Tag: Wachusett Brewing Company

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Wachusett Brewing Company To Open Tap Room At Worcester Public Market Fronting Directly on Kelley Square

Worcester Public Market (Submitted)

The Worcester Public Market and Wachusett Brewing Company have signed an agreement to establish a Wachusett tap room in the anchor space of the market, fronting directly on Kelley Square.

“This fits our concept perfectly,” commented Allen W. Fletcher, president of the market: “We could not be more delighted.”

“We’ve always considered Worcester our home city since our first delivery there in 1994” said Christian McMahan, Wachusett Brewing Company President. “We love the concept of the Public Market and look forward to being a big part of the community moving forward.” McMahan concluded.

The Worcester Public Market will occupy the ground floor of Harding Green, a new, four story building being constructed at the junction of Harding and Green streets in Worcester’s resurgent Canal District. Fletcher and Raymond Quinlan are the principles of Canal District Partners, the developer. The building will also house Kelley Square Lofts, composed of 48 units of market rate apartments, served by a 72 space parking area.

Wachusett Brewing Company was named the 43rd largest craft brewer in the US in 2018. It produces its popular Blueberry Ale as well as other favorites as Green Monsta and Wally New England IPA. In recent years it has diversified its portfolio with brands such as Nauti Hard Seltzer and its newest introduction Fifty Trees Hard Cider.

The new tap room will sit on the edge of a new plaza fronting Kelley Square, providing a direct southern entrance to the market. It will occupy approximately 3,000 square feet and serve the food court of the market as well as offering outside seating on the plaza. The building itself abuts the Crompton Building – home of the popular Birch Tree Bread Company, the Crompton Collective and other businesses – and sits two blocks from the soon-to-be-built Worcester Red Sox stadium.

The market will be a multi-vendor, food-oriented market in the European tradition, featuring a wide variety of retail food establishments. Fresh produce, pasta, seafood, deli goods, bakery items, ice cream and a wide variety of ethnic foods will all be represented there. A grand opening is scheduled for the early fall.

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Say So Long to June – Here’s Your Restaurant Recap

Wachusett Brew Yard at the Railers Sports Tavern downtown Worcester, MA

During the month of June, Wachusett Brewing Company launched the Brew Yard at Railers Sports Tavern where lawn games and live music abound. We’re still waiting on The Brew’s 500-seat Beer Garden which is ostensibly “coming summer 2018” just a few blocks away.

This month, contributor Giselle Rivera-Flores continued on her #SundayFunday quest, taking readers to Rail Trail Flatbread Co., a spot largely credited with activating Hudson’s once sleepy downtown. Giselle praised Rail Trail for, “Pressing their own juices and creating their own syrups,” in addition to lauding their fire roasted mussels as a fine summer dish. We were also excited to see the return of contributor Anna Leigh this month whose three day juice cleanse with Steam Energy Cafe left her feeling energized and lean.

Brandon, Server of the Week at VIA Italian Table on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, MA (source: VIA)
Brandon, Server of the Week at VIA Italian Table on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, MA (source: VIA)

I continued my tour de pre-meal, courtesy of Reserve, by spending an afternoon at VIA Italian Table. Sitting in on Worcester Restaurant Group’s pointed staff meeting reminded me that plenty of local eateries play at the idea of being the result of an owner’s eccentric passion-project-turned-success. VIA, on the other hand, makes no qualms about being an unabashedly corporate affair. Expectations are high, competition is hot, and employees are unequivocally happy. (Heck, I’d pick up a few shifts just for the gelato.)

Stonecow’s Farmhouse Saison pairs with Buck's Spicy Cougar from Buck's on Green Street in Worcester, MA.
Stonecow’s Farmhouse Saison pairs with Buck’s Spicy Cougar from Buck’s on Green Street in Worcester, MA.

I found a new corner of the Canal District in Buck’s Whiskey & Burger Bar, an establishment built for cowboys and sportsmen. (Cowgirls and sportsladies too.) I paired Stonecow’s Farmhouse Saison with Buck’s Spicy Cougar burger, knowing that sessionable libations are key for me when it comes to a lot of heat; at just 4.5% abv, this beer was superbly crushable. I also had the opportunity to visit Maddi’s Cookery and Taphouse in the Canal District for their soft opening. The menu was spearheaded by Chef Christopher O’Harra, formerly of Flying Rhino, and owner Adam Hicks of Depot Street Tavern. I feasted on buffalo chicken balls, stick e. Bacon, and wings. With our hearts set on the Woo Sox, Worcesterites just can’t seem to get enough pub fare; both new restaurants shared conceptual similarities.

Cape Cod Bay Wine Pairings (Erb Photo)Finally, I had the pleasure of announcing that I will be visiting a half dozen Cape Cod restaurants this summer to add to the Mass Foodies repertoire. In my opinion, there is no strong comprehensive resource for dining on Cape Cod the way Boston has Eater and Worcester has us. Yours truly is hoping to fill the void (with lobster.) Expect visits to Ceraldi, Fishermen’s View, Chatham Bars Inn, and maybe even The Beachcomber. We salute summertime in the beautiful state of Massachusetts.