BY MATT WICKSTROM CONTRIBUTING WRITERJUNE 21, 2021 06:00 AM, UPDATED JUNE 21, 2021 11:14 AM
Two years after launching as Winchester’s first brewery, Abettor Brewing Co. already has plans to expand.
Renovations began in January inside an 8,000-square-foot building at 126 North Highland Street that’s set to open this summer. The major expansion will feature a beefed up brewing system (from 1.5 barrels to 10) and a larger emphasis on live music with indoor and outdoor stages.
According to owner Tyler Montgomery, the expansion and new tap room is happening despite the wind getting taken out of the brewery’s sails by the COVID-19 pandemic after what had been a year of rapid growth prior.
“The timing hasn’t been ideal, but when an opportunity like this is put in front of you you can’t just pass it up,” said Montgomery. “It’s a perfect spot for everything we want to do. It’s also a way for us to repurpose some of Winchester’s most historic landmarks in a way that will have a lasting impact on the community for generations to come.”
But the original location at 301 W Lexington Ave. isn’t closing. In fact they’re going to use it for something new.
“We’re actually going to utilize that space and turn it into a sour (beer) program,” Montgomery said.