Northampton Brewery, Northampton, MA

Our family's big Christmas gift this year was a 5-day, 4-night ski trip to Ski Butternut, in Great Barringon, Massachusetts for February vacation.  Naturally, when you think "ski trip" and "Western Mass" (or New England in general), you think "craft beer".  Well, at least I do.

During the first leg of the trip we decided to stop for lunch at the Northampton Brewery.  This establishment became the first brew pub I was conscious of when it opened while I was in college down the road at UMass, Amherst.  During the ensuing (cough) several years, the venue has added a huge roof deck, and redecorated.  It had an OK atmosphere back then, and they've made a big improvement.

Sandwiches and beer (just one - still plenty of driving to do) were just what was needed.  The brewery has a Cuban sandwich on their menu.  This somewhat rare offering is always a welcome one.  So my eldest and I went Cuban/Ruben, and shared.  Yummy!

Old Brown Dog Ale (left) and Blue Boots IPA

I had the Blue Boots IPA, and my better half had the Old Brown Dog Ale.  I think I liked mine better than she liked hers, but they are both quality brews.

We had debated a bit whether it was worth adding an hour to our trip West to go to the NBC (it's a half hour from the Mass Pike to Northampton, and a half hour back.)  In the end we were soooo glad we decided to invest some time in a sure bet for a nice meal and a really good beer at a friendly spot.

Barrington Brewery and Resturant, Great Barrington, MA

On the first night of our February ski vacation we went all the way across the street from our Great Barrington hotel to the Barrington Brewery and Resturant.  This brew pub is located in a mini strip mall made up of several barns and other farm-like buildings.  The have an upstairs loft with pool tables, where a sedate cat stands guard over the stockpile of brewer's grains.  The decor is very rustic and relaxed.  The atmosphere was a little noisy, but it was school vacation week, and the place was packed with kids.

I didn't start this beer blog to write negative reviews - it's not in me to criticize someone's livelihood and their labor of love.  Having said that, the beers at the BB (in GB) are not really for me.  They are a little weak and watery for me.

I thought the food and prices were quite good.  Others in my party thought it was average.  But food-wise, at least, I would go there again.