Background – Homefield Kitchen & Brewery
Jonathan Cook, home brewer and writer and his wife Suzanne LePage, a civil engineer started Homefield Kitchen & Brewery in 2016. Their focus for years has been to support the sustainable practices of locally raising what we eat and drink. Cook also wrote a book called Beer Terrain about the movement to bring local farms into the craft beer industry. His home brewing using only locally grown malt and hops drew interest. He was finally able to brew larger batches with the help of Rapscallion Brewery & Wormtown Brewery. In 2015 the pair set out to actually open their own brewery in Sturbridge.
Experience
We arrived to Homefield Kitchen & Brewery on a Friday afternoon shortly after they opened for the day shortly after our stop at the huge, commercial Tree House Brewing. Kind of a culture shock. It is a small, hidden away tasting room with rock walls and large bare wood ceiling. The building is just down the hill from an antique store. The brewing equipment is in one corner along with a short bar and several tables. It’s a cozy and homey place where local art adorned the walls. The ambiance was more a locals tavern, we did not feel all that welcome compared other places we have visited. We had a short, terse conversation with owner and brewer Jonathan Cook.
We ordered a flight of all the Homefield available beers. While waiting, we thumbed through his book Beer Terrain which was available for sale. Nocturne #142 a smooth and nutty dark ale, Today’s Special a citrusy IPA, Radiance #139 a light tart raspberry sour and Ball Park a light Ale. We also enjoyed a charcuterie board with local meats and cheeses. The beer and hand crafted food was tasty and unique. After our meal, we walked around the cluttered little antique shop and patio. Perfect fall day excursion in New England.
They have live music on weekends. Homefield is not far from the infamous Tree House. You might not want to mention Tree House to Jonathan though… No nearby lodging noted.
