South Deerfield, Massachusetts / 5.3% abv

From the scenic Berkshires just over the border in Massachusetts, Berkshire Brewing Co. makes some super solid, underrated craft beers in myriad traditional styles. Their flagship, Steel Rail Extra Pale Ale, reminds us of why we love beer in the first place.  

Extremely thirst-quenching, with fruity flavors and a subtle sweetness, this beer just goes down easy.  We get flavors of ripe red delicious apples and a biscuit/cracker maltiness.  The trademark soft, fine carbonation feels almost creamy, and demonstrates this often-overlooked humble brewery’s true finesse.

We agree with renowned beer writer Lew Bryson, and think he hit the rail spike on the head when he said Steel Rail EPA is “what the water in heaven oughta taste like.”