After hitting a hoppy, sud-soaked home run with the Saltbox Brewing Company in Mahone Bay, the team is preparing to open a new location in Bridgewater.
The new business, which will sling drinks as the King Street Beer Company, is scheduled to open downtown on May 3.
Andrew Tanner — one of the four Saltbox partners and president of the new location—said the team is excited to be a part of King Street’s revitalization.
“We basically had the concept that Bridgewater was ready and ripe for another development,” he said. “We felt what we offered at Saltbox could be replicated here in Bridgewater.”
King Street Beer will be located on the corner of Dufferin and King Street and is just one of several businesses scheduled to open in the coming months.
“If we can help spur on destination marketing than that’s all well and good. It’s beneficial for everybody,” said Tanner of the downtown growth.
He also noted Bridgewater’s growing population and council’s investment in downtown projects as reasons for the expansion.
The new location — although still under construction for a few more weeks—is expected to have 16 taps and will include Saltbox beer, guest taps, ciders and wine.
Tanner said King Street Beer will also have a unique program aimed at helping homebrewers.
The LaHave River Beer Program will encourage homebrewers to come to the location and use King Street Beer’s equipment to test out their recipes in 30 to 50 litres batches.
The results of the program will then be available on tap on location.
“If it’s good, they’ll be invited to brew in Mahone Bay on the big systems,” said Tanner.
In terms of the space itself, the new location will have a similar set up to the Mahone Bay brewery but with a second level for private parties and functions.
During the summer, Tanner said the there will also be sidewalk seating.
When asked about the growing craft beer scene along the South Shore, Tanner said the industry is very supportive and communities have recognized their work.
In fact, Tanner said the Saltbox team starting looking at potential opportunities shortly after opening in Mahone Bay, although it took two years to settle on King Street as their latest project.
Tanner credited building owners Jane and Peter Berrigan for making the expansion possible.
“We’ve worked hard at it and the community has come out and supported us,” said Tanner.
And as a sign of further growth, Tanner hinted that the team is also working on a project in the Town of Lunenburg.
“That’s coming on the horizon,” he said.
