Westbrook could soon be getting its second craft brewery and tasting room if the Planning Board gives the OK early next month.

Yes Brewing, owned by John Bigelow of Portland, is looking to operate the new brewery at 609 Main St., Unit 2, which is behind Mister Bagel. City Planner Jennie Franceschi said the unit is roughly 2,400 square feet.

The Planning Board will host a public hearing on Tuesday, Oct. 4, and could vote to approve the project that night. If approved, it would mark the second new craft beer tasting room downtown since early 2015, when Mast Landing Brewing Co. opened at 920 Main St. Since that time, Mast Landing has become a popular destination in the city.

Bigelow said Tuesday he and his business partners eyed Westbrook because it’s not “saturated” like the Portland craft brewery market.

Bigelow said he’s been an “avid homebrewer” for some 15 years, and that a partner in the business has worked at Shipyard Brewing in Portland for several years.

“Westbrook was really inviting,” he said, adding that the pair watched the market and searched for outlying options to Portland.

When asked about Mast Landing, Bigelow said breweries are not often directly competitive, with customers often jumping from location to location to try the different brews. He said he believes it will be good for the city.

The entrance to the brewery and limited parking would be off Stevens Avenue. Unit 3 in back is occupied by Corey Electric.

Bigelow said there has already been a small neighborhood meeting, where there were some questions over the tasting-room format, but he said he doesn’t foresee any hiccups from the Planning Board. Franceschi said due to the size of the unit, the brewery will be a relatively small operation, with a 30-seat tasting room.

Yes Brewing, a new craft brewery and tasting room, would open at 609 Main St., Unit 2, if approved by the Westbrook Planning Board. Unit 2, at right, is between Mister Bagel and Corey Electric.

Copy the Story Link