Greenfield, MA

Hello again faithful followers, this post highlights two different beer havens from the small Western Massachusetts town of Greenfield.

Right off Main Street is The People's Pint, a quaint little brewpub recommended by our good friends Justin and Teri Housenger.  After an intense night of partying at my best friend's wedding, we weren't super-motivated to try more beer, but I pulled it together and ordered a sampler. (It's all for the blog.)

I enjoyed Farmer Brown, obviously a brown ale; Pied PIPA, an American IPA; the Double IPA; and the Oatmeal Stout on cask.  Nothing too crazy, but every style was well done and it was a great spot for lunch.

The next stop on the tour through Greenfield was Ryan & Casey Liquors, another outstanding recommendation from the Housengers. Definitely one of the better stores I've visited, and the local selection was incredible.  In addition to the crazy amounts of liquor and wine, packed beer freezers lined every wall plus Belgian and American bombers were kept at room temperature in the middle of the store.

While I could have spent an hour or more pondering the selection before me, Katie was recovering in the car so I had to be decisive.  This was my stash, mostly local but I had to splurge on some Port and Grand Teton as well (and please feel free to be jealous):

• Element Brewing Dark Element - Black IPA
• Element Brewing Vernal - Dunkel Wheat Wine
• Grand Teton Pursuit of Hoppiness - Imperial Red Ale
• Grand Teton Trout Hop - Black IPA
• Haverhill Brewery Triskelion - Barley Wine
• Middle Ages Brewing Dragonslayer - Russian Imperial Stout
• Paper City Brewing Fogbuster Coffee House Ale - American Porter
• Paper City Brewing Hop Monster - Double IPA
• Port Brewing Panzer - Imperial Pilsener
• Port Brewing Shark Attack - Imperial Red Ale
• Pretty Things December 6th, 1855 EIP (East India Porter) - English Porter
• Wachusett Larry - Double IPA

I must say, while this looks like a run-of-the-mill liquor store from the outside (flickering neon sign included), it's a top notch beer store on the inside and I easily could have spent our life's savings in there.  Luckily, I did not.  And the 10% off cases (boxes of 12 bombers) helped ease the burden!

If you're ever in Western Mass and want to find one of the best local beer selections, I recommend this place highly.