Mighty Squirrel, Haynes Group, Inc., and Phase Zero Design Celebrate Another Mighty Moment

The secret is out, another Mighty Squirrel location is coming, this time in the heart of Boston!

“We are thrilled to announce that we are building a brewery and taproom in the Fenway Neighborhood of Boston at 1 David Ortiz Drive, steps from Fenway Park,” said Naveen Pawar, the Co-Founder of Mighty Squirrel.

“Being situated in the heart of the Fenway neighborhood, right next to Fenway Park, gives this brewery a unique and animated location,” Olivia Harris, Senior Interior Designer at Phase Zero Design said. “It allows visitors to immerse themselves in the vibrant energy of the area and creates a sense of connection to the local community and its sporting traditions.”

Haynes Group, Inc. recently broke ground on this project and will once again be managing construction with Phase Zero Design again taking the lead on design.

“Much like the Waltham location, the design of the latest taproom is focused on the beer enthusiast experience,” said Patrick Andrews, Senior Vice President of Hospitality at Haynes Group, Inc. “The design of this location allows patrons to enjoy craft beer while viewing the entire brewing process, front and center, from almost every vantage point of the brewery.”

The new brewery and taproom will have the ability to brew over 1,000 barrels of beer with a 10-barrel brewhouse, allowing them to get creative with small scale batches of new beer styles. Also unique from their original location, this 13,000 square foot multi-level facility will offer a full food program with the addition of a kitchen.

“The main difference between both locations is the construction of a second-level taproom area,” Andrews said. “The second-level taproom will include three bars, each with different design elements creating a unique experience for the community.”

“The brewery emphasizes its commitment to artisanal craft and the art of brewing. From the focus on design details to the brewing process itself, every aspect was crafted with care and attention to quality,” Harris said. “This dedication to craftsmanship sets the brewery apart from others and creates a distinct experience for visitors. Patrons get to be a part of this experience as they enjoy their beers while watching the brewery process unfold right in front of their eyes, with the functional brew deck at the heart of the space.”

This location offers a refreshed take on their original space while remaining true to their brand. “It was important for the design to connect to their flagship location in Waltham,” said Harris. “Phase Zero maintained that connection with a similar industrial feel, avoiding any frills or fancy elements. We tied in key finishes and pops of color used in Waltham such as their signature hickory wood and Cloud Candy Blue paint placed strategically throughout the dynamic linear space.”

PATHWAY DEVENS DEVELOPER SEEKS BREWERY FOR NEW TAPROOM

King Street to provide turnkey move-in ready space
for brewery to open Q1 2024

Devens, MA (June 21, 2023) – King Street Properties (“King Street”) announced today that they are seeking a brewery for a new taproom at its Pathway development, a thriving 45-acre multi- tenant campus in Devens, Massachusetts.

Pathway Devens is a five building, 700,000 square foot state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing campus that will start welcoming employees in the first half of 2024. This campus sits within the larger Devens community that employs over 10,000 people on a daily basis, making it an ideal location for a brewery to expand its footprint northwest of Boston. Devens boasts a thriving mix of commercial, residential, and recreational areas including parks, trails and golf courses and a portion of Devens is also still home to an active military reserve base.

Over half of King Street’s campus has already been delivered and phase 2 of the development is currently under construction, including the 8,300 SF amenity center and taproom. King Street has committed to a turnkey delivery of the taproom build-out and the space will be ready for occupancy in Q1 of 2024. The superior onsite amenities include a fitness center, lounge area, game room, cafe and taproom that will serve the campus workforce and the surrounding community with the food & beverage program. The amenity center will be a ‘third space,’ a place where employees in the area can work, socialize, eat and drink in a relaxing environment.

“This taproom will add a much-needed destination where those who work and live in Devens and the surrounding area can gather, dine, and spend time,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Dan Rivera. “MassDevelopment has worked to redevelop Devens into a thriving —

mixed-use community that is now home to more than 950 residents, 100 businesses and organizations, ample open space, and a range of recreational activities. Bringing a brewery to Devens will complement this community feel and further our efforts to create jobs and vibrancy here – we applaud King Street Properties for making this a part of its Pathway campus.”

“We have a track record of incorporating successful F&B experiences into campuses for both tenants and the surrounding community,” said Tyson Reynoso, Managing Director & Partner, King Street Properties.

“This is an amazing opportunity for a strong brewery partner given that the area is currently underserved by breweries and because there are 28,000 people within a five-mile radius on any given day.”

About King Street Properties, LLC
King Street is a private real estate investment management firm focused on servicing the complex needs of science-based companies and institutions. Headquartered in Boston, King Street’s assets are located in core research hubs including Greater Boston, New York, the Research Triangle in North Carolina, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area. With 3 million square feet of stabilized assets under ownership and management and 4.5 million square feet in development, King Street is highly experienced in the development and operation of best-in-class life science research and development space and biomanufacturing & pharmaceutical buildings, serving as a trusted partner for companies that develop lifesaving drugs and therapies, medical devices, and companies harnessing renewable materials.

MBG Leaders See Plenty of Opportunity for Growth

President Adam Romanow and Vice President JP Gallagher discuss the latest priorities and plans of the Massachusetts Brewers Guild

In their roles as President and Vice President of the Massachusetts Brewers Guild, two industry leaders with varied experience are eager to support fellow business owners — and their sights are set on growth. 

Adam Romanow, founder and CEO of Castle Island Brewing Company in Norwood and South Boston; and JP Gallagher, co-owner and head brewer at Lost Shoe Brewing & Roasting Company in Marlborough, are the newest board officers of the state’s membership-based trade association. The Mass Brewers Guild works to protect and promote the interests of craft brewers through legislative influence and professional development.

Romanow, who has served on the MBG board since 2018 and was previously Treasurer and VP, was appointed by the board in February 2023 as President for a two-year term. Gallagher, whose business opened in 2019, was a MBG board member for two years before being elected Vice President. 

Following the historic victory to reform Massachusetts franchise laws in 2021 as well as the MBG’s successful efforts last year to continue pandemic-era programs that benefit the beer industry, the Guild has two new legislative priorities, Romanow says. 

First, the Guild is advocating for craft brewers to be allowed to sell their products at farmers markets. Currently, Massachusetts liquor laws allow only wineries and cideries to sell alcohol in this setting. “We're looking to bring a little bit of parity to the alcohol space, because we've heard from a lot of our member brewers that they would like to be able to sell their beer to go at farmers markets,” Romanow says.

Another legislative priority of the MBG involves changing a law against self-distribution for brewpubs. The Commonwealth currently requires brewpubs to go through a distributor to sell their products off-site, either for on-premise consumption or off premise. If passed, the bill promoted by the Guild would allow for licensed brewpubs to self-distribute a limited amount of beer, Romanow explains, “to take care of those situations where it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to sell your beer to someone else only to buy it back yourself, or to have it travel 50 miles in each direction to go to a neighboring restaurant.” Brewpub licensees constitute a fairly small number of Mass. license holders, Romanow notes, yet changing this law is crucial for many of them. 

Key to supporting both efforts, Gallagher agrees, is to meet with local legislators “to make sure that they know what our priorities are.” Gallagher currently serves on the Guild’s Government Affairs Committee, as well as its Membership and Marketing committees. Communication is at the heart of all of the goals he has for his role as Guild Vice President. 

“A big reason why I wanted to run for a board seat was because of how much the MBG has helped us as a small business,” Gallagher says. Lost Shoe has “valued the support that we've been given through the MBG. I want to make sure that other breweries in Mass. can benefit from that as well.” He hopes to increase membership to the Guild, which currently counts 130 breweries among its ranks out of 230 operating in the state. 

Supporting breweries’ efforts to become more diverse and inclusive places to work is important to the Guild’s board members. “That will help our growth as an industry,” Gallagher says. “You need diversity.”

In terms of marketing priorities, the board is collaborating with MBG Executive Director Katie Stinchon to streamline communications for both its members and consumers. Gallagher would also like to plan and execute more “membership tours,” during which board members visit fellow MBG breweries to gain insight into specific challenges and successes. “We do surveys throughout the year, but sitting down and having conversations directly with other breweries was super beneficial to understanding what some of the pain points are that our members are facing, so that we can better support them,” Gallagher says.

For Romanow, the next couple of years present “a lot of opportunity” for the MBG and its members. The craft beer market itself is trending downward, he notes, with more brands vying for less shelf space. “The Guild has a real opportunity, if not obligation, to be there to support our members through mentorship, knowledge sharing, and really helping them navigate a lot of the hurdles that are going to be coming,” Romanow says. MBG leaders are also positioned to assist and advise breweries dealing with growing pains related to sales and distribution issues, and matters of human resources.

The Mass Brewers Guild hosts quarterly membership meetings as well as other networking opportunities and events throughout the year. Romanow says there’s a need for more, like offering formal peer mentoring or more frequent roundtable discussions to members.

There is currently a vacancy on the nine-member Board of Directors. To learn more about what the role involves, check out this blog post. To set up an interview or to learn more, email the executive director. ​​Ideal candidates are already involved in the organization by regularly attending meetings, participating in the MBG’s festivals and fundraisers, and being visible members of the community. It’s important for the board to see a strong commitment from individuals wishing to join the leadership team.

Beyond volunteering to serve, member breweries can support the board in numerous ways. Throughout the year, there are opportunities to participate on action committees, volunteer at MBG festivals and events, and get the word out about legislative efforts. Feedback of any kind is always welcome, Romanow says. “We want to make sure that we're focusing on the items that matter most to our members,” he says. 

To learn more about the Mass Brewers Guild’s membership opportunities, programs, fundraisers and beer festivals, visit www.MassBrewersGuild.org.

MUSIC MATTERS: NEW STUDY CONFIRMS CONSUMERS EAT, DRINK & SPEND MORE WHEN LISTENING TO THEIR FAVORITE MUSIC

 (New York, NY- April 2023) A recent study by BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) and NRG (National Research Group) confirms that music positively impacts the way consumers interact with local eating and drinking establishments. According to the findings, bars and restaurants that feature live music have customers who eat, drink and spend more when listening to music they enjoy, resulting in higher revenues for many business owners.

Out of the 1,000 nationally represented U.S. consumers1 surveyed across age demographics 21+, atmosphere and music are a big part of what keeps them returning to the establishments that they frequent. When taking a closer look at the data, specifically the responses of Millennials, music is the second most important feature they consider when selecting a bar or restaurant. In fact, it’s something they actively seek with more than half of respondents reporting that they often check the establishment’s website to see if they have live music before choosing where to go.

Music not only drives consumer traffic, but it also has the potential to increase revenue. The survey found that nearly 80% would stay longer if good music was playing, with close to 60% stating that they would buy more food and drinks to continue listening to music that they enjoy. That stat is even higher for Millennials at 70%.

Other findings show that music makes memories, and it has the potential to make or break the customer experience. Eighty-six percent of all those surveyed said that good music at a bar or restaurant creates a more memorable experience, with 89% of Millennials agreeing. Across the board, the younger generations show that music is an important part of the dining experience, with 84% of Gen Z and Millennials noting they are more likely to stay at a bar or restaurant with good music. If the music isn’t right, however, one out of two patrons said they would leave an establishment.

Live music also has very tangible benefits for consumers and businesses by creating ambiance and bringing people together while helping bars and restaurant owners differentiate themselves from competitors. Eighty-two percent said that their experience is more enjoyable with live music and noted that the type of music played tells a lot about the establishment, including helping to establish its brand. People were also more likely to wait for a table and grab a drink at the bar if live music was playing to keep them entertained with 81% of those surveyed saying they’d wait 20 minutes. That number rose to 87% when you just look at how Millennials responded, and 80% of that demographic would also pay for a two-drink minimum to hear live music.

In addition to consumers, restaurant owners and managers were also interviewed, sharing that they saw a clear boost in revenue on the nights that featured live music. An owner with breweries in Colorado and Utah confirmed that customers stay longer and spend more money when a band or DJ performs, commenting, “check averages tend to go up 5-10% … and revenues have jumped almost 25% on the nights that we have live music.” The owner of a family Italian restaurant in Atlanta, GA agreed, noting, “Without the [live] music we didn’t have the linger time, we would close sometimes at 9 o’clock. With the live music, we could push one o’clock in a bedroom community. There were more liquor sales, and that’s a 75% profit margin.”

For the complete consumer survey, click here and for more information on how to obtain a BMI music license please visit www.bmi.com/ede. 

1 A quantitative online survey among 1,000 nationally representative people age 21+ who regularly visit EDEs (at least 3x per month). To represent the B2B perspective, NRG conducted six in-depth-interviews with owners, operators and managers of bars and restaurants.

ABOUT BMI:

Celebrating over 80 years of service to songwriters, composers, music publishers and businesses, Broadcast Music, Inc.® (BMI®) is a global leader in music rights management, serving as an advocate for the value of music. BMI represents the public performance rights in over 20.6 million musical works created and owned by more than 1.3 million songwriters, composers, and music publishers. The Company negotiates music license agreements and distributes the fees it generates as royalties to its affiliated writers and publishers when their songs are performed in public. In 1939, BMI created a groundbreaking open-door policy becoming the only performing rights organization to welcome and represent the creators of blues, jazz, country, and American roots music. Today, the musical compositions in BMI’s repertoire, from chart toppers to perennial favorites, span all genres of music and are consistently among the most-performed hits of the year. For additional information and the latest BMI news, visit bmi.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @BMI or stay connected through Broadcast Music, Inc.‘s Facebook page. Sign up for BMI’s The Weekly™ and receive our e-newsletter every week to stay up to date on all things music.

MEDIA CONTACTS: 

Gabriella Natali                Jodie Thomas
212.220.3141                    212-220-3142
gnatali@bmi.com             jthomas@bmi.com

New Program Aimed At Spurring Community Investment in Massachusetts Craft Breweries

MAINVEST AND MASSACHUSETTS BREWERS GUILD ANNOUNCE THE LAUNCH OF “INVESTING IN MASSACHUSETTS CRAFT BREWERS” A LOCALIZED PROGRAM ALLOWING INDIVIDUALS TO INVEST AS LITTLE AS $100 DIRECTLY INTO OUR BURGEONING CRAFT BREWING SCENE.

The Mass Brewers Guild, the state’s trade association that exists to protect and promote the interests of Massachusetts craft breweries, has partnered with Mainvest, a Salem-based investment platform enabling small businesses to harness community investment to fuel their growth, to launch “Investing in Massachusetts Craft Brewers,” a program to enable individuals of any income level to become investors in the growing Massachusetts craft beer community.

“Owning, operating and growing a successful craft brewery takes capital -- funds that can be difficult to come by in today’s tight lending market,” says Katie Stinchon, executive director of the Mass Brewers Guild. “Mainvest has helped several of our state’s breweries get up and running so they can help revitalize downtown areas, employ locals and drive traffic and tourism to our state. We are excited about our new partners in this space and the support local investors can provide to aid these small business owners in fulfilling their dreams.” 

Over the past five years Mainvest has helped over 350 small businesses, and over 50 craft breweries, across America access capital to maintain and grow their small businesses, providing local communities with great food, good beer, local jobs, local wealth building opportunities and spaces that support and build community. Through Mainvest’s innovative platform, they allow anyone to become an investor in their community, investing with as little as $100 in local businesses and real estate offerings, strengthening the connection people have to their small businesses while providing capital on friendly terms to local entrepreneurs. 

“Massachusetts Craft Breweries have become a major force in local economic development, job creation and community building,” said Jonathan Berk, Mainvest’s VP of Growth and Partnerships. “We’re thrilled to be able to work with Massachusetts Brewers Guild to provide individuals across Massachusetts the opportunity to invest directly in their favorite local breweries while providing area breweries with this new opportunity to access the capital they need to sustain and grow their operations locally.”

Anyone interested in raising funds for their brewery or signing up to be alerted of new investment opportunities in Massachusetts breweries can sign up on the “Investing in Massachusetts Craft Brewers” landing page (mainvset.com/massbrew).

An explainer video from a recent webinar can be found below:

Here’s how Massachusetts breweries are going green

The MBG and the Eco-Friendly Beer Drinker support sustainability efforts with a two-year grant from the EPA.

Rob Vandenabeele lives every day like it’s Earth Day. 

Cofounder of the local blog Mass. Brew Bros. and a longtime public school teacher, Vandenabeele has combined his love for craft beer and the environment in a new way. After earning a certificate in Sustainability from Harvard Extension School, Vandenabeele—aka the Eco-Friendly Beer Drinker—is now the field manager of a grant-funded program helping Massachusetts breweries prevent waste and reduce their energy usage, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Brewers Guild and UMass Boston’s Center for Sustainable Enterprise and Regional Competitiveness.

Since October, Vandenabeele has visited 19 Bay State breweries and counting, to show small businesses how they can become greener—and save money in the process. Thanks to a Pollution Prevention Grant funded by the Environmental Protection Agency, Vandenabeele’s expertise is available to any Massachusetts brewery for at least the next 18 months, at no cost to business owners. Vandenabeele can come in to assess a brewery’s operations, and make recommendations about ways it could become more efficient. He’ll connect business owners with networks and resources to help them achieve their sustainability goals.

“It takes time. It takes effort. It takes knowledge,” Vandenabeele says, and he understands small business owners are already stretched thin. “Why the EPA gave us this grant is because we can go into a business” and inform them about their many options.

These days, due to the state’s ban on organic waste, breweries are likely already recycling their spent grains. They’re probably already collecting and reusing PakTechs. But what are some other ways this industry can become more environmentally friendly? 

Well, Vandenabeele is glad you asked.

Harnessing Renewable Energy

You don’t have to install your own solar panels or wind turbines to use renewable energy. Vandenabeele understands that infrastructural upgrades can be cost prohibitive, or even impossible for some breweries that don’t own their own facilities. 

There are some that are doing it, of course:

• Barrington Brewery and Restaurant was the first in Massachusetts to invest in an on-site solar array. 

• Riverwalk Brewing in Newburyport leases space in a large building with a 500-kilowatt solar array on the roof and also has a wind turbine. The brewery draws 100% of the energy it uses from on-site renewables.

• 7th Wave Brewing in Medfield owns its own building (which also houses 10 other businesses, including a distillery and a sake brewery). A 500-kilowatt solar array on the roof produces more power than the building uses—so not only does the brewery not have an electricity bill to pay, but it actually collects a check each month from Eversource.

But those are examples of the gold standard. Vandenabeele wants every brewery (and private citizen!) to know about how easy it can be to invest in renewable energy through purchase power agreements.

With a PPA, customers buy electricity from a third-party contractor, which works with other providers of renewable energy—be it solar, wind, hydro, etc. “Someone else is doing all the work” to set up the source of power, Vandenabeele explains, while the brewery’s electricity-bill money is, “in essence, going to increase the infrastructure for renewable power.”

For developers of renewable power sources, it can be lucrative, because federal and state governments are incentivizing purchase power agreements. But PPAs can also save money for energy users. Amherst Brewing Company’s five Hangar Pub restaurants, Coastal Mass. Brewing Co., Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing Co., Fieldcrest Brewing Co., Lost Shoe Brewing & Roasting Co., Moby Dick Brewing Co., and Pioneer Valley Brewing Co., have all tied to community solar through associate member of the MBG, East Coast Renewable Energy. Participants are expected to save 10% on their electric bills through the program. 

There's no investment required whatsoever to participate in a PPA—and in fact, most agreements offer a discount because of the environmental benefits. Check out the state’s website about purchase power agreements to learn about the options, or get in touch with East Coast Renewable Energy for a free evaluation. 

Reducing Organic Waste

Until the U.S. tackles the problem of food waste—which sees nearly 40% end up in landfills annually—Vanguard Renewables is stepping in with a solution. 

The Agawam-based company collects organic waste such as spent grains, food scraps, and even out-of-code beer and turns it into methane gas, which can be used for energy, through a controlled process called anaerobic digestion. If this waste ends up in a landfill, it also becomes methane, which is a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to increased atmospheric warming and climate change. 

An associate member of the MBG, Vanguard Renewables is already working with numerous Massachusetts breweries, including Berkshire Brewing Company, Riverwalk, Jack’s Abby, Tree House, Wachusett Brewing, and White Lion. In 2022, the company recycled nearly 11,000 tons of brewery waste, mitigating about 6,350 tons of carbon dioxide. That’s equivalent to planting more than 100,000 trees. The renewable energy produced by anaerobically digesting that waste is capable of fueling a city bus for over 1,000,000 miles, according to Vanguard.

While methane gas is still a fossil fuel, harnessing it in a controlled way, from rescued organic waste, is a more environmentally friendly source of it than fracking is, Vandenabeele notes.

Sourcing Local Ingredients

Supporting your local brewery feels great—but how local is that beer, really? In reality, the grain base probably grew in the Midwest or Canada, and the hops were likely flown in from the Pacific Northwest. “There are substantial emissions involved with that delivery,” Vandenabeele says.

Using locally grown ingredients achieves two major goals: One, it cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions associated with shipping materials, and two, it supports the local economy. More demand for New England-grown ingredients “creates new opportunities for local farmers to consider a whole new crop,” Vandenabeele says.

CraftRoots Brewing is unique in sourcing all the malt it uses from New England craft maltsters, as well as the majority of its hops from a family farm in Western Mass. Redemption Rock in Worcester, the first Massachusetts craft brewery to become a certified B Corp; Wormtown, Lamplighter, Trillium, and Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing Co. have also all produced exclusively local products.

“They’re putting their money where their mouth is,” he says. “If you’re a farmer thinking about growing barley or wheat, you need to have an end-market to sell it to. So if Lamplighter says, ‘We’ll take as much as we can get from you,’ that’s huge.”

The Northeast Grainshed Alliance was founded in 2020 to increase demand for Northeast grains. It promotes networking and collaboration between local growers, processors, and makers; and it increases understanding about the value of regional grains through various communications and policy advocacy strategies. The SQFT Project, for example, is a tool makers can use to calculate the square footage of farmland involved in making a product, and features a logo signifying the product’s commitment.

“For consumers, you should buy that beer if you care about the environment,” Vandenabeele says. If a beer touts 100% local hops or malt—even a one-time, special release—“that’s serious dedication by that brewery.”

Creating a sustainable culture

Portico Brewing, which recently opened its first taproom in Somerville after years as a contract brand, has hit the ground running with plans for sustainability, says Vandenabeele, who helped the company apply for and receive a grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection. The MassDEP Reduce, Reuse, Repair Micro-Grant provides recipients up to $5,000 to establish waste reduction projects. Portico is using its grant to help pay for reusable silverware, plates, bowls, trays, and stainless steel cups for its taproom and in-house kitchen, in an effort to have zero waste. 

The new brewery at Boynton Yards is also working to become a certified bike-friendly business, and is establishing partnerships with local conservation groups like the Charles River Watershed Association, the Somerville Urban Forestry Division, and the Great Massachusetts Cleanup. Portico also has its sights set on becoming the first Massachusetts brewery to become a member of 1% For the Planet, a non-profit organization that encourages all kinds of businesses to donate a percent of gross sales to environmental causes.

Sure, Portico has the clean slate of its first brick-and-mortar—but well-established breweries can make these changes, too. Vandenabeele, the MBG, and our partners at UMass Boston are excited to show you how.

To learn more and set up a sustainability evaluation at your brewery, email the Eco-Friendly Beer Drinker today. Happy Earth Day!

SIX PACK QUESTIONNAIRE SERIES: STRONG SIDE BREWING CO.

Meet Dave Hughes, wearer of all hats, at Strong Side Brewing Co.

Full Name? David Hughes

Your title? Owner / Brewer (Salesman / Social Media Manager / Delivery Driver / Accountant)

Brewery Name? Strong Side Brewing

Brewery Location?  No physical location yet - operating as a contract brewery. Contracting out of Start Line Brewing - Hopkinton MA. You can find our tap locations on our website!

#1) What made you decide to get into the craft brewing industry?*

 A good friend of mine got a homebrew kit in 2010, and I went over to hang out on brew day. The very next day - I went out and bought all of my own equipment. It's been a steady ramp up since that day. Through many different living situations / major life events, I've always found a way to keep the homebrew hobby growing and improving. So much so that I started working part time at a commercial brewery to learn professional practices, and worked up enough courage to give it a go on my own!

#2) Which of your beers do your customers enjoy the most and why?*

 I'm operating as a contract brewery at the moment - so my flagship series of beers is fairly limited. I produce 3 sister beers that all have similarities, but ramp up in abv %. It's a hazy - hop forward series of brews: "Future Self" 5.2% NE Pale Ale, "Groundwork" 6.5% NE IPA, and "Take the Leap" 8.0% NE Double IPA, that all work together to tell a story. I'd say the fan favorite is Take the Leap. It seems to move the quickest out at bar / restaurant accounts!

#3) What's your favorite thing about your brewery?*

 The message. I will work to produce top quality beer for Strong Side's entire existence, however, I feel that Massachusetts is packed full of breweries putting out absolutely amazing beer. I want Strong Side to stand out with its message. I want to promote positivity and motivation. We're all in this together. We all face adversity day in and day out. We can all dig deep and tap into our own personal Strong Side to overcome any obstacle that we face. Then we can celebrate with a beer!

#4) Besides your own, what Massachusetts craft beers or breweries impress you the most and why? *

I'd argue that here in MA we have the largest concentration of incredible breweries in the country, so this is a wicked tough question. I'm definitely highly influenced by those that I feel are dominating the NE IPA style in not only the state, but have become recognizable names nationwide. Tree House, Trillium, and Vitamin Sea I hold in very high regard. That said, my host brewery - Start Line Brewing - has long been one of my favorites! The beer is top notch, they have tremendous variety, the food is outstanding, and they provide one of the best all around tap room experiences in the state! I love what Sterling Street Brewing in Clinton and Lost Shoe Brewing in Marlborough have built, as well, and look to both as inspirations for the future Strong Side Brewing location!

#5) What’s a little known fact about you or your brewery that you think customers would get a kick out of? Something unique, funny or unusual?

My wife and I got the opportunity to brew beer for our own wedding! The feedback from that night is really what set me on my path to pursuing this professionally. We made an American Wheat with all of the bridesmaids "Ladies in Waiting", a west coast IPA with all of the groomsmen "GuyPA", and coffee stout as a couple "The Big Day". We "outsold" commercial beer options available at the wedding by something like 300%. It made for one magical night!

#6) Do you remember your first gateway craft beer? What did you love about it and why? 

Honest answer, I was a rum and coke guy forever. I'd have all the domestic light beer at parties and such but was never impressed. Sam Adams Boston Lager was probably the first craft beer that I ever tried that really caught my eye. I went on a Sam Adams only kick for close to a year - trying every style that I could find. However, when I had my first pint of Dogfish Head 60-Minute IPA, I remember exactly where I was. It was a monumental moment. It was that glass that really started my craft beer journey!

Massachusetts Craft Brewers Festival is for local brewers, by local brewers

Our marquee event returns with a new name and the same dedication to Bay State beer.

What better way to support Massachusetts craft breweries than with a big ol’ beer fest? So that’s exactly what we at the MBG are doing: Bringing our fans and friends together for our biggest fundraiser of the year. The Massachusetts Craft Brewers Festival, coming up on Saturday, April 29, at the Cyclorama in Boston, showcases more than 40 local breweries pouring the beers they’re most excited to share.

Known as the Power Beer Fest since our first foray in 2017, we changed the name this year to amplify that the Massachusetts Craft Brewers Festival is run by local brewers, for local brewers.

From the Berkshires to the South Shore, areas throughout the state are represented in the brewery lineup. With great anticipation, we’re watching as they share their draft lists ahead of the festival: Beer fans will have a chance to try:

• Holy Schnitt! Munich Helles by True North Ale Co., a 2022 Best of Craft Beer bronze medal winner

• Quaffable Waffle Blueberry Pastry Stout by Bright Ideas Brewing

• a plethora of New England IPAs

• a few flavor-forward finds from new-to-Mass. brewery Long Live Beerworks

• and many, many more. (Here’s where we remind everybody to please drink responsibly!)

Check out the growing beer list here.

As the beverage landscape has changed and craft brewers are producing more seltzers and hard ciders, so, too, has our festival adapted. New this year: There will be a limited number of non-beer offerings available from breweries making alternative drinks. 

We’ll have water stations available, so BYO bottle to fill. Attendees are also welcome to bring snacks and pretzel necklaces. Our friends and food purveyors The Burgundunian, The Sausage Guy, and Wild Fox Pierogi will be on hand with more substantial fare for sale. Hands full? No problem. Phygit Foods will be selling pretzel necklaces and wearable snacks with proceeds benefiting the Federation for Children with Special Needs.

Sound fun? You better get tickets soon—the first session is nearly sold out. 

The Massachusetts Craft Brewers Festival spans two sessions, from 1-4:30 p.m. and 6-9:30 p.m. Tickets are $55 for general admission and $10 for designated drivers and available on Eventbrite. As always, all ticket proceeds support the Mass Brewers Guild’s mission to protect and promote the interests of craft brewers.