Rustic Brewing Company (MA)
Article by Contributor Tricia Bielinski
Nestled in the little area of Springfield, Massachusetts known as Indian Orchard, there’s a craft brewery doing things just slightly different than the multitude of others that have cropped up over the years. Owners Todd Kopiek, Jared Methe and Eric Paul launched their passion project just a couple of years ago in the Indian Orchard Mills and have been churning out inventive beers ever since.
There’s something a bit inspiring about walking into an old mill to tour the fruits of someone’s entrepreneurial labor, and Rustic Brewing Company has succeeded in turning a dank space into an inventive and cozy spot that’s well, rustic. There’s even an old fashioned popcorn machine producing the hot salty snack while you wait for your beer on reserve.
That’s right, reserved beer. In the manic rush to get their hands on the latest inventive releases breweries offer, one can often times find themselves in a very long line on any given weekend only to get to the front and find out what they were looking for is sold out. Rustic has established a reservation process done online through their website so you are assured when you make the drive there you will carry home exactly what you wanted.
In Todd’s words, “some people think we’re trying to be exclusive by only opening for reservations, but really we’re trying to save people time and frustration. Wouldn’t you want to know you’re going to get your beer after waiting in line for however long?” That little push on service has been a differentiator for them and a real plus for their growing customer base.
I tasted a few of their beers including a Raspberry Mango Milkshake IPA (delicious), Galaxy Blind IPA (my best friend, an IPA devotee, described it as ‘lights out’) a Coffee Nut Stout, and Fruitful Darkness Raspberry Chocolate Stout. All delicious and I was captivated listening to Todd talk about their future plans, his passion for his business so clear.
There’s a taproom in the works and they are making the all important transition from glass growlers to cans. They currently produce about two batches per week which is approximately 70 gallons of beer, and always sell out. Beer enthusiasts have come from all over New England and they even self distribute at a few spots around Massachusetts where the store owners make sure they reserve each week because they routinely sell out in their stores.
Their website has clear directions on how to find them as well as a full list of all of their beers. Be sure to reserve yours today!
Featured image from Rustic Brewing Company Instagram