It being football
season and all, I tend to drink a bit more beer than usual. Don't be
alarmed, because as much as I love the stuff, my drinking habits these days
are rather moderate. But when I am rooting for my beloved New England
Patriots, I like to drink New England beer. It's just a little taste of home
that I really enjoy every fall.
People often think of dishes they grew up with as "comfort food", and I
suppose one could make a case for "comfort beer" as well. In either example,
these are tastes that bring us back to a pleasant place or time we remember
with reverence. Such is the case for me with Wachusett Blueberry Ale.
The Wachusett Brewing Company was founded in Westminster, Massachusetts in
1993. I first found their beers a few years later, commuting back and forth
from West Warwick, Rhode Island to Worcester (that's Wuh-stuh, by the way,
not War-chest-ur), Massachusetts. I still recall stopping at a small package
store along route 146 just outside Worcester proper for a growler of fresh,
delicious Wachusett Ale. Their Blueberry Ale was introduced in 2001 and
instantly became a hit Chez Bruguru
Wachusett claims that "our blueberry defines the style." I'm not sure I
would go that far (though I will allow a certain license for puffing), but I
will say that this is one of my preferred Blueberry ales. A year round
selection (and a bargain these days at $7.99 a six-pack), the beer is made
with American Two-row and crystal malts, blueberries, and hopped with
Liberties, Tettnangs, and Perles. Alcohol is moderate at 4.5% by volume.
Update June 11th, 2023: Picked up a few bottles from Half Time, refreshing as ever. As you can see below, the beer has changed slightly with different malt and hop bills, but still features the blueberries in all their glory. IBUs are listed as 45.
MALTS: 2-ROW, WHEAT MALT, FLAKED OATS
HOPS: MOSAIC, SIMCOE, CASCADE
About Wachusett Brewing
Wachusett Brewing Company was founded in 1994 by three Massachusetts college students obsessed with the brewing culture and an appreciation for craft beer during their adventures of biking, canoeing, and hiking around New England. Armed with a we can do this attitude, the three cast off from their careers in engineering and biology to pursue their passion to make great beer.
Wachusett Blueberry Ale in a Wachusett Brewing Glass
Tasting Notes
Wachusett Blueberry Ale pours to a pale golden color with a very light head and wispy formation and a very pronounced nose of soft malt and fruit. Taking a sip, I immediately love the drinkability of this beer. It's crisp and refreshing with a moderate yet still firm biscuity malt backbone. It really accents the fruit nicely I think, which is also nicely done. Fresh, sweet, juicy blueberry flavor really comes through here, especially in the finish. But it isn't too sweet, and that makes the beer restorative and more-ish. A bit of butteriness adds depth as well, and a touch of herbal, grassy hops keep it from cloying in the finish.
Value & Verdict
Wachusett Blueberry Ale sells at Total Wine for $10.99 a 6-pack as I type.
Blueberries are a perfect spice for beer in this guru of brew's book, and Wachusett Blueberry Ale is one of the better ones on the market. It's delicate, delicious, and perfectly suited for warm weather imbibing. I love it, and I think you will, too.
