Brewery opens in Pittsfield

By M eg Britton-M eH liscH

PITTSFIELD — High on the wall of 1 School St. sits a well loved Cuisinart hot plate. Sarah Real says it’s the appliance that taught her you can’t make risotto on a hot plate — but really it’s so much more.

The slightly rusty kitchen gadget is the namesake for Pittsfield’s newest brewery — Hot Plate Brewing Co. — which recently opened its doors and has begun pouting pints for customers.

After months of renovating, brewing and stocking up before onlookers at the corner of School and North streets, owner Real and co-founder Michael Dell’Aquila say they’re excited to share the brewery with the community.

“For us it’s really exciting to open the doors,” Real said.

There’s a bit of panic that’s mixed in with that excitement. It’s the first brewery the couple has ever opened since starting their brewing journey in their Brooklyn apartment some six years ago.

Real admits that even before doors open she’s already broken a glass. But there’s mostly hope for the days ahead.

“We just hope that people are welcoming and are happy to have a place to be,” she added.

According to its website, the brewery is open from 4 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 4 to 11 p.m. Friday; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

INSIDE HOT PLATE

For months, Real and Del’Aquilla have put all their time outside their day jobs into creating a space that melds the familiari- ty of their hangouts with friends with a bit of the adventure they felt at discovering new brews in college.

Bright murals complement concert art from the couple’s past. A lounge in the center window features the couple’s first “adult purchase” — a West Elm couch that beckons passersby to drop in and take a load off.

The brewery’s tap list is divided into three sections. The first section is dedicated to classic European style beers. The second showcases currently popular brews like New England IPAs, and the third section is where Real said she gets to play around with her craft.

This section of the menu will be home to specialties like Real’s Egyptian camomile blonde ale and a habanero chocolate stout made from Mexican chocolate.

Along with the house brews, customers will find local ciders, seltzers and non-alcoholic beers on the menu. The brewery encourages customers to bring food into the space from their favorite downtown eatery — be it pizza, a sandwich or birthday cake.

Over the last year, Hot Plate Brewery has transformed from what one neighbor called a blank canvas into a bright spot in downtown Pittsfield.

Real said above all else she wanted the brewery to feel like a welcoming and inclusive space.

That desire went into the brewery’s design. A portion of the bar is ADA accessible — giving patrons in wheelchairs or motorized chairs the opportunity to roll up to the bar and order a drink with friends.

Real said the brewery will in-