Fort Hill Brewery Beer: Boston's Best-Kept Secret

Fort Hill Brewery, located in Easthampton, Massachusetts, was established in 2013 by a small group of friends with a passion for brewing. The brewery has since expanded its offerings to the Greater Boston area, where its beers can be found in various liquor stores, pubs, and restaurants. With a focus on traditional German brewing techniques, Fort Hill Brewery crafts a range of quality lagers and IPAs, including the popular Fresh Pick IPA and Jigsaw Jazz Double IPA. In addition to selling its beers in Massachusetts, the brewery also has select markets in Europe.

Fort Hill Brewery's location

Fort Hill Brewery is located in Easthampton, Massachusetts, at 30 Fort Hill Road, off of East Street. The site was established in 2013 by a small group of friends who like to brew. The brewery is open on Thursdays from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Fridays from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Saturdays from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and Sundays from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Fort Hill Brewery is situated in a lovely building with a great patio and friendly staff. They often have music to go with the beer and sometimes have a food truck by the patio. The focus is on German-style beers, but the range is broad. The brewery usually has a food truck, but visitors are also welcome to bring their own food. The brewery also allows guests to bring their dogs, as long as they are on a non-retractable leash, and children, who must remain with their guardians at all times.

Fort Hill Brewery was founded by Eric, who previously worked at a brewery in Eastern Massachusetts and attended the Siebel Institute for brewing. After visiting over 60 different sites, Eric settled on a former dairy farm, a hay field in Easthampton at the base of Mount Tom, located on Fort Hill Road. The site had never been used for manufacturing, thus avoiding the risk of contamination that affected other potential locations. Another key reason for choosing Easthampton was the quality of the water, which is one of only four main ingredients in Fort Hill Brewery's beers. Easthampton's water comes from the Barnes Aquifer system, a complex of productive aquifers extending about twelve miles underground. In 2015, the town won the gold medal for best-tasting water in the 16th annual Great American Water Taste Test.

Fort Hill Brewery's beer can be purchased at various locations in Massachusetts, including Cheers Discount Liquors, McCarthy’s Liquors, Atkins Farm Country Market, and Russell's Liquor Store.

Massachusetts locations selling Fort Hill beer

Fort Hill Brewery, located in Easthampton, Massachusetts, offers a range of quality lagers and IPAs crafted with traditional German brewing techniques. The brewery has a broad portfolio, including IPAs, lagers, and seltzers, with popular offerings such as Fresh Pick, Jigsaw Jazz, and Hera Pils. Fort Hill Brewery sells its products primarily in Western Massachusetts, the Greater Boston area, and select markets in Europe.

If you're looking to purchase Fort Hill beer in Massachusetts, here are some locations to try:

• Cheers Discount Liquors
• McCarthy’s Liquors
• Atkins Farm Country Market
• Cushman Market & Cafe
• Russell's Liquor Store
• Andover Classic Wines
• Giles Wine & Spirits
• Colony Liquors & Wine Shoppe
• Auburndale Discount Wine & Spirits
• Cold Spring Discount Liquors
• Highland Wine & Spirits
• Seaside Wine & Spirits
• The Wild Duck Wine & Spirits
• Jamie’s Fine Wine & Spirits
• Cold River Package Store
• Sullivan’s Public House
• Ted’s Package Store
• Aldenville Liquor Store
• Charlie’s Package Store
• Country Trading Post
• Jenrose Wines & Liquors
• Scrappy’s Liquor Locker
• White Eagle Wines & Liquors
• West Concord Wine & Spirits
• Kelly's Package Store
• Anthony’s Wine & Spirits
• Deerfield Convenience Store
• Heritage Plaza Liquors
• Ferry Street Package Store
• Old Colony Package Store
• Feeding Hills Variety
• Phipps Discount Liquors
• Doyle’s Package Store
• Nobscot Wine & Spirits
• Ryan & Casey Liquors
• Barstow’s Dairy Store & Bakery
• Four Seasons Wine & Liquor
• North Hadley Sugar Shack
• Myette’s Country Store
• Hatfield Polish Club
• Sisters’ Convenience Store
• Beaver Brook Golf Course
• Fruit Center Marketplace
• McKinlay’s Liquors
• Crazy Andy's Liquors
• Donovan’s Irish Pub
• Holyoke Country Club
• Holyoke Discount Liquors
• Ivory Billiards Lounge
• Wyckoff Country Club
• Marty’s Fine Wines
• Bacon's Wine & Spirits
• Marcorelle’s Fine Wine & Beer
• Forest Hills Fine Wine
• Leverett Village Co-op
• Berman’s Fine Wine & Spirits
• Longmeadow Package Store
• Rexhame General Store
• Howe’s Station Market
• Adam’s Hometown Market
• Montague Village Store
• Reveler Beverage Company
• Upper Falls Discount Liquors
• Boulevard Wine & Liquors
• Chris Gasbarro’s Fine Wine & Spirits
• Pop’s Fine Wine & Liquors
• Millennium Package Store
• Mocks Convenience Store
• Northampton Liquors & Wine
• Pop’s Package Store
• State Street Fruit Store
• Ye Ol’ Watering Hole
• Hometown Wine & Liquors
• Palmer Package Store
• Richard’s Wine & Spirits
• Copeland Package Store
• National Wine & Liquors
• Wollaston Wine & Spirits
• Randolph Marketplace
• Russell Package Store & Deli
• Kristo’s Beer & Wine
• Nasty Nonni’s Wine & Spirits
• Sherborn Wine & Spirit
• Ball Square Fine Wines
• Winter Hill Liquor Mart
• Smitty’s Package Store
• Southampton Beer & Wine
• Southampton Country Club
• Millie’s Country Store
• Sunny’s Convenience
• Christopher’s Sports Tavern
• John Boyle O’Reilly Club
• Springfield Liquor Mart
• Sudbury Wine & Spirits
• Sunderland Corner Store
• Burrill Street Liquors
• Ramadon’s Package Store
• Connecticut River Liquors
• Greenwood Wine & Spirits
• It’s Wine O’Clock
• Bertelli’s Liquor Mart
• Irish Cultural Center
• Lattitude Restaurant
• Four Mile Country Store
• Hampton Ponds Market
• Ryan’s Package Store
• Slovak Citizen’s Club
• Super Phipps Liquors
• Westfield Spirit Shop
• Westford Wine & Spirits
• One Stop Discount Liquors
• Taproom Bar and Grill
• Main Street Package Store
• East Woburn Package Store
• Wampum Corner Wine & Liquors

Fort Hill's brewing techniques

Fort Hill Brewery was established in 2014 in Easthampton, Massachusetts, by a small group of friends who liked to brew. The brewery focuses on combining German brewing traditions with American innovation to create high-quality ales and lagers.

The brewery's location was carefully selected by its founder, Eric, who prioritised finding a site that would not compromise the quality of his brews. After considering over 60 sites, he chose a former dairy farm in Easthampton, located on a hay field at the base of Mount Tom. This site had never been used for manufacturing, ensuring a clean and contamination-free environment for brewing.

Fort Hill Brewery's brewing techniques are influenced by traditional German methods. They adhere to the German purity law, which allows only four main ingredients in their beer, including water. The brewery sources its water from the Barnes Aquifer system, which is known for its high quality. In 2015, Easthampton won the gold medal for best-tasting water in the Great American Water Taste Test.

Fort Hill Brewery's beer selection includes a range of IPAs, lagers, stouts, ales, and more. They have popular offerings such as Fresh Pick, an IPA made with Citra and Mosaic hops, and Hera Pils, a Czech Pilsner. Their brewing techniques vary depending on the style of beer they are crafting. For example, their Imperial Stout is made using a polygyle technique, where the wort is infused with additional malt to increase the sugar and alcohol content. Their New England IPA is made with Simcoe, Citra, and Mosaic hops, resulting in a drinkable and refreshing beer.

In addition to their focus on brewing techniques, Fort Hill Brewery also prioritises the customer experience. They offer tastings, tours, and growlers, as well as a tasting room and an outdoor patio that are open on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The brewery usually hosts a food truck, but customers are also welcome to bring their own food and drinks. Fort Hill Brewery is committed to providing a welcoming environment and allows children and dogs on their premises.

Fort Hill's range of beers

Fort Hill Brewery was established in 2013 in Easthampton, Massachusetts, by a small group of friends with the goal of providing the Pioneer Valley region with the best traditional German-style lager beer. The brewery's focus on quality and traditional German brewing techniques has resulted in a range of beers that offer a clean, refreshing taste.

The water used in Fort Hill Brewery's beers is of exceptional quality, sourced from the Barnes Aquifer system in Easthampton, which was awarded the gold medal for best-tasting water in 2015. This commitment to using the finest ingredients is evident in their diverse selection of beers, which include IPAs, lagers, and seltzers.

One of their most popular offerings is the "Fresh Pick," an IPA made with Citra and Mosaic hops using a proprietary process that has won multiple awards. The "Jigsaw Jazz" is another standout, a smooth double IPA with 9.3% alcohol and a dry flavor. For those who prefer lagers, the "Hera Pils" is a Czech Pilsner with Czech Saaz hops that has led to contract brewing opportunities with larger breweries.

In addition to their flagship beers, Fort Hill Brewery also offers a range of other unique and flavorful options. The "Imperial Stout" is a bold and drinkable stout brewed using a polygyle technique and aged on oak. The "Milk Stout" is a rich, dark stout with notes of roasted coffee and chocolate. The "New England IPA" packs a punch of tropical hop goodness, while the "Triple IPA" takes it up a notch with increased booziness.

Fort Hill Brewery's range of beers caters to a variety of tastes and preferences, from light and refreshing lagers to bold and flavorful IPAs. Their commitment to quality and traditional brewing techniques has earned them a dedicated following in Massachusetts and beyond.

Fort Hill's history

Fort Hill Brewery was founded by Eric Berzins in 2012 in Easthampton, Massachusetts. Eric's decision to set up the brewery in Easthampton was influenced by several factors. Firstly, the area's water quality, which is sourced from the Barnes Aquifer system, is exceptional—in 2015, it won the gold medal for best tasting water in the 16th annual Great American Water Taste Test. Secondly, Eric was fond of the town, citing its friendly community and nice environment as key reasons for his choice.

Prior to establishing Fort Hill Brewery, Eric had worked for a brewery in Eastern Massachusetts and attended the Siebel Institute for brewing. In 2010, he began his search for a suitable location for his new brewery, visiting over 60 sites. However, most sites had contamination risks due to their history as manufacturing locations. Eric refused to compromise on the quality of his future brews and eventually found an ideal spot in Easthampton: a hay field at the base of Mount Tom on Fort Hill Road. This former dairy farm had never been used for manufacturing, ensuring a clean and safe environment for brewing.

Construction of the Fort Hill Brewery began in November 2012, and it officially opened its doors to the public in 2014, offering tastings, tours, and growlers. The first beer released was an Oktoberfest brew. Since then, Fort Hill Brewery has expanded its offerings to include a range of IPAs, lagers, and selzters, with a focus on traditional German brewing techniques. The brewery has also grown its operations to the Greater Boston area and select markets in Europe.

Frequently asked questions