TIMBERYARD BREWING CO.
Timberyard’s co-owner and head brewer Matt Zarif and his wife Nellie know how to throw a bash. My brewery crew (wife Jenn, sister Yvette and brother-in-law Alan) decided to take a road trip to meet friends at Timberyard‘s Halloween blowout and were truly impressed. Timberyard is only a year old (opened in October 2018) and is already a major attraction in the Ma. brewery scene. Zarif and co-founder TJ O’Connor and investor Tom Sutter have created a beautiful space with an amazing vibe and, yes, good brew. Zarif was a former molecular biology scientist and has a passion for experimentation which can be seen in the wide variety of brew available at Timberyard.
As you enter the taproom you are met with a cavernous chamber reminiscent of a German beer hall. Everything about the brewery screams good time. In the back of the house there is a cool old pickup truck that doubles as a stage. There is the ability to project movies along the white side wall or as apropos to this evening, a psychedelic light show to augment the night’s entertainment, Grateful Dead tribute band Settle Down Easy. The taproom has a large easily accessible bar and off the bar is a small alcove overlooking the brewing tanks. Even though dogs are not allowed in the main body of the taproom due to Ma. state laws, there is a large outdoor patio where you can bring your pets. During the warmer months there are numerous events such as pig roasts slated for the veranda . Timberyard also offers a full kitchen with a varied menu. They also self distribute to a few select locations. Zarif and his associates definitely employed a lot of thought and hard work in putting Timberyard together.
Timberyard offers a excellent range of brews from Hindsight (N.E. IPA) and Wolftree (American Stout) to Slice Of Light (Belgian Wit) and Practice What You Peach (Saison). They also provide several seasonal beers such as Well Hopped IPA (American IPA) and Wild Apple Ale (American Wild Ale). On this particular night I stuck with Wolftree and was totally satisfied. It was full flavored with a strong hint of vanilla.
I spoke to several of Timberyard‘s team members and their responses were all positive. Both Kate and James enjoy the ambiance. For them everyday is a new experience. They seemed to relish the family friendly feel that Timberyard promotes. I can say that all the team members I met were extremely helpful and wanted to ensure that the patrons were having fun. As Kate put it, “we’re all family here. Everyone who walks through the door is part of our extended family“.
Timberyard‘s Halloween party was a blast. Many of the attendees were costumed and I could tell just wanted to appreciate the spirit of the evening. The band, Settle Down Easy, played two extended sets of Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia songs and greatly contributed to the festivities. I’m not the biggest Dead Head but the band was tight and the musicianship outstanding. Fan favorites “Iko Iko”, “Shakedown Street”, “When Push Comes To Shove” and “Mississippi Half Step” kept the dance floor full. At one point there was a massive balloon toss from the rafters that heightened the merriment.
My crew and I really had a boisterous and enjoyable time. For my Ct. brethren, it’s well worth the trip . Thanks to everyone at Timberyard for a memorable Hallows Eve.
TIMBERYARD BREWING CO.
555 EAST MAIN STREET
EAST BROOKFIELD, MA.
774-745-8192
HEAD BREWER———–MATT ZARIF
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