There are parts of the state that I frequent, MetroWest where I live, Cambridge where I work, the North Shore where my in-laws live, so when I actually get the chance to visit a brewery the places located in those areas tend to be more likely stops. To be fair, I do a crappy job even hitting up local places, my life is a special kind of crazy right now. Breweries located in parts of the state that are a longer trip tend to get overlooked, while I would love to brewery-hop in Western Mass or on the Cape I just don’t have the time right now. A good example of a brewery that has been open for a little while but I haven’t had a chance to visit is Shire Breu-Hous in Dalton, MA. Shire makes a wide variety of ales and lagers, their draft list reads very different than many small breweries that are all-in on the IPA craze and make little aside from hop-bombs. Fortunately for me, Shire Breu-Hous has started canning and distributing some of their beers. I recently grabbed some cans of From Around Here, Shire’s farmhouse ale. Shire Breu-Hous From Around Here is available on a rotating basis on draft and in 16 oz cans.
Shire Breu-Hous From Around Here pours slightly hazy gold with a massive white head. The aroma is all expressive saison yeast, fruity and funky. The flavors imparted by the yeast also come to the forefront, notes of peppercorn, clove, and barnyard. Some earthy and grassy hops along with a pale malt backbone round out the flavor. From Around Here is light and easy-drinking, not too boozy at 5.3% ABV. The finish is dry with a mild yeasty aftertaste. Overall this is a quality saison, plenty of flavor, refreshing and smooth. I look forward to sampling other options from Shire Breu-Hous in the near future. Hoppy Boston score: 4.25/5.
Hoppy Boston 
