Untold Brewery Reopens This Friday, With More Breathing Room

With the help of Bechtel Frank Erickson Architects, Untold Brewing will reopen its doors for the first time in over a year.

SCITUATE, MA | When breweries were told to shutter their doors, aside from takeout and delivery, to slow the spread of COVID-19, the initial measure was expected to last three weeks, not three months. As the phases, steps and new regulations rolled out - outdoor and indoor dining slowly returned - that is, if that establishment could follow the checklist of health and safety protocols. 

It didn’t take long for breweries like Untold Brewing in Scituate, Mass., to quickly work the numbers and realize that reopening for onsite consumption was just not possible. The quaint taproom - a renovated historic schoolhouse dating back to 1852 – has a capacity of 49, which also includes a small patio. The space only has one point of egress and the bathroom foot traffic also passes through the same area. 

“Pre-COVID, no one would have thought twice about passing strangers in a shared space, or being shoulder to shoulder on a patio in the sunshine. All that has changed,” says Matt Elder, Founder of Untold Brewing. “With social distancing not possible we kept the taproom closed and put all of our product into cans. That really helped us.” 

Small craft breweries sell the majority of their beer over the bar in their taprooms. This is also where breweries make the highest profit margin on their products. With restaurants sidelined alongside taprooms, keg sales were also down or nonexistent. With no sign of relief from Coronavirus, local architecture firm, Bechtel Frank Erickson Architects (BFE), located in Lexington, decided that they wanted to help one of their favorite industries during this difficult time. 

They launched a pro bono design competition through the Mass Brewers Guild to help brewers spatially conceptualize solutions to the challenges brought on by the pandemic and the restrictions imposed upon their businesses. A roundtable of brewing peers and design and construction professionals discussed the entries, and selected Untold Brewing as the winner. 

“The group deliberated and selected Untold Brewing because we felt the solutions, ideas and adaptations to their space could also apply to other breweries.” says Katie Stinchon, executive director of the Mass Brewers Guild. “Sharing the process and interventions with members might help more than one business. Ultimately, we want all of the state’s breweries up and running and I am excited to see the sketches jump off the page and get out there for a pint in real life.”  

The team at Bechtel Frank Erickson Architects offered two designs for Untold Brewing to consider. The brewery ultimately chose the less invasive option which involved very little disruption to brewing operations while creating new circulation paths by expanding their outdoor space. The designs open up the patio wall, add new customer walkways, and provides additional lawn seating. The architectural plan offered allowed the team at Untold Brewing Co. to immediately improve their outdoor space to make it a safer environment for our customers. 

“The major challenge to tackle for Untold, as with any brewery during Covid-19, is how to get guests to come out, feel safe, and to have a positive experience at a brewery again,” says Taylor Theriault, Architect at BFE. “As a result, we tried to give Untold the flexibility to adapt immediately, but also to incrementally implement a masterplan for their desire to expand in the future. The idea that any modifications should not just be reactionary, but a calculated step toward a future vision was imperative.” Overall, the team looked for areas of underutilized space and improved circulation patterns to better activate their spaces which hopefully will encourage people to come have a beer with a little more breathing room if desired. 

“The final plan presented far exceeded my expectations – it was a really fun process, and the drawings were beautiful. Having professionally drawn plans will be a huge asset as we begin to implement different elements of the design,” says Elder. “We can’t wait to have our neighbors, friends and family back in the taproom. It’s been a long year without our beer community in the taproom.” 

Untold Brewing is located at 6 Old Country Way in Scituate, Mass. and will re-open to the public on Friday May 7, 2021. Tentative taproom hours of operation will be: Thursday 3-8 p.,. Friday 3-9 p.m., Saturday 12-9 p.m., and Sunday 12-6 p.m.. The brewery remains open for beer-to-go only on Wednesday 12-7 p.m. For more information visit, untoldbrewing.com.

###

Massachusetts Breweries Are Reopening!

As Massachusetts breweries reopen we will continually update this list. Note that the breweries open for outdoor seating may be weather permitting. Check out our Know Before You Go post to learn what you can expect as you return to your favorite brewery.

67 Degrees Brewing
158 Grove St. Franklin, MA
Reopening date - June 19
Reservations needed? No

Aeronaut Brewing Co.
14 Tyler St. Somerville, MA
Reopening date - June 19
Reservations needed? Yes

Altruist Brewing Co.
559 Main Street, Unit 105, Sturbridge, MA
Reopening date - June 19
Reservations needed? No

Amherst Brewing Co.
10 University Drive in Amherst, MA - at The Hanger Pub & Grill
Opening date – June 10
Reservations needed?  Yes, call ahead (413) 253-4400 

Amory’s Tomb
76 Main Street, Maynard. MA
Opening date - July 17
Reservations needed? Yes

Backbeat Brewing Co.
31A Park St., Beverly, Massachusetts
Opening date – June 11
Reservations needed? No  

Bad Martha Farmers Brewery
876 E. Falmouth highway, East Falmouth MA      
Opening date – June 8
Reservations needed? No      

Barewolf Brewing Co.
12 Oakland St., Amesbury, MA
Opening date – June 12 
Reservations needed? No 

Barnstable Brewing
485 West Main Street, Hyannis MA   
Opening date - June 19
Reservations needed? No       

Bay State Brewing Co.
112 Harding St. Worcester, MA
Opening date – June 10 
Reservations needed? No, but call ahead recommended (774) 420-2233

BearMoose Brewing Co.
1934 Revere Beach Parkway, Everett, MA
Opening date - June 22
Reservations needed? No

Berkshire Brewing Co.
12 Railroad Street South Deerfield, MA
Opening date - July 9
Reservations needed? No

Black Hat Brew Works
25 Scotland Blvd., Bridgewater, MA
Opening date - June 13
Reservations needed? Yes

Bone Up Brewing Company
38 Norman Street, Everett, MA
Opening date - June 17
Reservations needed? No

Brato Brew House & Kitchen
190 North Beacon St., Brighton
Opening date – June 10
Reservations needed? Yes

Bright Ideas Brewing  
111 MASS MoCA Way, North Adams, MA      
Opening date - June 11
Reservations needed? No, but call ahead suggested (413) 346-4460

Bull Spit Brewing Company     
339 7 Bridge Rd Lancaster MA
Opening date – June 11         
Reservations needed? No, check in upon arrival

Buzzards Bay Brewing
218 Horseneck Rd, Westport, MA 02790       
Opening date - June 19, 2020 (tentative)
Reservations needed?  Yes    

Cambridge Brewing Company            
One Kendall Square, #100, Cambridge MA     
Opening date – June 8
Reservations needed? Yes      

Cape Cod Beer
1336 Phinneys Lane Hyannis MA  
Opening date - June 9 
Reservations needed? No 

Cold Harbor Brewing Co.
108 Milk St., Westborough, MA
Opening date – June 10 
Reservations needed? No 

Crue Brew Brewery
95 Ryan Dr #6, Raynham, MA
Opening date - June 12
Reservations needed? No

CraftRoots Brewing Co.
4 Industrial Rd., Milford MA
Opening date - June 12
Reservations needed? No

Distraction Brewing Co           
2 Belgrade Avenue, Roslindale, MA 02131    
Opening date – June 27
Reservations needed? Yes 

Dorchester Brewing Company            
1250 Massachusetts Ave., Dorchester MA    
Opening date – June 10         
Reservations needed? No

East Regiment Beer Co.
30 Church St. Salem, MA
Opening date - June 11
Reservations needed? No

Element Brewing & Distilling
16 Bridge St. Millers Falls MA
Opening date - June 12
Reservations needed? No

Essex County Brewing
58 Pulaski street Peabody MA
Opening date - July 2
Reservations needed? No

Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing Co.
81 Morton Street, Framingham, MA
Opening date - July 3
Reservations needed? No

FAB     
118 Beacon St Somerville, MA
Opening date – June 19 
Reservations needed? No, but call ahead suggested (857) 600-2337 

Faces Brewing Co.       
50 pleasant St. Malden ma       
Opening date – June 10 
Reservations needed? No

Fieldcrest Brewing Co.
2343 Boston Rd. Wilbraham, Massachusetts
Opening date – June 11 
Reservations needed? Call ahead recommended (413) 596-3632 

Flying Dreams Brewing Co.     
277 Main St., Marlborough, MA         
Opening date – June 11
Reservations needed? No      

Gardner Ale House     
74 Parker St, Gardner, MA
Opening date – June 8 
Reservations needed? Yes, call (978) 669-0122 

Greater Good Brew Co.          
55 Millbrook St  Floor 1, Worcester MA         
Opening date - June 10
Reservations needed? Yes      

Great Marsh Brewing Company 
99 Main St., Essex, MA
Opening date – June 10 
Reservations needed? No, but strongly recommended call, (978) 890-7827

Harpoon Brewery       
306 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA
Opening date – June 10, 2020           
Reservations needed? Yes, via Open Table        

Hitchcock Brewing Company
203 South Street Bernardston MA     
Opening date – June 19 (pending)
Reservations needed? No 

Hopsters Brewing Co. - Boston
51 Sleeper Street, Boston, MA
Opening date - July 19
Reservations needed? Recommended

Hopsters Brewing Co. - Newton
292 Centre Street, Newton, MA
Opening date - June 29
Reservations needed? No

Idle Hands Craft Ales
89 Commercial St, Malden, MA        
Opening date - June 12
Reservations needed? Yes       

Indie Ferm
127 Camelot Dr. Plymouth, MA
Opening date - July 21
Reservations needed? No

Ipswich Ale Brewery
2 Brewery Place, Ipswich, MA
Opening date - June 11
Reservations need? No

Iron Duke Brewing      
100 State St, Building 122, Ludlow, MA          
Opening date - June 20
Reservations needed? No 

Jack's Abby Craft Lagers         
100 Clinton St, Framingham, MA  
Opening date - June 17 
Reservations needed? Yes 

Lookout Farm Brewing & Cider Co.    
89 Pleasant Street South Natick, MA
Opening date - June 12
Reservations needed? Yes

Lord Hobo Brewing Company
5 Draper St, Woburn MA   
Opening date – June 13         
Reservations needed? Yes     

Lost Shoe Brewing & Roasting Company        
19 Weed Street, Marlborough MA       
Opening date – June 8
Reservations needed? Not required, but recommended via Table Agent   

Mayflower Brewing Company, LLC
12 Resnik Road, Plymouth, MA           
Opening date – June 12
Reservations needed? No 

Medusa Brewing Co. – downtown beer garden
1 Houghton St. Hudson, MA (behind T.C. Lando’s)
Opening date – June 11
Reservations needed? Yes 

Mighty Squirrel
411 Waverley Oaks Rd., Waltham, MA
Opening date - July 3
Reservations needed? Yes

Moby Dick Brewing
16 S. Water St. New Bedford, MA     
Opening date – June 8 
Reservations needed?  Yes, via Open Table or call ahead, (774) 202-6961 

Navigation Brewing Co.
122 Western Ave. Lowell, MA
Opening date – June 11 
Reservations needed? No  

Night Shift
87 Santilli HWY Everett, MA
Opening date - June 12
Reservations needed? No - but recommended

Night Shift - Love Joy Wharf
1 Lovejoy Wharf #101, Boston, MA 02114
Opening date - June 12
Reservations needed? Yes

Notch
283 Rear, 283 Derby St, Salem, MA
Opening date – late June
Reservations needed? No       

Oakholm Brewing Company 80 Lake Road Brookfield, MA
Opening date – June 12
Reservations needed? No 

Oak & Iron Brewing Co
18 Red Spring Rd  Andover MA          
Opening date - June 11
Reservations needed? No 

Old Colony Brewing
605 Bedford St. Whitman, MA
Opening - June 13
Reservations needed? No

Outlook Farm Brewery           
136 Main Road, Westhampton, MA  
Reopening date - June 12
Reservations needed? No       

Percival Brewing Co.
83 Morse Street, Norwood MA
Reopening date - June 24
Reservations needed? No

Provincetown Brewing Co.
141 Bradford St., Provincetown, MA 02657   
Opening date - June 11
Reservations needed? No       

Remnant Brewing       
2 Bow Market Way, Somerville MA 02143    
Opening date – June 11
Reservations needed? Not required, but recommended via Table Agent 

River Styx Brewing      
166 BOULDER DRIVE, suite 112, Fitchburg, MA 01420          
Opening date -  June 12 
Reservations needed? No

Riverwalk Brewing Co
40 Parker Street Newburyport           
Opening date - June 13
Reservations needed? Yes 

Seven Saws Brewing
1148 Main St., Holden, MA
Opening date - June 12
Reservations needed? No

Shovel Town
50 Oliver St, North Easton, MA 02356
Opening date - June 12
Reservations needed? No

Skyline Beer Company 
98 Southwick Rd., Westfield, MA
Opening date – June 9
Reservations needed? No, but call ahead suggested (413) 378-3333 

Skyroc Brewing Co.
11 Riverbank Rd. Attleboro, MA
Opening date - June 25
Reservations needed? No

Start Line Brewing Co.
151R Hayden Rowe St., Hopkinton, MA
Opening date – June 11 
Reservations needed? Recommended, call (508) 258-7200

Stone Cow Brewery
500 West Street, Barre, MA   
Opening date - June 12          
Reservations needed? No 

Timberyard Brewing
555 East Main Street, East Brookfield            
Opening date - June 13          
Reservations needed? Yes, via Open Table 

Trillium Fort Point
50 Thomson Pl., Boston, MA
Opening date – June 12 
Reservations needed? Yes

True North Ale Company
116 County Rd.  Ipswich, MA 01938   
Opening date – June 16 
Reservations needed? No  

Turtle Swamp Brewing Co.
3377 Washington St., Jamaica Plain, MA
Opening date - June 17
Reservations needed? Yes. Call, 617-522-0030

Two Weeks Notice Brewing   
110 Bosworth St, West Springfield, MA        
Opening date - June 10 
Reservations needed? No            

Seven Saws Brewing Co.
1148 Main Street, Holden, MA
Opening date - June 13
Reservations need? No

Start Line Brewing      
151R Hayden Rowe Hopkinton, MA     
Opening date – June 11 
Reservations needed? Yes, call during business hours (508) 258-7200   

Stone Cow Brewery
500 West Street, Barre, MA  
Opening date - June 12
Reservations needed? No

Wachusett Brew Woods               
175 State Road E. Westminster, MA              
Opening date - June 8
Reservations needed? No                     

Widowmaker Beer Garden
29 Hancock St., Quincy, MA
Opening date - June 17
Reservations needed? No

Wormtown Brewery   
72 Shrewsbury Street, Worcester MA 01604
Opening date – June 11 
Reservations needed? No, but call ahead recommended (774) 239-1555  

Wormtown Brewery – Patriot Place
Patriot Place - 250 Patriot Place, Foxborough MA 02035      
Opening date – June 11 
Reservations needed? No, but call ahead recommended (774) 215-5403