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Brewing company finds new life in renovated riverfront building
NANCY A. CAVANAUGH
ncavanaugh@eagletimes.com
Gabe Streeter and Kelen Beardsley, two of three owners of Trout River Brewing Company, stand between the mash and kettle on Wednesday. The company is set to start producing beer today. — NANCY A. CAVANAUGH
Gabe Streeter and Kelen Beardsley, two of three owners of Trout River Brewing Company, stand between the mash and kettle on Wednesday. The company is set to start producing beer today. — NANCY A. CAVANAUGH
SPRINGFIELD — The new owners of Trout River Brewing Company begin a new chapter in their quest to operate a brewery when they start production today.
Three years ago Kelen Beardsley, Gabe Streeter and Trevor Billings, friends who grew up in Springfield, began pondering the idea of owning a brewery. The goal was to do something in Springfield.
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“We began brainstorming with Bob Flint,” Beardsley said. “We found out about the building from him.”
Flint is the executive director of the Springfield Regional Development Corporation (SRDC).
The brewery is being housed in the far end of the One Hundred River Street building behind the gray garage door. Built in 1940, it was formerly known as the Fellows Gear Shaper factory, which was a manufacturing plant that built gun turrets for WWII. In 2009, there was a $13 million renovation to give the mixed-use building new life.
“It was just a blank space, a giant blank room,” said Beardsley. “We started from scratch.”
When you walk in, you can see that it is still much of a blank space awaiting an office and a tasting room, which they’re hoping will look like a fishing camp.
They purchased the business in October 2014 and spent the next year and a half experiencing “a lot of growing pains,” said Beardsley.
“There were a lot of issues with getting the space renovated. It is an old building which means a lot of inspections when renovating,” he continued.
Flint, who assisted the trio along their journey, helped with the growing pains and building issues.
“This is a great case study,” he said. “We worked with them every step of the way. We helped them with their business plan, financing, code requirements and space. We helped them get a grant to help with the cooler.”
The $15,000 grant came from the Regional Economic Development Grant Program from the Department of Buildingsand General Services. The SRDC got a similar grant for Drew’s All Natural in Chester a few years ago, according to Flint.
“They were very thorough and resilient,” said Flint.
Before they took over ownership of the business, Streeter, who has 10 years of home brewing experience, worked with the former owner. They now own the brand and the equipment.
“We want to re-image the brand and do something to recognize the Trout River but give it our own touch,” Beardsley said.
They will be launching with two beers — the Rainbow Red Ale, one of the more popular recipes from the former owner, and a Vermont Single IPA, which is their own recipe.
“The Vermont Single is a session IPA,” Beardsley explained. “It is a smoother beer with a lower alcohol content that makes it easier to drink.”
While production starts today, it will be four to six weeks, depending on the style, before it will be ready to be sent out. They will be distributing all over Vermont in early April then will be distributing in New Hampshire.
By summer they are hoping to have the tasting room ready as well as up to four types of beers with a fifth seasonal beer.
Flint is excited about them getting off the ground.
“A lot of people don’t make it across the line because it’s hard,” he said. “It is great for them and the building but even better for the town. We have our own brewery now. And, it’s great to see young entrepreneurs. This is just the beginning for them.”
Free beer tomorrow....
ReplyDeleteWay to go guys! Wishing you the best of luck!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations everyone! So glad to hear the good news and can't wait to have some beer.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteUndercapitalized from the start, entering a market already saturated with craft brews, located in an obscure building in a depressed small town off the tourist trail, and facing an economy sliding back into recession; they'll only last as long as the "grants and loans" will continue. Probability of survival is low...
ReplyDeleteWow. Ever hear of the old adage.."if you don't have anything nice to say, say nothing at all"? Stay positive Trout River Brewing! Don't let miserable people bring you down. My husband and I will definitely be drinking your brew! Thank you for your efforts to make Springfield great again!
DeleteWow. Ever hear of the old adage..."If you don't have anything nice to say, say nothing at all"? Stay positive and don't let miserable people bring you down, Trout River; my husband and I will be drinking your brew! Thanks for your efforts to make Springfield great again!
Delete@ Paker Hill, Once they took the $45K loan of public funds, (your and my money) they opened themselves to public condemnation. The likelihood of that money ever being repaid is on par with defunct VMT.
DeleteAs stated, Vermont is awash in great quality micro brews. The market is finite and no one is getting rich. Only a fool would enter this fad driven market expecting to thrive as fads ALWAYS end badly. Hey, anyone want to buy a custom chopper?
You certainly have been drinking their Kool-Aid. With Bob Flint assisting from the Springfield Regional Development Corporation (SRDC) what could possibly go wrong? Their company is all ready using public monies for their own fantasies. Making your own home brew for years does not make you a savvy business person nor a genius in crafting beer for national distribution. I suggest they name their first beer "Dolefield" in honor of our current Springfield heritage.
DeleteI don't think their goal is national distribution, but I could be wrong. Many beers brewed in Vermont are only available is Vermont and this has proven to be a successful model. The product has to be good.
DeleteThey have an uphill battle, but let's taste the beer before we write them off.
Oversaturated? Probability of survival low? Tell that to the Heady Topper (Alchemist Brewing) folks. Every batch sells out without HOURS. Geez people, a couple local boys start a business and all you can STILL do is whine, whine, whine.
ReplyDeleteDamn why the negative thoughts? Why put people down for trying. I think it's time for you to move out of your Mom's house and open your wings. Some will fly and some will fall. But you don't know till you try. Maybe hire a life coach?
ReplyDelete"There is nothing to do in this town." "There is no business in this town." "This town can't attract new business." "This town can't attract young people." Just 4 of the more common "things" people say around Springfield. Now, all 4 of those statements get run over by some young energy trying to make a difference and everyone complains... $45K in revolving loan funds won't get paid back? Give me a break. Something good is happening that can help attract other small business and possibly a bit of tourism to town. Cry us all a river and support them by having a beer, maybe it will help spark an nice plan of your own that will help us all.
ReplyDeleteAnother Dolefield Kool-Aid drinker. If these clowns had started their own business without immediately putting their hands into the taxpayer pool we would be willing to let them play out their fantasies, win or lose. Unfortunately, before they have earned a dime, they have become dependent on someone else's money. When Bob Flint is involved you can tell this won't end well for the taxpayers. Drink up!You already paid for the "free" beer.
DeleteI'm proud to say I know the 3 guys who are starting this. Kelen is very smart when it comes to business, I'm sure the money will be paid back sooner than you think.
ReplyDeleteDon't count them out! I have a good feeling about this.
All you negative Nancy's should embrace the idea that 3 lifelong friends with a dream and positive attitude are doing something positive in this town. They aren't bringing more rift raft here, they are bringing revenue and beer!