Worcester Business Journal

8 Worcester Business Journal | August 21, 2017 | wbjournal.com Despite the congenial attitude among Central Mass. breweries, the statewide industry association is worried growth maybe become unsustainable Craft brewing takes off Source: Brewers Association, Mass. Brew Bros. Craft brew growth BY ZACHARY COMEAU Worcester Business Journal Staff Writer The growing trend toward more craft breweries nationally has been mirrored in Massachusetts. 0 30 60 90 120 150 0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 '11 '12 '13 '14 '15 '16 '17 '11 '12 '13 '14 '15 '16 Mass. breweries National breweries 5,301 140+ A s long as the beer is new and unique, "You'll be OK" in the surging craft beer market, said Nancy Bixby, co-founder of Altruist Brewing Co. in Sturbridge. Nancy and husband Bob Bixby plan to open the brewery and taproom sometime this fall. They're still plug- ging away and working to get the space in a renovated mill building on Main Street in Sturbridge ready. Once Altruist opens and the beer is flowing, it will join more than 140 breweries in the state, a huge leap from the 45 breweries operational in 2011, according to the Brewers Association and Mass. Brewers Guild. That growth is matched in Central Massachusetts, with breweries opening in places like Northbridge, East Brookfield, Milford and Hudson this year and next year – joining companies like Wormtown Brewery in Worcester, Jack's Abby Craft Lager in Framingham and Wachusett Brewing Co. in Westminster who only a couple of years ago were the new kids themselves. Nationwide, numbers are skyrocket- ing. In 2016, breweries numbered 5,301, compared to just 2,047 in 2011, according to the Brewers Association. Friendly competition, so far Despite a craft brewery seemingly opening in every town recently, the competition – at least among small breweries – remains friendly, the Bixbies said. "It's not me against Rapscallion," Bob Bixby said, referencing an estab- lished craft brewery in Sturbridge. "It's all of us against the big guys: Budweiser and Coors." Another brewer from Framingham drives by the building each day and routinely stops in to ask if he can be any help, Bob Bixby said. A Hudson brewery sold Altruist a fermenter at a discounted price. The couple pointed to Treehouse Brewing – which recently opened just down Rte. 20 in Charlton and has boasted two-hour lines of patrons – as a sign interest in craft beer isn't slowing. Tree House and Altruist are among many breweries that have opened recently or are opening soon in Central Massachusetts, including Medusa Brewing Co. in Hudson, Greater Good Imperial Brewing Co. in Worcester, River Styx in Fitchburg, Purgatory Brewing Co. in Northbridge, Craftroots Brewing in Milford, Timberyard Brewing in East Brookfield, Exhibit A in Framingham and Start Line Brewing in Hopkinton. Yet, this rapid growth of craft beer may not be sustainable if growth con- tinues at anexponential pace, said Rob Burns, president of the Mass. Brewers Guild and co-owner of Night Shift Brewing in Everett. A time may come when too much beer oversaturates the market. Burns specifically cited the California market with its 623 breweries last year as reaching that peak, noting certain smaller breweries on the West Coast filing for bankruptcy, closing or being bought out by larger companies. Yet, the number of Massachusetts home brewers or beer enthusiasts even considering turning the hobby into a company is definitely growing. At a July brewery bootcamp held by the guild, 65 people attended, Burns said. "You look out at the room and say, 'Oh my God, this many people are in this room today, but how many other people out there are getting close to Husband and wife team Nancy and Bob Bixby are working to open Altruist Brewing Co. sometime in the fall. Craftroots Brewing co-founder Robin Fabry pours a beer with employee Russ Gallant. The Milford brewery opened in March. P H O T O S / Z A C H A R Y C O M E A U

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