2beerguys beer blog

Lowell Beer Works Has Opened Its Doors!

Kat and I were on our way home from Albany, NY today and decided we’d make it a relaxing drive home.  We drove the slow and winding Route 2, taking our time and enjoying the sights.  We realized that at some point we’d need a little something to eat and thought that a thirst quench beer would round things out quite nicely.  We first tried Wachusett, but the fates thought differently and it was closed for the day.  Recalling a previous conversation about Beer Works taking over the first floor of Lowell Brewery Exchange, we decided to see if it’s doors were open yet.  Happily, upon arrival, we saw that the double doors that formerly opened to the bar area in the Brewery Exchange were swung wide!  I have to admit, it was a bit of a jaw dropping experience just walking through those doors.  Where the bar had been we saw a reception desk with a smiling host.  Straight in front of us (approximately where the bathrooms used to be) was a long bar with stools to seat about 25 people.  The bar itself was a sort of textured aluminum, and there were accents of wood and diamond plated aluminum throughout the bar area. Six HD TVs adorned the wall behind the bar to provide plenty of sports action as well.

We quickly made friends with the bartender and found out they’d only been open for about 3 weeks and were still working on getting everything in place.  Their first beer, a white ale, is currently being brewed under the watchful eye of the executive brewer from the Canal Street brewery and should be available soon.  They only had 7 beers on tap and 2 of those were not listed on the menu…limited, but expected I suppose.  Kat chose a Victory Red and I had a 9 Alarm Amber Lager (1 of those not listed on the menu).  The beers upheld the positive reputation of Beer Works and were pleasant to our taste buds and tummies. 

Looking through the menu, we chose to share an order of the cheesy garlic crustini and a trio of sliders.  Our order came out in a timely manner and we were impressed by the generous portions.  The crustini was baked perfectly.  The sliders, which we all know are almost always over cooked, were a perfect medium pink.  The toppings for the sliders were piled neatly on the side of the plate to accommodate those who have a more selective palate – it is always easier to add to a burger than to subtract!

As we were getting finished, we were faced with a small issue!  There was a changing of the guards and we had to make nice with a new bartender.  Chatting him up a little,  we had noticed some windows behind the bar and asked what they were trying to highlight.  He said they were waiting on several dispensing tanks to be delivered that would store all the beer to be poured at the taps.  We asked him a few more questions about how the brewery was coming together and whether they would eventually be opening the brewing area to tours.  On the spot he offered to get someone to provide us with a tour and would simply not take a courteous no for an answer.  So off we went (beer still in hand) with the executive manager and two of his subordinates for a personal tour.  He walked us through the usual process making special note that the used mash was saved for a local farmer.  He also stated that in their other locations brewers fermented and conditioned in separate tanks, but they would be doing both processes in the same tank in the Lowell brewery.  Also, the capacity of the Lowell brewery will be double that of any other Beer Works brewery allowing them to accommodate increased sales at the two new Logan Airport locations.  After passing the fermenting/conditioning tanks, he showed us the machinery they’d just purchased from a brewery in North Hampton, NH that would eventually make up the bottling line.  Lowell will be the first Beer Works location that will have 6-packs available for purchase!

Our final stop on the tour was the room that was eventually to be the private tasting room.  Once the brewery is fully operational one of the 3-4 brewers on staff will be leading the tours.  Each tour will end at the tasting room where the tour group will taste and discuss the flavors and qualities of the beers with the brewer.

We thanked our guide and his accompanying staff and complimented them on a job well done.  We certainly intend on visiting again many times.  We look forward to Lowell Beer Works completing construction, so we can see everything in full operation.  With the promise of beers we know and love being available and the addition of several “Lowell only” brews, we are excited to return.