Tomorrow afternoon, we will be trying out brews from the Berkshire Brewing Company. There are a few things you need to know about this company, particularly if you are not a Massachusetts native. Upon my Air Force Brat pronunciation of Berkshire as “Berkshire” with a long “i” sound, Carrie, who is from Western Massachusetts, rolled her eyes and informed me that the correct pronunciation is “Berkshur,” letting the last syllable drop off precipitously. So if you want to sound like you know what you are talking about, do not make the same mistake I did.

The next thing to know is that the two founders of Berkshire Brewing Company, Chris Lalli and Gary Bogoff, like me, are not natives of Massachusetts. They hail from Montgomery, Alabama, but the town of South Deerfield, Massachusetts welcomed them as a tourist attraction to stand next to the famous Yankee Candle Company. By the mid-1990s, the partners had transformed an old cigar factory into a modern brewery, and their success has allowed for multiple expansions over the years.

The last important factoid is that the Berkshire Brewing Company produces 9 year-round flavors of ales as well as 6 seasonal ales. Chris and Gary strive to brew beer with the same ethics and craftsmanship as an artisan. On tap this week, we feature the Lost Sailor IPA and the Coffeehouse Porter. The Lost Sailor IPA offers a well-rounded malt profile, which balances the generous dry-hopping with the Goldings hop variety. The Coffeehouse Porter is a rich, dark ale, incorporating Dean’s Beans from Salem MA into the mix. Come on in and have a taste!