Ryan Cashman 

My fiancée Briana has a dream of one day running the Boston Marathon. She’s been a runner for years. It’s an exercise I loathe but she loves, once I can get her out the door. Someday soon, she’ll join thousands of other runners at the start line in Hopkinton and, once the starter pistol fires, follow Pheidippides’s example and run 26 miles to Boston. 

The Boston Marathon, along with being the oldest annual marathon in the world, has held a special place in the hearts of New Englanders since the bombings in 2013. It is a symbol of athletic strength, personal sedulity, and community. I look forward to the day when I can cheer on Briana as she crosses the finish line, exhausted but overcome with pride. No doubt after her run, she’ll be wanting a much-deserved beer in a few hours’ time. Since we pass through Hopkinton on our way home, it’d be foolish not to pick up some brews from the aptly named Start Line Brewing Co. 

Located at Water Fresh Farm, Start Line’s beers are brewed using hydroponic hops grown on site. Their symbol is a turtle, indicative of the old fable which showcases their commitment to taking time and effort to craft good beer.

We were introduced to Start Line just recently, on an evening when the weather forced us out of doors for a walk. On our way home, we stopped at our local package store in search of an evening refreshment. From the depths of the front cooler, a tall, honey gold can crested with a bumblebee caught our eyes: Honey Ritual Pale Ale. We were intrigued by the addition of locally-sourced honey to the ingredients list. Since we’d never sampled a beer brewed with honey – a surprising realization considering our various hoppy adventures – we eagerly bought a four-pack.

You needn’t expect and assault of sweetness. The beer is surprisingly crisp and dry. This fact is advertised on the can, but it caught us off guard nonetheless. A mildly hoppy start, citrus and floral notes struck the palate on the finish. Altogether, a satisfying beer. 

With warm weather on the forecast and another successful marathon in the books, the season of chilled refreshment has finally returned. And I can now endorse Honey Ritual Pale Ale as an accompaniment to a sunny day. Be advised, however: you needn’t run 26 miles to enjoy this beer.