Tradition and Terroir: The Brewery at Four Star Farms

One day this summer, if you're on a quest to find a beer that truly quenches your thirst, then you'll want to be traveling through Northfield, Massachusetts. There, you may want to be on the lookout for a brewing gem that combines agriculture with craftsmanship, and tradition with innovation — the Brewery at Four Star Farms. Not just a brewery, this one-of-a-kind spot is owned by the L'Etoile family, with Chris Sellers at the helm, and is redefining what it means to create a beer that is not only delicious but also deeply connected to its origins. What sets this brewery apart from others along the road? Its integration with Four Star Farms — a functioning farm where hops and grains are grown on-site. Born out of a vision to bring craft beer as close as possible to its ingredients, Sellers states, "The goal was to bring craft beer as close as possible to the ingredients that go into the brew." This farm-to-glass approach allows visitors to witness the journey of their beer, from the hop yard to the glass in hand — a truly unique experience in the world of brewing. "I like the idea of being able to look out to the field where your main ingredient grows. To be able to be near and enjoy the whole process from start to finish. Like a winery and a vineyard," Sellers said, "Beer is interesting in that no one does anything like that. That's why what we have here is so special." Since its inception in the fall of 2019, the Brewery at Four Star Farms has been on a mission to showcase the flavors of locally grown hops and grains. With eight different varieties of hops, ranging from earthy and European to citrusy and fruity, the brewery offers a diverse range of brews that capture the essence of the Massachusetts terroir. What is terroir you ask? As the Four Star Farms webpage describes it, terroir is a "taste of place." "Take hops for example, regardless of which variety you grow or where in the world you grow them, the things that happen to those plants in a given season (think rain, amount of sunshine, average temperatures, the type of soil you're growing in, etc.) will all impact the flavor and aroma produced from region to region," they further explain. With that in mind, one of the brewery's flagship offerings is "The Northfielder," a crisp and refreshing pilsner that embodies the spirit of their local community. Another standout is "Spring Mending," an American pale ale bursting with hoppy goodness and seasonal freshness. For those seeking a richer experience, "The Dark Dark," an oak-aged stout with lactose, offers a decadent journey into the depths of flavor. No matter what your brew of choice is though, you can expect it to be just what you're looking for. As Sellers says, "We want to meet that baseline for any type of beer that people like and make it ours. Think of it like this, New England IPAs tend to come with an expected flavor. We want to meet those expectations and make something that still has its own unique flavor – one you can only find with our hops." For Sellers, co-owner and general manager of the brewery, it's not just a process either, it's a purposeful endeavor to create complexity within traditional styles while expressing unique ingredients and processes. His journey into the world of brewing began with home experimentation and learning, eventually leading him to professional brewing at The People's Pint Restaurant and Brewery in Greenfield, Massachusetts, and then finally landed him here. But the Brewery at Four Star Farms is more than just a place to enjoy a great beer; it's a hub of community engagement and education. Through events and collaborations, the brewery invites visitors to immerse themselves in the world of brewing and agriculture. As Sellers explains, "We try to do events that let people engage with the ingredients as much as possible." Whether it's hop-picking sessions or grain-to-glass tours, the brewery offers a glimpse into the craftsmanship and passion behind each pint. As the Brewery at Four Star Farms celebrates its third year of operation, it continues to uphold its commitment to quality, sustainability and innovation. With each pour, it invites beer enthusiasts to savor local flavors and experience the magic of farm-to-glass brewing. What more could you want?