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Nicole Simeone
Lost Shoe Brewing
Lost Shoe Brewing is probably one of the latest breweries to open in Massachusetts. Located in Marlborough, Mass, Lost Shoe is situated just off of Main Street. Inside is simply decorated. Using brick, stripped wood and mismatched leather sofas and chairs to set a laid back, rustic, yet comfy atmosphere. Their focus on Industrial materials plays into the community where they call home. Shoes and beer aren’t generally put together. Their name, and their logo, are callbacks to the bygone industry that once occupied Marlborough during the 19th century.
Many of Lost Shoe’s beer names are tied to the local community or shoe manufacturing. Their Dubbel and Tripel offerings are named Size 6 and Size 8, respectively. On my last trip to the brewery, I ordered the Size 8 because, well, I wasn’t driving, and we all know my soft spot for Belgians. There wasn’t much of a nose on this beverage, barely a hint of very mild pepper. The beer started with sweetness upfront. An almost apple cider taste that mellows into the yeasty banana flavor typical of Belgians. At ten percent and barely a hint of alcohol, this is a dangerously delicious beverage.
On the lighter side is The Great Trail (5.6%), so named for Route 20, which is a stone’s throw from the brewery. It’s a farmhouse ale, but lacking the barny tastes and smells. Fruity but not sour. They describe a hay-like flavor, but I get a subtle Belgian yeast flavor. It would be a great pick on a hot summer day.
From the Germanic section, I’ve had their Weissbier. Honestly, this could sneak its way into the Belgian section. CJ would have stuck her nose up in disgust of she had been with me. Pepper forward on the nose. Banana on the front and back end with clove mingling in between. The Weissbier had a light mouthfeel. In a word, crushable.
They also have an English section on their menu; however, I wasn’t feeling either of the available options at the time. The Downtown John Brown is named after the so-called second most famous bell in America. I had to look up why it was so renowned, having never heard a reference to it before walking into the Lost Shoe. Initially housed in West Virginia, the bell was moved to Marlborough at the beginning of the Civil War to keep it from falling into Confederate hands. This bell was intended to be used to signal to slaves near Harper’s Ferry that John Brown’s revolt had begun. Beer and learning… what better location for a Nerd Girl, right?
From the American offerings, I had the Crossroads of New England. So named because that’s basically what Marlborough is. The beverage is hazy with a fluffy head. A juicy, orangy bent for taste as one would expect from a New England IPA. I didn’t get the pine notes they described, but I was recovering from a cold at the time. Overall, very drinkable with a slightly sticky mouthfeel.
But let’s not stop there. This brewery isn’t a one-trick pony. They also offer patrons their own blends of coffee. Sadly, I can’t speak to their offerings as both times I have popped in, it hasn’t been the right time for a cup of coffee. Next time, I’ll time it just right so I can get a coffee flight and report back. Yep, you read that right. Coffee flights.
The ubiquitous pretzel is available for purchase in either sweet or salty. At this point, I feel like taprooms should be required to have them on deck and ready to go. Here at Lost Shoe, you can also order Belgian waffles and croissants. I can’t speak to the pretzel or the croissants, but the Belgian waffle was a treat. Still crisp even with whipped cream and chocolate sauce smothering it. Nom, nom, nom.
This place has skyrocketed to one of my favorite locations to visit. The creators of this space were considerate enough to out beer shelves in the bathrooms. Apparently, this is a thing, but I haven’t seen it. For someone who occasionally finds themselves waiting at a bar by themselves, that is super helpful. The chill, almost coffee house vibe of the place, even allowed me to pen the entire article from the comfort of one of their armchairs. Not something every brewery can boast. If you are in the area, stop by for a pint. Or coffee. You won’t be disappointed.
Cheers, Nerd Girls!
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