I like to start off the new year with good news, and so despite having a mixed bag today, let’s begin with a positive bit of local news.
I mentioned in November that Drawing Board Brewing, which ended up closing its previous shop in December, was only moving its operations — not closing permanently. While the owners kept mum about the new location, they dropped several hints, and it turns out that the new brewery will be just a block down the road.
The brewery, formerly on the corner of Main and Chestnut Streets in the Florence section of Northampton, will now be located on the corner of Main and Maple Streets. (Some folks might recall the spot being the former home to Pizza Factory.)
Drawing Board actually created a special beer for the transition, coyly naming it Corner to Corner Pale Ale, with artwork of both Chestnut and Maple leaves on the label. I sampled it before the old location closed and it was fantastic. I hope they keep it in regular rotation. Stay tuned for news on when Drawing Board reopens.
In other, sadder local news, Wandering Star Craft Brewery in Pittsfield closed on New Year’s Eve after a run of almost 15 years. Owner Chris Post started as a home brewer and opened the brewery at 11 Gifford St. in 2011. I had a few of Wandering Star brews over the years, and they always were spot-on. Best of luck to whatever Post does next.
On the national front, but certainly germane to Massachusetts, the Brewers Association, a nonprofit trade group representing the nation’s 9,000-plus breweries, will be ramping up its efforts for its “Brews to Barns” initiative in 2026. The proposal is geared toward providing an excise tax credit to reward breweries for donating spent grain to the agricultural sector.
Many brewers already donate their spent grain to local farmers. This type of partnership reduces farm costs and keeps usable organic matter out of landfills, so it seems like a perfect fit. But the BA notes that a significant amount of spent grain is still wasted, often ending up in landfills where it contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
The initiative was inspired by a bill introduced in Texas and promoted by the Texas Craft Brewers Guild in 2025. Let’s hope Massachusetts, which has plenty of both farms and breweries, jumps on board with this win-win proposition.
And finally, zooming out to the international level, I am sad to report that Craig, the Kenyan elephant who served as an ambassador for the popular Kenyan lager brand called Tusker, died on Jan. 3.
Craig was believed to have been one of Africa’s largest male tuskers and died of natural causes at Amboseli National Park in southern Kenya, conservationists said.
“Craig had just turned 54 years old. He led a long life and no doubt fathered many calves,” said the Amboseli Trust for Elephants in a message. The Kenya Wildlife Service described Craig as an “icon” of successful conservation.
Let’s all raise a glass in memory of this pachyderm beer ambassador.
