Weekly Update July 15, 2026
Hello! My name is Bob and whenever I turn on my grill I smell propane. That’s not a good thing, right?
The fact that I even need to ask this question may help explain why I am not qualified to change a keg, clean the taplines, or maybe even operate the Lukr tap in the Taproom. I can, however, write in complete sentences with the correct spelling and use of punctuation more than 50% of the time. That means I am qualified to write this week’s Amory’s Tomb Newsletter!
We’re clearly into the summer quieter period now, but here’s this week’s Tomb News:
FEATURED EVENT
Allen’s Away So I Try (and Fail) To Interview Rick
After running himself ragged brewing tons of beer, baking scones, flipping smash burgers and performing in Asleep in a Box, Allen is taking a well-earned break this week. This would seem like the perfect time to focus on Rick.
It’s fair to say that I wouldn’t have kept coming back to Amory’s Tomb in the early days if it wasn’t for Rick. Rick was the one tending bar on opening night. I’ve written before about my first impressions of Amory’s Tomb 7.5 years ago - the place had weird beer offerings and the old taproom’s decor at opening could best be described as “unfinished basement”. But Rick was super-friendly and welcoming, as he is with everyone. So I came back again. And again. And again. I actually knew Rick well before I knew Allen.
I thought with Allen away it would be the perfect time to catch up with Rick for this week’s Newsletter. There’s only one problem. Rick is under the bizarre impression that I am “the press”, and he doesn’t want to speak to the press! I’ve pointed out to him that I am not “the press”, I’m more like a part of his marketing department. Furthermore, I never send out any of these emails on my own. Allen has final say on every newsletter (including this one) and sends them out.
Despite these explanations, Rick remained reluctant. Nonetheless, I’m a little starved for content this week, so I went ahead and asked him some questions anyway. Here’s how it went:
Me: Any new beers being released on tap this week?
Rick: We’ll find out.
Me: Um, ok. Did you brew anything this week?
Rick: I don’t have to answer that.
Me: I’ve noticed you like to play Yacht Rock in the Beer Garden. Why is that?
Rick: We’re not here to talk about this.
Me: What’s your favorite Amory’s Tomb beer?
Rick: I want to be alone.
Me: Maybe I should switch to a biographical question. How did you start brewing beer?
Rick: I’m not here to talk about the past.
Me: How about this - Are there any beers you wish you would have brewed?
Rick: Quite frankly, there is nothing that I can come up with that I would think I would do different given the facts I had at the time.
Me: OK. Allen’s away, so maybe you will answer this one. Do you spell it “d-r-a-u-g-h-t” or “d-r-a-f-t”?
Rick: Let’s call it quits because I’ve had enough. [Gets up and storms off.]
What an epic fail!
OK, I lied. Rick and I didn’t really have the above conversation. I made up the questions. “Rick’s” non-answers are real quotes from famous people, though. See if you can identify them - without Google! I put the answers at the bottom of this email.
The part about Rick being a great guy is totally true. Next time you see him, though, ask him to loosen up on giving me information for these newsletters. Maybe next time Allen is gone, we can do a real interview!
DRAUGHT UPDATE
It’s Hot, Order a Shandy!
I don’t have to tell you it’s hot out. The Beer Garden is built on an old parking lot and the portion of its “floor” can get hot enough that you might be able to fry an egg on it. (Please do not actually try this!) Thankfully, the Beer Garden has that big tree, umbrellas and shade for part of the day from the building next door so it’s actually quite pleasant out there much of the time.
If you are sitting in the Beer Garden and you feel a little warmer than you’d like, may I suggest you try a Shandy? That’s right, it’s Shandy Season!
Shandies, for those unfamiliar, are drinks that are half beer, half lemonade. They’ve proven quite popular in years past as a refreshing way to beat the heat in the Beer Garden.
The specific shandy on offer, of course, depends on the beers that are available. Currently, Amory’s Tomb is mixing lemonade with either Farm Road or Saison XLII. Farm Road seems like an obvious choice - it’s a lighter, refreshing beer that seems like a natural for a shandy.
Saison XLII is an intriguing alternative. On its own, Saison XLII is a bit funkier than Farm Road, and I am definitely curious to taste how that works with the lemonade.
If you go for the Saison XLII Shandy, I have a suggestion. Since lemonade begins with “L”, I think you should just order a “Saison XCII”. (XLII + L = XCII, get it? Get it? Am I the only one who likes Roman Numeral jokes?)
You can’t go wrong whether you choose Farm Road or Saison XLII for your shandy. Either way, its a great way to cool yourself down in the Beer Garden. Give one a try!
COMING ATTRACTIONS
Here’s what’s coming soon at Amory’s Tomb
July 5 Wheat & Water Crafted Doughz
July 25 Julio’s Summer Fest - Westborough
See you at the Tomb, unless I explode the grill in my face again! Haven’t done that for 15 years or so! (Sadly, this is true…)
Who said “Rick’s” non-answers?
In the order in which they appear:
“We’ll find out” - Brad Stevens, President of Basketball Operations for the Celtics
“I don’t have to answer that” - Gary Hart, Former Presidential candidate
“We’re not here to talk about this - Jordan Hudson - Bill Belichek’s girlfriend
“I want to be alone” - Greta Garbo - Actress
“I’m not here to talk about the past” - Mark McGwire - Former Major League Baseball player
“Quite frankly, there is nothing that I can come up with that I would think I would do different given the facts I had at the time.” - Jeffrey Skilling, Former CEO of Enron
“Let’s call it quits because I’ve had enough” - Donald Trump, President of the United States
