SOUTH DEERFIELD — Three decades in, things are still looking up at Berkshire Brewing Co.

As the region’s bustling brewery scene continues to grow, one of its mainstays is inviting the community to a celebration this weekend to say cheers to 30 years of Berkshire Brewing Co., which opened its doors in South Deerfield on Oct. 1, 1994.

With breweries seemingly popping up in every community, Berkshire Brewing Co. President and co-founder Gary Bogoff said the key to sustaining a local business, like his, is a consistently great product.

“When we started there were 500 breweries in the whole country, and now there’s over 10,000,” Bogoff said. “There’s a tremendous amount of competition, so quality and consistency are No. 1 in the beers. … We’re still trying to support the traditional mainstays, like the pilsners and Steel Rail; easy-drinking beers that people will enjoy.”

There are approximately 232 commercial breweries across Massachusetts and 205 taprooms, with 15-plus potential breweries getting ready to open their doors through the end of 2025, according to the Massachusetts Brewers Guild.

Berkshire Brewing Co. started as Bogoff’s hobby as a homebrewer, alongside fellow co-founder Chris Lalli. After meeting with former Franklin County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ann Hamilton and representatives from the Franklin County Community Development Corporation, who were impressed by the beer, Bogoff and Lalli developed their business plan and Hamilton helped guide them to 12 Railroad St. in South Deerfield.

“[Hamilton] spent a good six months helping us find a place to settle in and this was the place we found,” Bogoff recounted. “We’ve been here since the very beginning.”

In the three decades since, Berkshire Brewing Co. has put three additions onto its building and brewed a countless number of beers, which are sold in restaurants around the region and distributed to Rhode Island, Connecticut and New Hampshire.

Current Franklin County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jessye Deane said Berkshire Brewing Co. was “ahead of its time” when it was founded and the business has become a “cornerstone of Franklin County.”

“Gary Bogoff is widely regarded as the godfather of Franklin County’s craft beer scene. Known for his generosity and willingness to share his expertise, Gary has mentored many of our local brewers, leaving a lasting impact on the region’s craft beer community,” Deane said. “For three decades, BBC has exemplified excellence — not only in crafting high-quality beer but also in its dedication to supporting the community. Whether through local events, charities or initiatives, BBC has always been a steadfast partner.”

Bogoff said the brewery typically brews 35 to 40 different beers each year, with some being rotations of seasonal brews, as well as some “experimental stuff,” but nothing “too outlandish.”

After all these years of brewing and tasting beers, Bogoff has to have a favorite, right?

“The one I’m drinking,” Bogoff joked. “I like all of our beers. It depends on if I’m having it with a meal, if it’s summer, winter or fall.”

Bogoff has seen the company go from bottling beers by hand to a semi-automated process that sees them sending beer all over New England.

“Personally, I’m still very happy with my line of work and I’m very fortunate that I have my son working with me; he’s our head brewer and I have a nephew who’s also involved,” Bogoff said. “I’d like to see it go to the next generation. I’d like to tee it up for them so they have a good shot at it. I think they’re both very qualified guys and we have a fantastic crew of people that support the brewery.”

Make no mistake, though, even while he talks of a possible succession plan for the brewery, Bogoff, who just turned 71, is not done quite yet.

“There’s still plenty of work for me here,” he said. “I’m just trying to help out any way I can.”

30th anniversary party

To celebrate three decades, Bogoff and his crew are inviting folks to the Franklin County Fairgrounds on Saturday, Sept. 28, to celebrate “30 years of fun, sweat and beers.” The event kicks off at noon and will feature 19 of the brewery’s beers, as well as wine, cider and non-alcoholic options.

Along with Berkshire Brewing Co. products, food trucks will be on hand, as well as live music from Briezy Jane & the Hurricanes, The Lonesome Brothers, The James Montgomery Blues Band and Eilen Jewell.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at bit.ly/3U6bZhB. Tickets will also be available at the door.

“The mission statement is, ‘It’s all about the beer, but beer’s nothing without people,’” Bogoff said, “and that’s why we’re doing this — to say thank you to everyone who’s helped us along the way.”

For more information about Berkshire Brewing Co. or its 30th anniversary party, visit berkshire-brewing.com or the company’s Facebook page at facebook.com/berkshirebrewingcompany.

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com.