June 17th, 2024

Breweries in the Berkshires for Every Beer Lover

Craving a cold one? Join the rest of Great Barrington and embark on a brewery tour for the day. This summer, our favorite tap rooms are serving up classic ales, hoppy IPAs, tangy sours, and more, each with its unique twist. Visit us in the Berkshires to experience it all. 

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Big Elm Brewing & Berkshire Hard Seltzer 

In October 2022, Big Elm Brewing & Berkshire Hard Seltzer expanded to just north of downtown Great Barrington! Originally established over a decade ago, this dog-friendly brewery is focused on bringing their neighbors and community fresh quality beer. 

They produce beer year-round, especially their staple six brews: American Lager, 413 Farmhouse Ale, IPA, Gerry Dog Stout, Lion’s Ale & Fat Boy, but also smaller seasonal batches and limited-release and taproom-only brews. They also brew hard seltzer, including their three signature flavors of Lavender Lemonade, Grapefruit Hibiscus, and Strawberry Watermelon. 

Barrington Brewery and Restaurant

This Great Barrington brewery has been serving homemade brewed beer and food from scratch since 1995. Though they primarily brew ales throughout the year, they run a lager series each spring, and their menu features something for everyone. 

This brewery takes the idea of sustainability to the next level. They were the first brewery on the East Coast to install a solar panel system that supplies solar-heated hot water for brewing and restaurant use. In addition, all of the spent grain from their brewery feeds the cows at a local beef farm.

Berkshire Brewing Company 

Berkshire Brewing Company was created in the fall of 1994 with one purpose in mind: to revive a time-honored tradition of high-quality craft brewing in the Berkshires. Berkshire’s fresh, unfiltered, unpasteurized ales are a favorite of locals and visitors alike. Venture here if you’re looking for a relaxed, down-to-earth vibe—in both the people and the beer. 

With an unyielding focus on craftsmanship, fresh brewing, and their community, this microbrewery distributes a broad range of year-round and seasonal ales and lagers to locations all across New England. 

Bright Ideas Brewing 

When it comes to breweries in the Berkshires, Bright Ideas is one of our favorites. Located in North Adams, this dog-friendly taproom serves up delicious beer—try their Bright Trail Pale Ale, Guava Mangose, or Chocco Biscotto if you’re feeling adventurous—as well as fun seasonal events. Comedy shows, live music, trivia nights, and dinner parties in partnership with local restaurants top the list. 


Stay at the Briarcliff Motel

After your brewery tour around the Berkshires, you’ll need a place to rest and recover. Grab your drinking buddies and book a room at the nearby Briarcliff Motel. Located at the foot of Monument Mountain, in the heart of the Berkshires, and just a five-minute drive from Great Barrington, this eccentric motel is a perfect home base for craft beer lovers, foodies, outdoor adventurers, and culture seekers. We can’t wait to see you there this summer. Cheers!