, I’d taste it, grimace and say “Tastes like beer.”
After my revelation, I spent the summer drinking beer (Thomas Hooker’s watermelon ale is freaking incredible, tastes like Jolly Ranchers) and all of a sudden I felt like I’d been welcomed into this amazing club. Never again would I immediately shun the draft beer choices in favor of the wine list or the frou-frou $9 martini menu. Made me wonder why I didn’t get over my phobia sooner.
On Friday, I met an old high school friend at The Boynton, my aforementioned favorite Central Massachusetts pub. We had every intention to delve into a Boynton Bucket, but after she felt faint and sick during our 45-minute wait, she decided wisely to skip the booze. No worries. It was a perfect opportunity for me to try the Boynton’s beer sampler, or as I like to call it, the ‘beer tree.’ I got to pick four 4-oz. samples of their draft beer, for a grand total of $5.99.
They were out of quite a few drafts, so I winged my choices: I went with Stella Artois, Woodchuck Cider and then two local brews: Wachusett Brewing Company’s blueberry ale and their Hometown Haze Belgian white. The Stella was nice and crisp, but the cider was a bit too sweet when up against its malty counterparts.
The Wachusetts were fantastic. My Assumption College friends seemed to love the Wachusett blueberry beer just as much as the Buckets, and now I understand why. With real berries floating in the glass and rich blueberry flavor permeating the top foam, it’s like drinking a muffin. After I finished the tree, I ordered a 16-oz. draft.
Other beers I’ve been loving lately: Abita Purple Haze (raspberry-flavored) and Shipyard Pumpkinhead (a delicious seasonal ale that tends to disappear right around Halloween.)
A few weeks ago, my beer-loving friends and I hit on an absolute jackpot at Four Seasons, a small liquor store in Hadley, Mass. just a few miles from University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Not only do they carry an amazing selection of hard-to-find microbrews, they encourage customers to mix-and-match their own six-packs. Granted, you pay more since they then charge by the bottle, but it’s a fantastic way to try out a bunch of beers without buying a whole sixer of one brew. We picked up several pumpkin/harvest-themed microbrews.
Your turn: What are your favorite beers? Do you have a favorite microbrew/seasonal brew?
Leeanne Griffin is a freelance writer and food enthusiast.
The Boynton beer tree is truly a great value; however the managers at the Boynton are not fools. After finishing off a full tree it is almost impossible not order a few more 16oz beers.
I can never go wrong with a traditional Sam Adams Lager, best served in a chilled frosty glass (the thicker the better) and after a long day at work. Other than that, I sometimes enjoy a Berkshire Brewing Company (BBC) beer. I would drink BBC’s more often if they were sold in six packs…oh well.
Shipyard pumpkin on tap at the Langevins!
Ah I miss Wachusett Blueberry…My staple @ the Boynton! Rob’s comment also reminded me of how much I miss BBC Steel Rail!! Nick introduced me to that and I would get it whenever and wherever I could!
Although I am missing some of my faves down here in FL, I do have the pleasure of having access to one of my new favorite beers, Yuengling. Its always crisp and refreshing! Bring Yuengling to New England, I say!
Might I suggest a Belgian Trippel by Sierra Nevada: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/140/52142
It’s kinda sweet (probably because of the bubble gum, vanilla and brown sugar flavors), really smooth, and you would have no idea the alcohol was almost 8%.
I’ve only seen this at Wood n Tap, never in stores, but if you find this anywhere else, you need to tell the public because it’s simply awesome.
FYI that link to beeradvocate.com is a fantastic resource.
Now, my wee Irish friend, will ye let me buy you Smithwick’s then?
Jeanne, you saw me take down a Guinness the other night. Bring on the Smithwick’s.
Grillo: Bubble gum? For reals?
Um…did I stutter? Of course for reals.
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The Shipyard Pumpkin and Wachusett Blueberry are personal favorites of mine too, and inexorably better when found on tap. I can double check for you, but I swear my buddy Corey at Table and Vine said you can buy single beers there as well. Sierra Grill has a great beer menu, and is a favorite hangout of George Lenkler, aka the Beernut from Masslive. We’ve seen him there on more than one occasion, and I always ask the bartender for whatever he’s drinking. They’ve hosted beer dinners there in the past, so we’ll have to keep an eye out for the next one. It would make for a fun blog topic, and I could celebrate the fact that I used ‘inexorably’ in a sentence for the first time in my life. Double win!
I’m finally an internet celebrity
Next time – bucket at the boynton – and maybe you’ll convert me to a beer-drinker yet!
Abita beer is a staple in my house. Purple Haze and Turbodog are almost always on hand.
Ben: If Table & Vine allows customers to mix and match their own six packs, then my life is complete.
[...] written about the Boynton before, here and here, and that’s because I just love it. Good comfortable atmosphere, tasty pub food (we [...]
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