“We were hoping to open before Christmas,” said Will Fisher this afternoon at his new tasting room at 115 Fox Street. “Everyone is in a good mood and enjoying themselves.” And indeed the bright and light tasting room was packed with patrons enjoying beer. Many of them were sitting at tables enjoying food with their drinks. Light and bright with lots of windows is noteworthy because its a commodity that Maine does not have enough of in the winter for this blogger! The Grand Opening runs from noon until 9:00 pm. this evening.
The tasting room with the brewery directly behind it occupies space formerly occupied by Oakhurst Dairy. “We need a lot of space. High ceilings for the equipment were essential,” said the accommodating Will. The Brewery has a ten (10) barrel system. The tasting room is 2,000 sq. ft. and there are eight (8) draft lines. Austin Street beer is distributed to many bars and restaurants in the area and to retailers as well. So the chances are that readers are already familiar with it.
The small tasting room at 1 Industrial Way will remain open.
Many of those in the above photograph were enjoying food from the indoor food cart of Highroller Lobster Co. (An excellent hotdog with hot relish from the cart cost $6.00). Wyllie said Austin Street plans on having a food cart available seven (7) days of the week to compliment the beer drinking patrons. Following is the schedule of food carts she outlined that begin on January 2nd: Monday, Vantage Point Provision; Tuesday, A&C Grocery; Wednesday, The Other Side Deli; Thursday, Grillin’ Brazillan; Friday Highroller Lobster Co; Saturday, Mr. Tuna; and on Sunday’s Steam Machine. There will also be dip and chips available next month.
“This is more a collaborative effort that a competitive one,” said the gracious Wyllie when mhn.com commented that there are other tasting rooms and bars in the immediate area. “There is a very different feel here than in other locations.”
Austin Street Bayside is open as follows: Sunday – Wednesday – noon – 7:00 pm; Thursday – Saturday noon – 9:00 pm.