wandering star brewery

Wandering Star Craft Brewery

Review Highlights

“ The brewery cat, Fuggle is the cutest little host and owner Chris is a blast. ” in 4 reviews

“ There is a lovely garden in the back were we catch sights of monarch butterflies while we played Jenga . ” in 3 reviews

“ My husband and I stopped here for a quick beer on our way back to Boston after a wedding in the Berkshires . ” in 3 reviews

Location & Hours

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11 Gifford St

Pittsfield, MA 01201

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About the Business

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Business Owner

Fresh draft beer Cans and growlers to go Board games, pool, ping pong Seasonal beer garden with bocce, cornhole Bring your own food, order in, or try our heat and eat meals from local vendor Braise Worthy! …

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Overall rating

Excellent beer, great people, and the legend that is Fuggle the cat. What more do you need?

Stumbled across this gem after a nice hike with my girlfriends. Obviously things are different with COVID but we just happened to have a BEAUTIFUL day and this brewery had outdoor seating! They do not sell food so the beers were sold to go, but there were tables and chairs in the sunshine, spaced 6 feet apart, so we bought a few beers and took a seat! I believe they also had curbside pickup for beer as well as I heard the gentleman taking an order as we walked up to order. Great beer, nice spot & support local!

Beers and sunshine! Ignore the background lol

This brewery is unique! Nothing fancy, but great IPAs. It's seemed to be a one man band, but the owner definitely had it in control. Definitely worth checking out!

Chris and his cat Fuggle are the two sole proprietors of Wandering Star Brewery. Together they brew, taste, serve, and host all beers and thirsty patrons coming to sample. Five dollar flights are unbeatable - and each brew is packed with layered, bright flavor. Delicious beers, great service, awesome conversation, and an amazing live-in mascot with Fuggle make this working brew warehouse a comfortable lounge to sample with friends.

This place is just straight up FUN. Honestly, a great time, great beer, and great people. The brewery cat, Fuggle is the cutest little host and owner Chris is a blast. We came not knowing what we were getting into, but wanted somewhere with a pool table or something to do while we drank. They have pool, ping pong, jenga, and a slew of board games. Will be back again, we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Can't wait to go back! - Serene, Eliza, & Travis

I dropped in here while on a business trip in the area. Happened to find it when searching for a local brewery, and I'm really glad I did! The beer was excellent all around (ipas, porter, everything really). The owner, Chris, was incredibly nice and the locals there were too. Definitely a place to come back to if/when I'm back here!

There are few times when your expectation is a reality. Luckily, our stop at wandering star brewery was just that. Serving as a pit stop during our drive back from my cousins wedding, we enjoyed the lovely backyard atmosphere. We truly felt like we were pulling up to a friends house to catch up and have a beer on our way through. There is a lovely garden in the back were we catch sights of monarch butterflies while we played Jenga. Lots of seating, perfect for an afternoon with friends. Very small scale, this intimate brewery is clearly beloved by the neighbors. You can hear calls of dinner plans between draft pours. And The beer is really, really good. My favorite was the bartender, a calico named fuggel. Described jokingly to us as "the only part of he business plan that actually worked out". Regardless of the original plan, we loved how it turned out and will Sure to be back.

Awesome garage brewery! Beer is great! The staff and cat are so friendly and nice. My husband and I stopped here for a quick beer on our way back to Boston after a wedding in the Berkshires. It was supposed to be a quick stop, but we enjoyed the place and beer so much that we stayed for over two hours drinking beer and playing board games. Happy to report I am still the queen of checkers. I NEVER lose! :) If you are looking for great beer and an off the beaten path kind place, this is your brewery!

Wandering Star is an eclectic brewery with sort of a mish mash of decorations. The beer I would consider below average compared to most breweries but the employee working was friendly enough and happy to help. They even have a house cat that wanders throughout the brewery which is pretty neat (unless you have allergies). When I visited it took them a while to get the taps to work and the beer was not impressive.

100% good vibes, beer was great, played a few rounds of jenga, pool, darts, ping pong... had an awesome conversation with Chris the brewer... gooooood spot!

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Wandering Star Craft Brewery

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WANDERING STAR BREWERY

Wandering Star Brewery is pretty much the definition of “off the beaten path.” Located in a garage in Pittsfield, this 10-beer craft brewery was started by three friends who met through the New York City craft brew scene. They opened up shop in 2011 and have since developed a broad distribution base at bars throughout Massachusetts and New York, but there’s nothing like getting beer fresh from the source. Stop by most Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. to sample their brews, take a tour, and fill up a growler. Do call first to be sure, and note that this is not a brew pub. They change many of their beers seasonally, but year-round favorites include Second Breakfast (a session IPA) and Catnip (a white IPA).

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Wandering Star Craft Brewery

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

WANDERING STAR CRAFT BREWERY: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

• Sat - Sun 12:00 - 17:00
• (2.15 mi) Hotel on North
• (7.23 mi) Cornell Inn Lenox
• (8.21 mi) Brook Farm Inn
• (4.34 mi) Hilton Garden Inn Lenox Pittsfield
• (7.52 mi) Garden Gables Inn
• (0.04 mi) O'Laughlin's Pub
• (0.37 mi) Teo's Hot Dogs
• (0.49 mi) Zucco's Family Restaurant
• (0.47 mi) China Wok
• (0.72 mi) Sibaritas

Wandering Star Craft Brewery

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Wandering Star Craft Brewery - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Sat - Sun 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• (3.44 km) Hotel on North
• (11.57 km) Cornell Inn Lenox
• (13.14 km) Brook Farm Inn
• (6.95 km) Hilton Garden Inn Lenox Pittsfield
• (12.04 km) Garden Gables Inn
• (0.06 km) O'Laughlin's Pub
• (0.59 km) Teo's Hot Dogs
• (0.78 km) Zucco's Family Restaurant
• (0.76 km) China Wok
• (1.15 km) Sibaritas

• Pittsfield, Massachusetts /

Wandering Star Craft Brewery

This place is known for good craft beer or delicious draft beer . At Wandering Star Craft Brewery , visitors can try great juice . The fast service will make you feel nice. There is nice atmosphere at this place, as people find it. The Facebook users gave a 4.3 star rating for this spot, so it may totally satisfy your needs in terms of food and service.

Best in the city This award is based on the analysis of multiple factors, including reviews, ratings, and user engagement trends on Restaurant Guru.

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Wandering Star Brewing

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Wandering Star Brewery

11 Gifford Street , Pittsfield , Massachusetts 01201

Wandering Star is a 15 barrel production brewery and taproom in the heart of the Berkshires open for tours, tasings and grower fills.

Brewing and self-distributing a wide range of artisanal ales in kegs and cans throughout Berkshire County - the brewery is also open on Saturdays and special holiday hours for tours, tastings and off-premise sales, and we also host a number of public and private events through the year.

Straight from the Source- Berkshire Breweries

The Berkshires offers its fare share of local craft brews- visit the brewery for the freshest cold-one around.

© berkshires.com 2022

Wandering Star Craft Brewery

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Wandering Star Craft Brewery - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Sat - Sun 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
• (3.44 km) Hotel on North
• (11.57 km) Cornell Inn Lenox
• (13.14 km) Brook Farm Inn
• (6.95 km) Hilton Garden Inn Lenox Pittsfield
• (12.04 km) Garden Gables Inn
• (0.06 km) O'Laughlin's Pub
• (0.59 km) Teo's Hot Dogs
• (0.78 km) Zucco's Family Restaurant
• (0.76 km) China Wok
• (1.15 km) Sibaritas

Latest e-Edition

• The Berkshire Eagle

• Pittsfield, Massachusetts

Chris Post, the owner of Wandering Star Craft Brewery in Pittsfield, says the impetus for his making beer has its roots In his pride being injured while trying to brew at home in 2002. "It was so appalling that I was completely determined to do it right," he says.

• BEN GARVER - THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE

PITTSFIELD — Chris Post was looking to upgrade his home-brewing equipment while living in New York City 17 years ago when he found the contents of a since-expired brewpub in Michigan for sale …

Executive Spotlight: Chris Post, owner, Wandering Star Craft Brewery

• By Tony Dobrowolski, The Berkshire Eagle
• Apr 30, 2020

PITTSFIELD — Chris Post was looking to upgrade his home-brewing equipment while living in New York City 17 years ago when he found the contents of a since-expired brewpub in Michigan for sale on eBay. On a lark, Post decided to bid on the material. Three days later, he learned to his "surprise" and "horror" that he had won the equipment.

"So, I went home and had that somewhat awkward 'How was your day, honey? I just bought a brewery' conversation," Post said.

It worked out for the best. That equipment eventually became the foundation for Wandering Star Craft Brewery, which the native of the United Kingdom established in 2011 in Pittsfield.

We spoke with Post recently about his experiences in home brewing, how he came to acquire his equipment, why he moved to the Berkshires, and his take on the state of the craft beer movement in the Berkshires and Western Massachusetts.

Q: How did you get involved making beer?

A:  I basically started home brewing way back in 2002, I guess it was.

I got a kit from an old home-brew store in Northampton. I had just recently bought a house up here (in Becket). I was working in New York City and coming up here on the weekends. I got a home-brew kit for Christmas, and I tried it out and it was appallingly bad.

Q: So, why did you continue?

A: It was an injured pride thing. I think if it had been OK, I probably would have done it, dumped it and not tried it again. But, it was so appalling that I was completely determined to do it right. ... It was kind of a passion that was actually started by me being so irritated at myself for [screwing] it up so badly the first time.

Q: How did you come to the United States?

A: I was working for an accounting firm in London (Post is from southern England). They sent me to New York for a year. As soon as I landed in New York I thought to myself, "I'm not going back."

Q: Why did you go to the Berkshires?

A: Someone gave me tickets to Tanglewood, and I'd never heard of James Taylor, for goodness sake. But, I got the tickets, and it was delightful, so, I kind of went along and kind of fell in love with the countryside around here.

Q: What did you like about New York?

A: At the time (1996), London was, strangely enough, a very sleepy city and New York had a sense of energy and vibrancy that London just couldn't match.

I was mostly home brewing from my apartment in Manhattan, so, I joined the New York Home Brewer's Club. Me and Chris, the other guy who helped me start the brewery, were the most active in the bunch and pretty soon they elected us to head it, which got us into contact with an awful lot of professional brewers ... it all mushroomed from there.

Q: So, what happened next?

A: I started working at a bank (in New York in 1998) and my boss was in London. ... I started hanging around, being a nuisance at a local brewpub in Chelsea. ...

The time that I was on eBay, I was sitting on the trading floor, completely bored, looking to upgrade my home-brewing equipment, and someone had listed the entire contents of a brewpub in Michigan that had gone belly up. They had listed it, basically, for the price of an OK car, a decently fitted Subaru.

Even with my limited knowledge of everything, it seemed ridiculously inexpensive, and I was just hung over enough at the time that a kind of wandering instinct kicked in and I pressed the bid button.

To my total surprise and, frankly, my horror, I found out three days later that I'd won it.

Q: What did you do?

A: I flew into Chicago, then drove around the lake to inspect this equipment. I quickly found out why it was so inexpensive — because someone had basically hacked it out of its location. It was in a lot of pieces. ... I left it in storage there for a number of years. ...

But, I flew back over there to check it out and noticed that some of the dispensing equipment had disappeared. ... So, I shifted it to storage in North Adams. ... Then I began actively looking for a location here in the Berkshires. After quite awhile, I saw the building on Gifford Street (in Pittsfield) for sale that we still occupy.

Q: Why did you call the brewery Wandering Star?

A: It's a song by a British group, Portishead, that I like, but it seemed very apt, given that we were just kind of wandering around, kind of clueless, about where on Earth we were going to set up.

Q: You've also given the beers you've made interesting names, like Dizzy Blonde, Catcher in the Rye and Loopy Juice. Where do these come from?

A: You just keep an ear out, you know. Something strikes you as a good name, then you check around to see if anyone used it. ...

Loopy Juice, which is our biggest-selling beer ... when I was kid growing up in England, that was a name for a basically too-high-strength beer. ... When I was thinking of something to call a double IPA, that name just popped into my head. ...

The flavor that comes from enjoying IPAs comes from a compound called lupulin. ... I really like the additional level of meaning that it gave that phrase.

Q: How does the craft beer movement in Berkshire County and Western Massachusetts compare with the rest of the country?

A: We were incredibly lucky here in Western Massachusetts to have these pioneers of craft brewing. Berkshire Brewing (in South Deerfield) has been around for an awfully long time, and I think that has turned the entire Pioneer Valley into a magnet for breweries. It's been a bit slower in Berkshire County.

Q: How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected the craft beer industry?

A: It basically depends on how your brewery operated, what its business model was and how quickly you might be able to pivot to a different business model.

Brewpubs [that] derive much of their revenue from on-site consumption and tend to have considerably higher fixed costs due to the locations that they're in, they've seen their income just disappear. Regional breweries that rely predominately on sales to bars and restaurants ... that side of the business has completely disappeared. Whereas the packaging side, sending cans and bottles to package stores or distributors that send them to package stores, is looking a lot healthier because people are — guess what? — continuing to drink through all of this.

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Wandering Star Craft Brewery

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Wandering Star Chocolate Orange Porter

Wandering star brewing company, tangerine cream, loopy juice.

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Todd Zimmerman is drinking a Thai Wun On! by Wandering Star Brewing Company at Wandering Star Craft Brewery

Purchased at Wandering Star Craft Brewery

Todd Zimmerman is drinking a Wandering Star Chocolate Orange Porter by Wandering Star Brewing Company at Wandering Star Craft Brewery

Todd Zimmerman is drinking a Tangerine Cream by Wandering Star Brewing Company at Wandering Star Craft Brewery

Todd Zimmerman is drinking a Loopy Juice by Wandering Star Brewing Company at Wandering Star Craft Brewery

Patricia MacLeod is drinking a Tangerine Cream by Wandering Star Brewing Company at Wandering Star Craft Brewery

Patricia MacLeod is drinking a Dark Materials by Wandering Star Brewing Company at Wandering Star Craft Brewery

Craig is drinking a Tangerine Cream by Wandering Star Brewing Company at Wandering Star Craft Brewery

Patricia MacLeod is drinking a Loopy Juice by Wandering Star Brewing Company at Wandering Star Craft Brewery

Craig is drinking a Dark Materials by Wandering Star Brewing Company at Wandering Star Craft Brewery

Patricia MacLeod is drinking a Wandering Star Chocolate Orange Porter by Wandering Star Brewing Company at Wandering Star Craft Brewery

Craig is drinking a Loopy Juice by Wandering Star Brewing Company at Wandering Star Craft Brewery

Craig is drinking a Wandering Star Chocolate Orange Porter by Wandering Star Brewing Company at Wandering Star Craft Brewery

Patricia MacLeod is drinking a Peanut Butter Porter by Wandering Star Brewing Company at Wandering Star Craft Brewery

Craig is drinking a Peanut Butter Porter by Wandering Star Brewing Company at Wandering Star Craft Brewery

Brian Tomkowicz is drinking a Crushable Blonde by Wandering Star Brewing Company at Wandering Star Craft Brewery

sue l is drinking a Wandering Star Chocolate Orange Porter by Wandering Star Brewing Company at Wandering Star Craft Brewery

Great to be back and see Fugles and Chris of curse!

Justin Walter is drinking a Crushable Blonde by Wandering Star Brewing Company at Wandering Star Craft Brewery

Angelia Bisbee is drinking a Dark Materials by Wandering Star Brewing Company at Wandering Star Craft Brewery

Justin Walter is drinking a Loopy Juice by Wandering Star Brewing Company at Wandering Star Craft Brewery

Justin Walter is drinking a Dark Materials by Wandering Star Brewing Company at Wandering Star Craft Brewery