Sarah Real and Mike Dell'Aquila met in 2001 while working in the math department of a student bookstore on College Avenue while they were back in school. Soon they were meeting for beers at the venerable Zenos Pub in venerable State College—so often thatGenuine '03, '05 MA Zfilled out the "beer pass" on his Zenon and tasted 80 beers from all over the world. (Like others who filled out a pass, her name was engraved on a plaque mounted on the wall in the bar's back room.) It was at Zenon that they were introduced to the world of craft beer—a world that, according toDell'Aquila '04 Lib, opened their eyes to possibilities far beyond Yuengling and Natty Light student platter parties.
The couple fell in love with craft beer and each other. They were united by ethnic differences and multicultural upbringing. Dell'Aquila, an English major, is of Italian descent; when he was a child, his family moved from New Jersey to rural central Pennsylvania. Real's mother speaks Polish and his Mexican father's native language is Spanish. Although born in Los Angeles, Real grew up on the coast of New Hampshire before heading off to college, where she studied telecommunications as an undergraduate and earned a master's degree. Dell'Aquila's family serves lasagna for Thanksgiving dinner; Real learned to make tortillas from her abuela.
After graduating, the couple, who married in 2007, traveled the country. At some point during their trip, they popped into New Belgium Brewery in Fort Collins, Colorado, where Real realized she wanted to make a living brewing beer. She put that thought on hold, instead embarking on a career in business doing consumer research for companies like Nickelodeon, Turner Broadcasting and Viacom. Dell'Aquila has also put his education to use, working as a writer and creative director in a wide variety of industries from cable TV and retail to sustainability.
But beer "has always been a part of our lives," says Dell'Aquila. While Real traveled extensively for business, Dell'Aquila began experimenting with 1-liter beer kits in his apartment in Brooklyn, New York. He admits his success rate was "hit or miss", but that changed when Real took over the in-house brewing process. She got so good – and had so much fun – that they felt inspired to finally realize their dream. They kept their day jobs, but Dell'Aquila began working part-time at an award-winning home workshop in Brooklyn to learn more about the business. Real attended classes at the same store and focused on her recipes. She wasn't afraid to play with yeast or hops; she also willingly risked unusual taste experiences. For example, chamomile tea was something she loved to drink with her grandmother. Could she add the same herbal flowers to the beer? (Answer: Yes. Her pale chamomile ale, called Capable of Anything, is now a signature recipe.)
Around the same time, in 2017, inspectors found a violation in the couple's apartment building, prompting the city's building department to shut off the gas to the entire building. Determined to keep his dream alive — and now without a working oven — Real bought an $80 electric hotplate to continue brewing. This inexpensive Cuisinart unit has finally become more than just a tool for practicing your craft. "The hob is a symbol of our robustness and persistence," says Real. Their new routine consisted of taking hot showers at the gym, using heaters in the winter months, and—when the temperature was really cold—occasionally curling up in a hotel or Airbnb room.
Despite these living conditions, they persevered in their dream, making small batches of Real's recipes on a hot plate. Once the beer was bottled and ready to try, usually after a few weeks, they invited friends over for a "tasting". This happy cycle of brewing - and socializing - was a bright spot for the couple during a difficult time. It also enhanced Real's talent: its jalapeño pale ale, called Shred the Cello, was one of the beloved beers in their social circles. In the summer of 2018, they decided to try to make it work as a business.
But when Real, a Mexican-American and major brewer, looked around the craft beer industry, she didn't see herself represented. This observation is backed up by statistics: A study by the Brewers Association, a trade group, estimates that about 2% of breweries are owned by people of Hispanic or Latino origin, and fewer than women. "I didn't see myself in the brewhouse or behind the bar," says Real. Getting started in this business would be a challenge, but she wasn't afraid to tackle a male-dominated industry and its lack of diversity. She says she's always been independent and finds confidence in educating herself, whether it's the chemistry of the brewing process or her preferred types of hops in Pilsner.
Over time, she became comfortable in her role, thanks in part to the support of the Pink Boots Society, an organization for women working in the fermented beverage industry. "Now I feel strong enough to introduce myself as owner and brewer," says Real. Pink Boots has also provided her with an invaluable network of women in the beer community, as well as scholarships and career opportunities such as the opportunity to visit the world's largest hop grower in Yakima Valley, Washington in 2021. “Usually,” says Real, “it's just the guys who owner Sam Adams, who goes there to pick hops." Real was quickly recognized for its work, such as winning the 2021 New York City Homebrewers Guild's British Bitter Beer category.
Their hobby eventually outgrew the stovetop, which could only produce 2 1/2 gallons at a time. The couple were also getting tired of their living conditions – after more than three years, this 600 square meter apartment still had neither gas nor hot water. (When gyms closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, they bought a battery-powered "camp shower" to bathe at home.) So in May 2021, Real and Dell'Aquila decided to leave Brooklyn and go all-in on opening the brewery.
They moved to Pittsfield, Massachusetts, attracted by the potential of an old industrial town undergoing revitalization. Dell'Aquila was already familiar with the Berkshires and its outdoor charm after visiting the area for a writing workshop. Meanwhile, Real's expertise in market research helped pinpoint a promising downtown location: Pittsfield, about 20 miles south of Williams College, is densely populated and has a tight-knit community. "It's no different than State College," Dell'Aquila says. "It's a place where people want to start a family because it's cozy and affordable." The county has scientists, art, culture — and, they discovered, an underserved market ripe for a new craft brewery.
Last summer, they set about renovating a historic building in the city center and documented the entire process on Instagram. As construction of the seven-barrel brewery and taproom continued, the pair attended festivals, pop-up events and tastings throughout New England, pouring samples and making a name for themselves in the community. Real also accelerated his formal and academic education. She participated in the Brewery Association's mentoring program; studied at the University of Vermont to learn about the craft beer industry; and attended the World Brewing Academy's brewing technology course at the prestigious Siebel Institute of Technology, a Chicago-based business school and a pioneer in brewing education.
Since their move to Massachusetts, there have been many milestones to capture on Instagram (@hotplatebeer), such as the delivery of giant brewing equipment in August or the day they received their federal brewery license. When Hot Plate officially opened its doors in early February, the bar reached capacity within the first 25 minutes – and stayed that way for three hours.
The design of the Hot Plate bar is a bit unusual. The floor-to-ceiling windows let in plenty of natural light. The cheerful rainbow stripes seen in the Hot Plate logo are painted along the walls like a ribbon that unfolds into the room. While many conventional breweries tend to have an industrial aesthetic of heavy wood and galvanized steel, Real and Dell'Aquila have deliberately created a friendly, gender-neutral bar. "We want to bring people from all walks of life together," says Dell'Aquila. "We want to give them a space where they can be happy."
They also make sure everyone can sit at the table—literally—exceeding ADA requirements: part of the bar is wheelchair accessible, and there's other appropriate furniture throughout. "Very often in breweries, people with disabilities are not allowed to sit at the bar," says Dell'Aquila, inspired by Penn State literature professor Michael Bérubé's class on cultural studies and disability rights.
The bar contains 12 taps divided into three sections. In the first section, there are classic European styles (eg lagers, lagers, but cream) that are profitable to produce. Real and Dell'Aquila wanted to offer affordable options to make quality beer accessible to as many people as possible. "When we think about integration, we also think about socioeconomic strata," he says, acknowledging that not everyone can spend eight or nine dollars on a beer. By making these beers available, they hope no one gets priced out of the Hot Plate.
The middle part of the bar offers popular ones like New England IPAs and hazy pale ales. "What people are drinking now," says Real, "but it's still within our values." As for that last section, what she likes best is playing these taps — slightly different flavors that change with the seasons, like her jalapeño pale ale. "We can introduce people to something more than they're used to without going overboard," says Real.
One Touch has a special meaning for the Pittsfield area. This is called a "social line" and a local non-profit receives a portion of the proceeds from the sale of this faucet. This spring, for example, the Western Massachusetts Food Bank was selected as a recipient to help community members in need of food. "Some of our ideas for running this brewery are a little atypical of what the brewery does," says Dell'Aquila. "We set the tone to work in a slightly different way."
They may have just begun their journey, but the new bar is a daily reminder of their progress: an old hotplate from their tiny Brooklyn apartment is mounted on the wall, showing how far they've come.
FAQs
How many 5 oz of wine are in a glass? ›
In the United States, the standard serving is a 5 ounce glass of wine (or 147 mL). This means that the standard bottle holds five 5-ounce glasses of wine. A magnum bottle holds 10 glasses of wine. A double-magnum bottle holds 20 glasses of wine.
Do you really need to drink 64 ounces of water a day? ›The longstanding rumor is that humans need about 8 cups — or 64 fluid ounces — of water a day. But actually, as a general rule, Mayo Clinic shares that men should consume about 15.5 cups of fluids per day. For women, that number is 11.5 cups.
What is the correct amount of wine to pour? ›The standard pour of wine is 5 ounces. That applies to both white and red wines. And it may seem strange given the variation of glassware available for wine. But, for the vast majority of wines, it's 5 ounces.
What is the difference between white wine and red wine glasses? ›White wine glasses are generally smaller than red wine glasses. This shape preserves floral aromas and helps maintain a cooler temperature. Full-bodied whites like Chardonnay are served in a glass with a bowl that is smaller than a red wine glass but larger than a light-bodied white wine glass.
Is 5 oz of wine equivalent to one drink? ›A standard drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits, which contain the same amount of alcohol.
Is 5 ounces of wine considered 1 drink? ›In the United States, one "standard" drink (or one alcoholic drink equivalent) contains roughly 14 grams of pure alcohol, which is found in: 12 ounces of regular beer, which is usually about 5% alcohol. 5 ounces of wine, which is typically about 12% alcohol. 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits, which is about 40% alcohol.
What is the healthiest water to drink? ›Mineral, structured, and pure spring water are some of the healthiest water you can drink because they're clean and contain all the essential minerals your body needs. Filtered water removes contaminants but might also remove essential minerals.
Does tea count as water intake? ›The Eatwell Guide says we should drink 6 to 8 cups or glasses of fluid a day. Water, lower-fat milk and sugar-free drinks, including tea and coffee, all count.
Does 64 oz equal 8 glasses of water? ›Evidence for drinking 8 glasses of water each day
For someone eating a diet of 2,000 calories per day, this adds up to 2,000 ml (roughly 64 ounces), or eight 8-ounce glasses.
The standard drink
A standard drink is 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol. The picture below helps visualize how “one drink” looks across beverage types. Alcoholic drinks vary in types, sizes, and alcohol content.
How much wine is too much? ›
Experts say a a good maximum amount of wine for women would be a 5 oz glass of wine, and for men two 5 oz glasses of wine, no more than several times a week. Experts strongly advise women against having more than 3 drinks of wine per day, and for men, 4 drinks of wine per day.
How much is 6 ounces of wine? ›The standard drink size is 6 ounces (175 ml). If you decide to go by the bottle, you'll get about four glasses. That's the perfect standard bottle for dinner for two since you both get two drinks and an extra splash.
Which is healthier red or white wine? ›Which Wine Is Healthier? As per the studies and research conducted, red wine is healthier than white wine. Red wine can lower bad cholesterol levels and promote heart health. It is rich in antioxidants and reduces the risk of cancer.
Why do they only fill wine glasses halfway? ›Why Do You Never Fill a Wine Glass? The rule of thumb is white wines are filled ½ full, red wines are filled ⅓ full, and sparkling wines are filled ¾ full. The reason for these measurements is because red wines need room to breathe and aerate, white or sparkling wines don't need breathing room.
Why do customers taste a wine before it is served? ›The primary thing you are doing is tasting to make sure the wine is acceptable for your guests and specifically, if the wine is flawed. Now, you don't have to analyze if the tannins are in balance or if the winemaker had a heavy hand with the oak. You are simply tasting to see if there is a wet dog in your glass.
Which alcohol is least harmful to your liver? ›- Red Wine. ...
- Light Beer. ...
- Tequila. ...
- Gin & Rum & Vodka & Whiskey.
beer at 5% ABV and a 5 oz. glass of wine at 12% ABV. At these proportions, the average glass of wine is equal to the average can of beer. As we go into more detail about this below, this means that there are, typically, five beers' worth of alcohol in a bottle of wine.
Which is better for your stomach wine or beer? ›According to Purdy, the best alcohols for a sensitive stomach are those with lower alcohol and sugar contents, including: Light lager: These beers have fewer calories, plus a lower alcohol content. Dry red wine: These wines offer potential gut health benefits and have low residual sugar levels.
How many shots is 5 oz of wine? ›All things being considered, one 1.5 oz shot of liquor is equivalent to 5 oz of wine. Remember that red wine and white wine have different alcohol by volume levels. Most restaurants serve wine in a five or six ounce glass. In essence, one 1.5 oz shot equals a full glass of wine.
How many drinks a week is considered an alcoholic? ›Heavy Alcohol Use:
For men, consuming more than 4 drinks on any day or more than 14 drinks per week. For women, consuming more than 3 drinks on any day or more than 7 drinks per week.
Is a bottle of wine a day too much? ›
Drinking a bottle of wine a day may rapidly increase the likelihood of physical and chemical alcohol addiction developing. Drinking a bottle per day equates to approximately 9 units per day or 63 units per week, far in excess of UK NHS recommended guidelines (14 units per week)[1].
What is the best water for kidneys? ›Pure, naturally-filtered water is the best thing you can drink for good kidney health. And installing a cost-effective, energy-efficient, and convenient bottled water cooler can be the best way to get it.
What is the cleanest bottled water? ›Essentia claims to fit the bill, creating bottled water with an exceptionally high pH of 9.5, basically zero traces of acidity. The body itself is delicately smooth and extraordinarily clean. In fact, Essentia is 99.9% pure premium water, touting a balanced blend of minerals and electrolytes.
Is it safe to drink Rain water? ›Avoid using rainwater for drinking, cooking, brushing your teeth, or rinsing or watering plants that you intend to eat. Instead, use municipal tap water if it is available, or purchase bottled water for these purposes.
What hydrates better than water? ›Milk is more hydrating than water
For example, milk was found to be even more hydrating than plain water because it contains the sugar lactose, some protein and some fat, all of which help to slow the emptying of fluid from the stomach and keep hydration happening over a longer period.
In general, drinks with a higher alcohol content – think spirits such as vodka, gin, whiskey, and rum – are higher on the spectrum of alcohol content, making them more dehydrating per ounce than alcohols such as beer and wine.
What can I drink instead of water? ›- 11 ALTERNATIVES TO WATER. Back to the question, “How can I stay hydrated if I don't like the taste of plain water?” ...
- FLOWER TEAS. ...
- ADAPTOGEN/ADAPTOGENIC HERBAL TEA. ...
- ALTERNATIVE MILK. ...
- COCONUT WATER. ...
- FRUIT JUICES. ...
- VEGETABLE JUICES. ...
- SMOOTHIES.
Health experts commonly recommend eight 8-ounce glasses, which equals about 2 liters, or half a gallon a day. This is called the 8×8 rule and is very easy to remember. However, some experts believe that you need to sip on water constantly throughout the day, even when you're not thirsty.
Is it okay to drink a gallon of water a day? ›Can drinking a gallon of water a day be harmful? For most people, there is really no limit for daily water intake and a gallon a day is not harmful. But for those who have congestive heart failure or end stage kidney disease, sometimes water needs to be restricted because the body can't process it correctly.
How much water should I drink a day to lose weight? ›Bottom Line: According to the studies, 1–2 liters of water per day is enough to assist with weight loss, especially when consumed before meals.
What is considered heavy drinking? ›
What do you mean by heavy drinking? For men, heavy drinking is typically defined as consuming 15 drinks or more per week. For women, heavy drinking is typically defined as consuming 8 drinks or more per week.
Is a shot equal to one drink? ›One standard drink equals:
43 ml (1.5 oz) shot of 40% hard liquor (vodka, rum, whisky, gin etc.)
- Drink Coffee. Drinking a strong black coffee is sometimes suggested by helpful friends as a means of 'sobering up'. ...
- Take a cold shower. Standing under some cold water will shock your body into sobering up. ...
- Eat. ...
- Sleep. ...
- Exercise.
It is estimated that alcohol-related fatty liver disease develops in 90% of people who drink more than 40g of alcohol (or four units) per day. That's roughly the equivalent of two medium (175ml) glasses of 12% ABV wine, or less than two pints of regular strength (4% ABV) beer.
Is it OK to drink wine everyday? ›"What is certain about wine and other types of alcohol is that drinking beyond moderation has clear impacts on a person's health," warns Dr. Septimus. "Regularly drinking more wine than recommended increases a person's risk of developing cancer, liver disease, chronic pancreatitis, sleep disorders and more."
What happens to your body when you stop drinking wine? ›Over time, your body can begin to recover from the influence of alcohol, and you can expect: A healthier heart and cardiovascular system. Decreased risk of cancers. Fewer illnesses due to your immune system improving.
Is 2 bottles of wine a week too much? ›To keep health risks from alcohol to a low level if you drink most weeks: men and women are advised not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis. spread your drinking over 3 or more days if you regularly drink as much as 14 units a week.
How many glasses of wine per day is healthy? ›For healthy adults, that means: Up to one drink a day for women of all ages. Up to one drink a day for men older than age 65. Up to two drinks a day for men age 65 and younger.
Is a glass of wine 8 oz? ›A standard glass of wine is a single serving of wine, consisting of about 5 ounces or 150 ml. Depending on the type of wine you're drinking, the glass you choose can vary.
What wine is best for your heart? ›Pinot Noir is perhaps one of the most popular red wines on the market. It also happens to be the most beneficial to heart health out of all options on the list. This is because it offers the highest concentration of resveratrol.
What wine is healthiest? ›
Pinot Noir is rated as the healthiest wine because of the high levels of resveratrol. It is made of grapes with thin skin, has low sugar, fewer calories, and low alcohol content.
What type of wine has the least sugar? ›The amount of sugar in a bottle of wine can vary from 4 grams to 220 grams per litre. The lowest sugar wine is red wine. Red wine has the least amount of sugar which is 0.9g per 175ml glass.
Is it okay to refrigerate red wine? ›Just as you store open white wine in the refrigerator, you should refrigerate red wine after opening. Beware that more subtle red wines, like Pinot Noir, can start turning "flat" or taste less fruit-driven after a few days in the refrigerator.
Should white wine be refrigerated after being opened? ›Yes, you do refrigerate open bottles of wine. This is true for both red and white wines.
What do legs on a wine glass mean? ›What do wine legs tell you about the wine? The prominence of legs in a glass generally indicates higher alcohol content, and thus a richer texture and fuller body. That's why they're especially prominent in fortified wines and high-proof spirits.
What not to say at a wine tasting? ›Don't say: "The wine is heavy bodied with an aftertaste and it sticks to my teeth." So there you have it! Take a look, take a smell, take a taste and repeat as many times with as many wines as you (responsibly) can.
What to do when waiter brings bottle of wine? ›Give the cork back to the server and don't let it dance around the table during your meal. It should go generally like this: The bottle is presented. Upon approval the server or somm will open the bottle of wine and place the cork on the table or on a coaster.
Why does the waiter give you the cork? ›Today, the somm will present the bottle to verify it is what you ordered. She will go through the uncorking ritual, pour a slight amount for you to taste to ensure the wine is satisfactory. The cork is there to demonstrate the cork branding matches the label.
How many 5 oz drinks in a bottle of wine? ›Standard wine bottles contain 750 ml of wine. That's 25 fluid ounces, or 1.31 pints. Within one of these 750 ml bottles, it's generally accepted that there are five glasses of wine per bottle. This assumes you're drinking a standard serving size of 5 ounces.
How do you measure a 5 oz wine pour? ›The widest point of a glass tends to coincide with the five- to six-ounce mark (i.e., a standard serving). Using this invisible measuring stick makes serving wine to a crowd a cinch. You'll get the full five servings from every bottle, and over-pouring becomes history.
How long does it take to clear 5 oz of wine? ›
How Long Will It Take for Alcohol to Leave Your Body? The body generally processes approximately one standard drink per hour. If you have 5 standard drinks, it will take 5 hours for your body to process the alcohol.
Is a glass of wine 5 oz? ›A “standard pour” of wine is 5 fluid ounces per glass. So, a standard 750 ml bottle of wine would contain approximately 5 servings.
Is a shot glass 1 or 2 oz? ›The number of ounces in a shot glass depends on the size of the glass. Most shot glasses hold around 1.25 oz. to 1.5 oz., but there is no official standard size for a shot. Some shot glasses can be less than an ounce and others can be over 3 ounces, with the most common size being 1.5 oz.
How much is 1 shot? ›While there is no federally-mandated shot-glass size, many U.S. bartenders consider a standard volume to be 1.5 ounces, or 44 milliliters. (For what it's worth, Utah is the only state that has officially defined a shot measurement—and it's 1.5 ounces.)
Is a bottle of wine 4 or 5 glasses? ›Standard Bottle – A standard bottle of wine is 750ml, or 25 fluid ounces, and will net you about 5 glasses of wine.
How many ounces is a regular glass? ›A standard glass contains eight ounces. So, one gallon equals 16 eight ounce glasses of water.
How many Oz is a 5 count pour? ›The general rule of thumb is that every one count is equivalent to one-quarter of an ounce. Most drinks take 1.25 to 2 ounces. That means that to make a vodka soda with 1.25 ounces of liquor, the bartender should count to 5 before cutting off the alcohol.
How many ounces is a 5 second pour? ›| Time | Volume |
|---|---|
| .5 Second | 5 mL or ⅙ Oz |
| 1 Seconds | 10 mL or ⅓ Oz |
| 2 Seconds | 20 mL or ⅔ Oz |
| 3 Seconds | 30 mL or 1 Oz |
The technique involves counting out a two-second pour when dispensing a liquid into a glass. A two-second pour can be used to measure out a one-ounce and two-ounce portion. To measure out a one-ounce portion, the bartender will count to two while they are pouring. For a two-ounce pour, they will count to four.
How can I thicken my blood after drinking alcohol? ›You can thicken your blood after drinking alcohol by consuming foods that are high in vitamin K. Vitamin K is a fat-soluble nutrient that got its name from the German term “koagulation.”
How many ounces of wine before legally drunk? ›
Many people follow the "one drink an hour rule" to avoid going over the blood alcohol content of 0.08%. Essentially, the one drink per hour rule means that as long as someone only consumes 1¼ ounces of hard liquor, one beer, or one glass of wine and no more over the course of an hour, then they are safe to drive.
Can 6 oz of wine get you drunk? ›The limit before most people start feeling alcohol impairment is 2 glasses of wine for women and 3 glasses of wine for men. Keep in mind that it's about the size of those servings, too. A standard drink when it comes to wine is only 5 oz.