Weekly Update 8/26/2026

Weekly Update August 26, 2026

Hello! My name is Bob, and I’ve returned from vacation on Cape Cod tanned, rested and ready! That qualifies me to write this week’s Amory’s Tomb Newsletter!

The Cape is terrific. I go there for the mild weather, the beaches, the ocean, great seafood, great restaurants. But let’s face it, nobody goes to the Cape expecting to find a lot of locally-made farmhouse ale.

So even though I had great time, boy was I glad to be able to return to our favorite farmhouse-focused Metrowest brewery for last weekend’s awesome Dungeon Synth concert! It totally lived up to the billing! Hopefully that wasn’t a one-off!

Enough about the past, though. Here’s this week’s Tomb news:

FEATURED SNACKS

Major Snack Upgrade Underway!!!

You may not have realized it, but Allen and Rick have been low-key expanding their snack offerings over the past few weeks. I’ve placed the current menu into 4 categories

More Tinned Fish

Assuming you are one of the few who does not automatically route these newsletters to your Trash folder, you may recall from a few weeks ago that I wrote about Amory’s Tomb’s tinned fish offerings from José Gourmet. Those have been selling well enough that there are only a handful left, so Allen has ordered more.

José Gourmet has a ridiculously large selection of tinned fish, and Allen has told me there will be a few exotic offerings in addition to the regulars. He wouldn’t divulge everything, but he did tell me that one of the tins will be a port wine and trout paté! Yum!

Charcuterie from Smoking Goose

But what if you are a reverse-pescatarian - someone who eats only terrestrial meat and eschews all fish? Smoking Goose products, a staple of the old taproom, have made their long-awaited return with 2 offerings.

First up is Smoking Goose Stagberry Salame. This is salami is made primarily with elk plus a little bit of pork and dried blueberries. Hence, the name. (Elk + Blueberry = Stagberry) It sounds amazing.

Next is the Smoking Goose Pig & Rabbit Terrine. There’s two things I know about a terrine:

1. You do not ask exactly how it’s made or what’s in it!

2. A terrine from a great source like Smoking Goose is guaranteed to taste amazing!

Things I Can’t Eat Because I Only Have 2 Useful Molars Right Now

Allen and Rick also have a whole host of items that sound great to me. Sadly, given my ongoing dental issues I have to pass. If your teeth are better, perhaps you’d like to give these a try, and then taunt me with how amazing they taste:

• Smoking Goose Cheddar Bacon Caramel Popcorn - Bacon in popcorn? Why has no one thought of this before??

• Olive & Sinclair Duck Fat Caramel - Duck Fat is never not good!

• Olive & Sinclair Smoked Nib Brittle - My teeth are brittle, or I’d be all over this one!

• Haupt Lakrits [Redacted] Licorice - Covered in chocolate and flavored with Smoked Sea Salt! It has an alliterative two word name where the second word is “Fabulous”! I bet it is!

• Haupt Lakrits Hot Swedish [Also Redacted] Licorice - If you are a maniac, go for this one. It’s flavored with strawberries and Carolina Reaper peppers! Be sure to have a full beer ready!

Normal Accoutrements

Finally, there are more normal selections to round out any of the above offerings, or enjoy by themselves while you are downing a draught or two. Various chips and crackers are available, as is something called “Cheez-Its Baked Cheese Crackers”. That sound pretty high-falutin’, but it’s just regular Cheez-Its. Not that there’s anything wrong with that!

The above food offerings are a massive upgrade from what’s been on offer until now, and I dare say are even an upgrade over what was available during the heyday of the old taproom.

They do beg one question, though. Sunday Fellowship was put on hold for most of the summer. Well, Labor Day is next week, which means summer is over! (Yeah, yeah, it’s not technically over until September 22nd. Thank you very much, calendar nerd!)

What do you say, Allen?? What’s going on with Sunday Fellowship? Is it coming back?

Editor’s Note: Yes, Sunday Fellowship will be back, and we have additional ideas on the horizon, but we haven’t quite worked out a plan for Autumn yet. The school year came roaring back, and I’m still trying to figure out how to shuffle kids to two different schools and 15 different weekly activities. As soon as we know the who/what/where/when we’ll make an announcement about the return or our favorite food program.

Going a step further, the re-emergence of Smoking Goose on the menu tells me its time for a grassroots movement agitating for the return of the G.O.A.T. of Amory’s Tomb brunch items. That’s right, next you are in the Taproom, just start spontaneously chanting:

Jowl Bacon!

Jowl Bacon!

Jowl Bacon!

Who’s with me on this one?

FEATURED DRAUGHT

A Pan-European Offering on Lukr!

As you likely know if you’ve read this far, Man Bun Pilsner is my favorite AT beer. Apparently many other people also really like Man Bun because, stunningly, Allen and Rick have already run out of their most recent batch of kegs!

The fact that Man Bun Berg and Tubes became all the rage didn’t hurt sales of Man Bun either. In fact, it was in the middle of setting up a round of Berg and Tubes that the last keg kicked.

Fortunately, Justin had the genius idea to put Giōrgü on the Lukr tap. Giōrgü is Amory’s Tomb’s Italian-style pilsner. It’s a really good, crisp beer and now it’s available of the Lukr for a limited time.

That’s right! The Berg and a Tube now features an Italian pilsner with a Romanian name, pouring from a Czech tap, combined with a German digestif! Truly a pan-European experience!

Giōrgü is only going to be on the Lukr for a few weeks and then it’ll be replaced by a more familiar Amory’s Tomb Lukr offering. So get your Giōrgü Berg and a Tube while you can!

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Here’s what’s coming soon at Amory’s Tomb

• Sept 3 Wheat & Water Crafted Doughz (On a Thursday!!)

• Sept 5 Assabet Craft Beer & Food Truck Fest - Stow, MA

• Sept 16 Wheat & Water Crafted Doughz

• Sept 19 Maynard Country Fest

• Sept 25 SVT Beer in the Barn Wolbach Farm - Sudbury, MA

See you at the Tomb!  Jowl Bacon!  Jowl Bacon!  Jowl Bacon!

Weekly Update 8/19/2026

Weekly Update August 19, 2026

Hello! My name is Bob, and both Allen and I are overlapping vacations! No, that doesn’t mean we are the same person! Please stop with all these conspiracies!

What both of us traveling this week does mean is that I’m writing this newsletter well in advance of when it’ll actually be sent. Since I am writing this one so early, for all I know everything below could turn out not to be true by the time you receive it!

What do you mean that’s no different than any other issue of the newsletter?? Sheesh! You lead the newsletter with a completely fictionalized interview one time - ok, I’ve done it two times - and people just assume everything you write is inaccurate.

Well, this week’s lead event is very real and sounds awesome. If you’ve been to the Tap Room at any time over the past few weeks, you’ve seen the posters and flyers for this week’s lead event and already know what I am referring to. Let’s get right to it:

FEATURED EVENT

An Evening of Dungeon Synth in the Beer Garden on Saturday, August 22nd!

For those, like me, who have no idea what Dungeon Synth even is, let’s start there.  Dungeon Synth is a musical genre that’s been around since the 1990’s.  I’ve been around a lot longer than that, and I’d never heard about it until the flyers for this evening started appearing in the Taproom!  So, I had to do a little internet research.

Dungeon Synth has roots in the black metal scene in the 1990’s, and if you listen to any Dungeon Synth you can definitely hear that influence.  However, I wouldn’t call Dungeon Synth metal at all.  It’s heavy, to be sure, but you won’t hear any growling Cookie Monster vocals or bone-rattling riffs in Dungeon Synth.  

Dungeon Synth is synthesizer-based (obviously!) dark, sort-of-but-not-really-ambient music, and it sounds to me like what would have been created if they actually had synthesizers in those old medieval castles in Europe.  Especially if that castle was inhabited by wizards and maybe also some disease-infected rats, which I assume is what lived in all dungeons in the middle ages.  It may evoke something else for you when you hear it.  Here’s a good article I found on Dungeon Synth, if you want to learn more:

https://www.deadendfollies.com/blog/metal-outsiders-journey-dungeon-synth

Whether you’re a big fan of the genre or, like me, curious to hear more, there’s going to be a whole night of Dungeon Synth on Saturday, August 22nd in the Beer Garden!

The headline will be Sombre Arcane.  You can find their music on all the usual music streaming services.  I’m listening to them right now, and based on my extensive knowledge of Dungeon Synth (I read some stuff on the Internet about 5 minutes before writing this newsletter) they sure sound like an excellent example of the genre.  They even had one track where I said to myself “This sounds like riding horses through the forest in medieval times” and then I looked down at my phone and the name of the song was “A Day’s March Through the Ancient Elven Forest”.  So I’d say this is a band that can capture a mood extremely well!

Editor’s note: Sombre Arcane is New England’s preeminent dark dungeon synth and fantasy ambient duo.

The opening acts for Sombre Arcane will be Greendeath and Mystic Realm.  The whole show kicks off at 6:00pm in the Beer Garden.  There is a suggested donation of $8 to the bands, but no one will be turned away for a lack of funds.

Saturday night promises to be the biggest musical event in the Beer Garden since the infamous Nest of Infection/Goblin/Karate Steve concert a few years ago!  Sombre Arcane will likely appeal to folks (again, like me) who fondly remember that concert, but their music is so much more approachable that I think it will appeal to many more people.  And I would guess there will be quite a few less complaints from the neighbors too!

So come on down to the Beer Garden on Saturday night for an evening of Dungeon Synth starting at 6:00pm.

FEATURED DRAUGHT

An Evening of Dungeon Synth Call for a Dark, Dark Beer!

I mean, you can drink whatever you want at Dungeon Synth night. But for me, I’ll be choosing the darkest beer Amory’s Tomb has on draught now, and that would be the darkest brown ale you will ever see: We Don’t Even Need a Reason.

This fantastic beer has been available for most of the summer, and if you haven’t given it a try yet you really should. The brown ale style can range all the way from watery and boring to full bodied and super-flavorful, and We Don’t Need a Reason is definitely the latter. It has a super roasted malt flavor. I get quite a bit of chocolate when I taste it, even though there’s no chocolate added to it. There’s also a bit of coffee as well, though that’s more subtle, and again is not the result of any coffee actually being added to the beer.

There’s one thing, though. It’s may be called a Brown Ale, and it sure tastes like a Brown Ale, but it definitely doesn’t look like a Brown Ale. Actually, it doesn’t look Brown at all, it looks black! Maybe if you hold it up right in front of a light you’ll see the brown in it, but otherwise it’s going to look black to you.

Editor’s note: This isn’t some Newcastle wannabe, its a rich American brown ale with deep chestnut hues. I digress.

Allen swears it is a Brown Ale, though, which led Justin and I to suggest he create a new t-shirt with the slogan “None More Brown” on the back. Allen has not acted on this suggestion yet for some reason.

The color may not be what you are used to seeing for brown ale, but it sure is perfect for consuming while listening to Dungeon Synth in the Beer Garden! Actually, it’s been a great one to drink all summer, and I would imagine it’ll only start to taste even better when (if??) the weather starts cooling off soon. If you haven’t had this one so far, I’d highly recommend giving We Don’t Even Need a Reason a try!

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Here’s what’s coming soon at Amory’s Tomb

• Aug 19 Wheat & Water Crafted Doughz

• Aug 22 An Evening of Dungeon Synth with Sombre Arcane, Greendeath and Mystic Realm.

• Sept 5 Assabet Craft Beer & Food Truck Fest - Stow, MA

See you at the concert!

Weekly Update 8/12/2026

Weekly Update August 12, 2026

Hello!  My name is Bob, and I used to appear in plays (it would be a stretch to say I “acted”) in high school and college.  As will become apparent below, those experiences with fictional dialogue qualify me to write this week’s Amory’s Tomb Newsletter!  

First, a quick heads up that the 11th Spirit of Hudson Brew Fest will be held on the afternoon of Saturday, August 15th.  The lineup this year is terrific, as it usually is.  Many of the breweries you’d expect at a festival in Hudson will be pouring, but there will also be a few that you will be less familiar with, including some that are pretty much new to the industry. 

As you might have guessed, Amory’s Tomb will be among the brewers pouring in Hudson on Saturday.  My personal tip is to head over the AT table when you get “hopped out” from all the different, and admittedly terrific, IPA’s you can taste from the other brewers.  One sample of whatever lager or farmhouse ale they are pouring will straighten your taste buds out!

I’ve been to the Spirit of Hudson festival a few times, and have always enjoyed it.  One time I even saw Justin (pre-Amory’s Tomb days) dressed as a solo cup!  He’ll be attending this year, and I wonder what he’ll look like this time.  There’s only one way to find out!  More information on the Spirit of Hudson fest can be found here:

https://spiritofhudson.com/

Speaking of Justin, on to this week’s updates:

FEATURED EMPLOYEE

Let’s Learn More About Justin!

Justin Suarez joined Amory’s Tomb last summer as its first - and so far only - employee.  It’d be hard to imagine a more perfect fit for Allen and Rick, and the whole Amory’s Tomb vibe in general, than Justin.  He’s become such an integral part of Amory’s Tomb that it is difficult to remember what it was like before he was there!

Justin’s a great guy to talk to in general, but he’s also sometimes really busy behind the bar pouring beers, mixing cocktails and distributing Bergs and Tubes.  So I thought I’d interview Justin for this newsletter to give everyone a more in-depth sense of what he’s like.  Justin graciously agreed to be interviewed: 

Me: Let’s start with what everyone is most curious about.  How long have you had a beard?

Justin: Uh, since I was 19.

Me: Yeah, ok you stopped shaving then, but like, how long has your beard been this amazing huge thing?

Justin:  I started to really grow it long over one winter when I was 26.

Me: I mean, it’s just huge.  Have you measured how long it is?

Justin:  Um, no, not really.  Maybe a foot or so?

Me: If you shaved your beard off, how much do you think it would weigh?  It’s got to be at least a pound, right?

Justin.  Uh, I don’t know.  I never really thought about it.  Are we going to talk about my background?

Me: Oh yes, right.  Sure, we’ll get to that.  How do you maintain your beard? I mean, I don’t have any beard let along that one so I’ve always wondered - do you have to shampoo it like hair?

Justin: Yes.  

Me: Do you have to comb it out every day to avoid tangles?

Justin: Not every day.  Don’t you want to hear about how I got involved in craft beer?

Bob: I sure do.  Do you use any product in your beard?  Aren’t there, like, beard oils, and do you use a particular brand?

Justin: Can’t we talk about something else?  Like how I met Allen and Rick?

Bob: Oh yeah, how did you meet Allen and Rick.  I bet they came up to you to tell you how much they admired your beard.  Was that it?

Justin: Well, no.  Actually, I was working at…

Bob: Oooh!  Sorry to interrupt, but have you ever gotten food stuck in your beard?  It must be hard to avoid that.

Justin: Ugh.

Bob: Has a bird ever accidentally flown into your beard?

Justin: That’s it!  I’m a man, not a beard!  [STARTS TO STORM OFF.}

Bob: Can I touch it?

Justin: ARRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!

OK, as you likely figured out, this interview didn’t really happen.  Justin is genuinely a great guy, though, and I’d suggest you to get to know him better next time you are in the Taproom.  

And his beard really is awesome.  He recently mentioned to me that he’s even competed in beard competitions!  I had no idea!  Ask him about it.  Just don’t touch it!  And remember, he’s not just a beard.  He’s a man! 

Anyway, if you are in the Taproom and you see a bunch of people holding tiny bottles and glasses of foam in their hands, now you’ll know what they are up to.  If you have never done one, I’d definitely recommend ordering a Berg and a Tube from Justin next time you are in the Taproom.  It’s fun!

FEATURED DRAUGHT

Have You Forgotten About Maynard’s ESB?

I was looking at the draught list recently. All the AT beers on draught are great, of course, but as I looked at the list I realized there’s one beer that’s been overshadowed recently - Maynard’s Extra Special Bitter.

Now, as I have written before, the Extra Special Bitter is not usually my favorite style of beer. I usually find ESB’s pretty boring. The name itself is so misleading, since most ESB’s are not “special”, let alone “extra special”, and certainly are not bitter. I mean, it has to be the most misleading beer category name there is, with the possible exception of “Imperial India Pale Ale.” (Seriously, I don’t think any historical emperors were drinking IPAs, and the “India” story is likely a myth anyway.)

Maynard’s ESB is not like those other nothing-ESB’s you find out there. In keeping with the style, it is not at all bitter. But unlike most beers of this style that I have had, Maynard ESB has a ton of malty flavor. Personally, I get strong tastes of toffee and caramel.

Maynard ESB was a mainstay of both the old taproom and Beer Garden Only era, and it continues to be regularly available in the new Taproom. Plus, the Maynard ESB can is my favorite AT can. That’s good ol’ Amory (not sure his factory workers called him this) himself right there on the can!

If a approachable, flavorful malty beer sounds like a good idea to you, stop in for a draught of Maynard ESB or take a 4-pack home!

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Here’s what’s coming soon at Amory’s Tomb

• Aug 15 Spirit of Hudson Fest - Hudson

• Aug 19 Wheat & Water Crafted Doughz

• Aug 22 An Evening of Dungeon Synth with Sombre Arcane, Greendeath and Mystic Realm.

See you at the Tomb!

Weekly Update 8/5/2026

Weekly Update August 5, 2026

Hello!  My name is Bob, and I just had another dental procedure to undo the dental procedure I had 6 weeks ago, which failed.  I sure could go for an In the Darkness of Shadows (the strongest beer AT has on draught at the moment) right about now!  But hey, at least I didn’t break my leg like multiple other Taproom regulars!  It’s the hot new trend you definitely do NOT want to get in on!

While I count my blessings, I am also writing this week’s Amory’s Tomb Newsletter!  It’s a special all-Underberg edition!

But before we get to that, a quick heads up that this Friday, August 7th, will see the return of MATTY B to the Beer Garden for the return of the Metrowest’s Only Open Air Dance Party!  Allen says MATTY B’s set will be “his usual hard hitting dance music”.  I’m not sure what that means, but who cares?  MATTY B’s sets are always great!  

On to the Underberg stuff:  

FEATURED DRAUGHT AND APERITIF COMBO

It’s Time To Have a Berg and a Tube!

Let’s start by explaining what exactly Underberg is.  It’s an herbal digestif from Germany, containing a blend of herbs from 43 different countries.  They’ve been making it for over 175 years!

Underberg comes in those tiny green bottles you’ve probably noticed hanging in the custom Underberg bandolier behind Justin at the cash register in the Taproom.   According to the Underberg website, Undeberg is good for you.  The website says it stimulates digestive enzymes, supports the gut microbiome, and eases bloating and indigestion.  

I’m not qualified to comment on whether or not Underberg has medicinal benefits, but I will say it sure tastes like a medicine!  To me, it has a strong licorice taste and is also quite bitter.  Some people actually like to drink it on its own, but I (and most people) need to mix it with something.

In the Beer Garden era, the hot game was “Will It Berg?” - dumping an Underberg into any AT beer and seeing if it tastes any good.  This resulted in bizarre concoctions such as Maynard’s Extra Special Berg, Under Latch and The Golden Berg, among others.  You can still play Will It Berg now if you are the daring type!  Just order an Underberg with your draft, dump it in and taste the unholy concoction!

But now that Amory’s Tomb has a Taproom, and in particular has a Lukr tap in that Taproom, there’s an even better way to have your Underberg - with a Mlíko Tube!  Mlíko is the Czech word for “milk”, and in this context means a glass entirely made of dense foam from the Lukr Tap!  

The “tube” is a 200ml glass, which is what you get with your Berg and a Tube.  You down the Underberg, and then you chug (which is not hard, since it’s all foam) the Mlíko tube.  The Mlíko definitely makes the Underberg go down more easily!

The best part is that if you are in the Taproom and ask for a Berg and a Tube, there’s a very good chance others will want to do one with you, and then Justin will set up a round of Bergs and Tubes.  Heck, if you happen to be sitting at the bar when someone orders a Berg and a Tube, it’s pretty much mandatory that you do one, too!  It’s a great way to meet new people in the Taproom!  

In addition to feeling your gut health improve right on the spot (maybe - note I am not a doctor), after you down your Berg and a Tube, try to guess the number contained on the inside of the green cap.  The numbers in the caps can be between 01 and 99, and if you can correctly guess your cap’s number without peeking, you win a small Underberg related prize.  I’ve actually guessed it correctly twice, which may be more of a commentary on how many Berg and a Tubes I’ve had than on my extra-sensory powers.  I got a cool Underberg postcard for my last one.

Check out this postcard:

Anyway, if you are in the Taproom and you see a bunch of people holding tiny bottles and glasses of foam in their hands, now you’ll know what they are up to.  If you have never done one, I’d definitely recommend ordering a Berg and a Tube from Justin next time you are in the Taproom.  It’s fun!

FEATURED “COCKTAILS”

Don’t Like Foam?  Order an Underberg Cocktail Instead!

Perhaps you, or a friend you’ve brought to Amory’s Tomb, likes the idea of maybe improving their digestion, but doesn’t like the idea of downing a beer - even in all-foam form - in order to do so.

May I suggest a cocktail with Underberg instead? Underberg cocktails are not on the printed menu (let’s face it, the printed menu should probably only be used as a rough guide of what is available anyway) but you can easily order one from Justin.

The most popular Underberg cocktail that I have seen consumed at the bar is a Superberg, which is an Underberg served with Super Classico soda, a somewhat bitter Italian soda that I am told mixes quite well with the Underberg.

If you really want to step things up, you can even order your Superberg with an imperial seltzer and a lime wedge to make an Imperial Superberg (similar to Amaro Soda)! Wow!

Now I do not recommend chugging that Imperial Superberg as one would chug a Mlíko Tube! This is for sipping and savoring, which honestly is probably better for your gut health anyway.

Either way, the next time you want an Underberg and don’t want a beer, try an Underberg cocktail!

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Here’s what’s coming soon at Amory’s Tomb

• Aug 5 Wheat & Water Crafted Doughz

• Aug 7 Friday Night Garden Party: MATTY B

• Aug 15 Spirit of Hudson Fest - Hudson

• Aug 19 Wheat & Water Crafted Doughz

• Aug 22 An Evening of Dungeon Synth with Sombre Arcane, Greendeath and Mystic Realm.

See you at the Tomb!

Weekly Update 7/29/2026

Weekly Update July 29, 2026

Hello! My name is Bob, and I learned a new animal fact today! In order to share this fact with you, I am writing this week’s Amory’s Tomb Newsletter!

Here’s what’s going on at the Taproom, Beer Garden…and Warehouse?

FEATURED UNINVITED CRITTER

Amory’s Tomb Has a Warehouse Visitor

You may or may not know that Allen and Rick keep their old equipment, supplies, extra beer (other than what is in the walk-in fridge next behind the Taproom bar) and empties in a separate warehouse at a publicly undisclosed location. Seriously, I don’t even know where it is, but I know it exists.

Well, we may not know where the warehouse actually is, but someone found it. Here’s a photo:

She’s even furrier than Justin!

In case you don’t recognize it, that’s an opossum. This brings me to my new animal fact. Did you know that possums and opossums are different animals? I always thought they were the same thing, but it turns out they are not! The only reason I know this is because I was doing an internet search for this newsletter to try to learn more possum facts and realized what Allen saw is actually an opossum which, to give him his due, is what Allen called it.

Possums are native to Australia, are generally (though not exclusively) herbivores and have thick, furry tails. Opossums, on the other hand, are native to North America, will eat just about anything and have hairless tails. There are other differences but I’ll stop here. This is a brewery newsletter so we don’t want to make it, like, educational!

Anyway, Allen discovered this critter in the warehouse last week. His theory - which I sure hope is incorrect, but makes sense - is that this opossum was getting ready to have babies. She may even have already had them because she was hissing at Allen!

Their landlord (also named Rick) did setup a Have-a-Heart trap, so by the time you read this she (and her babies?) may have been caught and released back into the wild.

EDITOR’S NOTE - These certainly are wily critters, and this one had experience with bait traps. Three times the opossum got the snack without setting it closed. Each morning I would anounce myself, and the opossum would pick up its head an look at me, then go back to napping in the loft. Thankfully our landlord was able to get it with a handling pole over the weekend, and remove her from the space. We did not find any babies, but will miss our mischievous new friend.

The appearance of an opossum in the warehouse does raise an interesting question. Those of you steeped in Amory’s Tomb lore know that dead birds have been appearing in buildings where Allen and Rick were brewing and storing their beer for years. A dead bird in the old taproom, after all, was the sign to Allen to start the Dead Sparrow Society, AT’s experimental beer subscription.

So what could the appearance of an Opossum (alive!) now in the warehouse possible mean? Could it be a signal that Allen and Rick should start working on expanding the Taproom? Maybe it’s a sign that it’s time to ramp up food service? Personally, I think the opossum sighting means that that it’s time to stop spelling it “d-r-a-u-g-h-t”!

Opossums are from North America, not Australia!

FEATURED DRAUGHT

Kettle Hole Makes It’s Triumphant Return

Kettle Hole was one of the original beers on tap on the first night in the old Taproom. It’s been a mainstay of the AT lineup since then, appearing multiple times in the old taproom and during the “Beer Garden Only” era. And now Kettle Hole makes its new Taproom debut!

Coming in at 4.7%, Kettle Hole is a crisp farmhouse blonde ale brewed with barley, rye and spelt, and “delicately hopped” (those are the official AT words, not mine!) with Czech Saab and American Loral hops. It’s fermented with the AT house yeast.

This beer is a terrific one for summer. It’s one of Allen and Rick’s lighter offerings yet, like any Amory Tomb beer, it comes packed with plenty of flavor.

If you bring a friend to the Beer Garden or Taproom who only likes to drink lagers, Kettle Hole is just about the perfect way to introduce them to more farmhouse-y styles. It does have a bit of that rustic taste to it, but it’s a mild one, and the beer is quite approachable for those unfamiliar with saison flavors.

Don’t just take my word for it. Kettle Hole is the reigning #3 Belgian Blonde in the state of Massachusetts according to Untappd! Wow!

Kettle Hole is available in draught and cans, of course, and is currently also available on cask in the Taproom. I haven’t had a chance to taste it on cask yet, but Allen says he thinks Kettle Hole will be a terrific beer for the cask. I have no idea why that would be, but I trust Allen when it comes to beer!

Enjoy Kettle Hole any way you want it now!

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Here’s what’s coming soon at Amory’s Tomb

• Aug 5 Wheat & Water Crafted Doughz

• Aug 15 Spirit of Hudson Fest - Hudson

• Aug 19 Wheat & Water Crafted Doughz

• Aug 22 An Evening of Dungeon Synth with Sombre Arcane, Greendeath and Mystic Realm.

See you at the Tomb!

Weekly Update 7/22/2026

Weekly Update July 22, 2026

Hello! My name is Bob, and I am suffering from soccer withdrawal syndrome! I walk around randomly yelling “Offsides!”, “That’s a yellow card” or “What is England thinking?” for no reason at all. As part of my withdrawal therapy, I am writing this week’s Amory’s Tomb Newsletter!

Before we get to the main update, a quick alert that Amory’s Tomb will be pouring in Westborough at Julio’s Liquors’ Summer Beer Fest this Saturday, July 25th, from 2:00 to 4:00pm.

Personally, I have a soft spot for Julio’s. I lived in Westborough 30+ years ago, and Julio’s was without question the place to go for what was then the best craft beer available. They even sold clear glass (!) growlers from some of the local breweries. There were many Fridays where I’d stop in on the way home from work to pick up a growler of Pilgrim Ale, brewed by Old Harbor Brewing Company in Hudson. Anybody remember those guys? (What do you mean I’m old? No I’m not! You’re old!)

Anyway, Julio’s still has an outstanding selection, and this looks like a really great event. The lineup is pretty bonkers - Julio’s carries a lot of great beer and cider brewers and it looks like many of them will be pouring, including Amory’s Tomb, of course. Tickets are $10, and details can be found at this link:

 Summer Beer Fest 

On to the rest of the goings-on at Amory’s Tomb:

FEATURED MERCH

It’s Not Soap, It’s Tinned Fish!

Have you walked from the back entrance to bar in the Taproom recently and noticed the display of colorful boxes in the merch area? If you have, I bet your first thought was the same as mine, “Why are Allen and Rick selling fancy soaps?”

The boxes are all different colors, and are the perfect size to contain a perfumed soap like you see in tourist-y gift shops across New England. Fortunately, they aren’t soap - they’re tinned fish!

Amory’s Tomb used to have tinned fish available in the old taproom, and I am so glad they’ve brought them back again. The tinned fish currently on offer come JOSÉ, a company from Portugal that specializes in tinned fish.

I bought a can of the Smoked Trout Fillets in Extra Virgin Olive Oil. It was terrific. The trout paired really well with a soft cheese on a cracker, and of course they go well with farmhouse ales too!

Here’s some of the other cans I am interested in:

• Cold Smoked Trout Fillets with Dill and Fennel

• Ventrusca Tuna in Olive Oil

• Octopus in Olive Oil with Garlic

Amory’s Tomb has others available, too. Really, I’d doubt you can go wrong with any of them.

If the taste isn’t convincing enough for you, consider the protein angle. Everybody knows protein is hot now - they somehow add it to seemingly everything. But instead of something weird like adding protein to the foam in your coffee, get your protein from a natural source - tinned fish! The can I bought contained 15 grams, which, according to the label, is 30% of your recommended daily value!

So stop in to the Taproom, peruse the selection, and buy a can of tinned fish. You’ll enjoy it. Just don’t use it as soap! You’ll be very disappointed!

FEATURED DRAUGHT

Youth is Fleeting - Enjoy It While You Can!

In this newsletter we’ve sometimes feature new releases, but we also want to use the newsletter to alert you when a popular release is about run out.

Back in April, shortly after the New England Real Ale Exhibition, a new stout appeared on draught - Stories of Our Youth - a British-inspired stout. This beer was a collaboration between Amory’s Tomb, Idle Hands Brewing and Hook Norton Brewing, who are from London.

The beer immediately caused a stir in the Taproom. It’s only 4.2%, but certainly packs a stout flavor (get it?) that one associates with beers at higher ABV’s. Stories of Our Youth is malty and roasty with hints of chocolate and maybe even coffee if it strikes you just right. The AT writeup describes it as “perfect for welcoming the warmer season”, and it sure was! The warmth has long since arrived, and this draught-only release is still one of the more popular beers in the Taproom.

If you, like me, have enjoyed Stories of Our Youth even more than you thought you would, consider this your warning. Justin told me that there are only one or two kegs of Stories of Our Youth left! At the pace it’s been going, it’ll only be a matter of weeks before it is gone!

And unlike many of the AT mainstays, the collaborative origin of Stories of Our Youth makes it unlikely that we’ll ever see this one again. Be sure to savor what may be your last glass (or plastic cup, if you take it out to the Beer Garden) of Stories of Our Youth while you still can!

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Here’s what’s coming soon at Amory’s Tomb

• July 23 Wurst Nacht

• July 25 Julio’s Summer Fest - Westborough

• Aug 15 Spirit of Hudson Fest - Hudson

See you at the Tomb!

Weekly Update 7/15/2026

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

Weekly Update 7/8/2026

WEEKLY ROUNDUP July 8, 2026 

Hello!  My name is Bob and tomorrow will be the 10th anniversary of my first day playing Pokemon Go!  Before you start snickering, I’ve seen others playing Pokemon Go on their phones in the Taproom, too!  So such an admission does not disqualify me from writing this week’s Amory’s Tomb Newsletter! 

Here’s what’s hot at the Tomb this week:

FEATURED EVENT

Asleep in a Box Back For a 3rd Time on July 10th! 

That’s right!  Friday July 10th will bring the return of “The Metrowest’s Only Open Air Dance Party” at Amory’s Tomb, and also the return of Asleep in a Box for a 3rd time this year to the Beer Garden!

For those of you who typically direct these newsletters to your spam, and are only reading this one because you are standing in line at the RMV and are really bored, Asleep in a Box is an electronic jam band.  Their setup itself is a sight to behold - wires going everywhere, at least 2 people hitting keys on their laptops, another person on a guitar.    

If you want to hear what an electronic jam band would sound like, or more specifically what Asleep in a Box sounds like, I would highly recommend you check them out on Apple Music.  

In June, Asleep in a Box dropped 2 hours of music entitled “05/02/26”.  Now I know some of you (perhaps those who think what comes out of the tap should be spelled “draught”) think that title means February 5, 2026.  Nope!  It’s actually May 2, 2026, which was the first time this year Asleep in a Box performed at an AT Friday Night Dance Party.  They’ve posted the entire set on Apple Music!  

And what a set it is!  I can personally attest that “05/02/26” makes an excellent soundtrack for riding the bike at the gym.  The music’s beat is at just the right speed to keep you moving, with lots of swirling and wooshing synths and guitar licks throughout.  

F or me, what really sets “05/02/26” apart from generic electronic music is the vaguely unsettling verbal samples that punctuate the music.  At one point some guy repeatedly intones “if you have a machine that can store billions of bits of information on a realtime basis”, which sounds not at all comforting.  Later, Arthur C. Clarke appears, describing a future where great apes, dolphins and whales will be smarter than humans.  He seems to be saying this is a good thing!  (To be fair, I assume he was speaking before the release of “Planet of the Apes.”) 

Anyway, check out “05/02/26” if you want some idea of what you’ll hear on Friday.

With Asleep in a Box coming back for a 3rd time this year, I think there is no question that they’ve ascended to “Amory’s Tomb House Band” status!  And how will they celebrate this prestigious designation on July 10th?  Allen says July 10th will be a “Tribute to John Williams”.  What on earth could that mean in the context of an electronic jam band?

There’s only one way to find out - get yourself down to the Beer Garden on Friday, July 10th for the Metrowest’s Only Open Air Dance Party with Asleep in a Box!  Should be a good time!

DRAUGHT UPDATE

Seltzer Cocktails!

Since the Taproom opened 7 months ago (!) I’ve been so busy gushing about all the new and returning beers that Allen and Rick have put on tap that I have neglected another offering that didn’t exist at AT before the new Taproom - Seltzer Cocktails!

Allen had talked about doing this during the Beer Garden-only era, but of course couldn’t really pull it off with only 4 outdoor taps.  Once inside, AT almost immediately began offering Hard Seltzer cocktails.   

The seltzer itself is clear, has little taste and an ABV of 15%.  You wouldn’t really want to drink it straight, and Amory’s Tomb doesn’t offer it straight anyway.  The cocktails, though, are a different story!  

There’s an astounding array of juices and bitters that Justin keeps hidden in the bar for use in creating seltzer cocktails.  Always on offer are Ginger Mules and Cranberry Lime Cape Codders, and these are made with homemade syrup!  Sometimes there are other offerings as well.  

I’ve tasted some of the cocktails and they are really good!  If you are under the very mistaken impression that all Justin can do is turn on and off a tap handle, order a cocktail watch him put it together.  There’s a lot that goes into making one of these, and you’ll taste it in the results.

Now, I am a beer guy.  Since you are subscribing to a brewery newsletter, I am guessing you are a beer person too.  Not everyone is, though.  We all know somebody who either doesn’t like the taste of beer or just thinks its too heavy.  And in the ungodly heat we’ve experienced lately, even people who enjoy a good draught beer might just want to drink something a bit lighter.

Well those folks are welcome at Amory’s Tomb too!  So bring your non-beer drinking friends to the Beer Garden or Taproom and order them a seltzer cocktail!   

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Here’s what’s coming soon at Amory’s Tomb

July 10 Friday Night Dance Party with Asleep in a Box July 25 Julio’s Summer Fest - Westborough

See you at the Tomb!