WATERBORO — Starting at noon today, people will be able to try a new craft beer at a brand new brewery, located at 721 Main St. (Route 202) in Waterboro.

Xota Brewing Company, owned by Josh and Caitlin Charette, will be serving up a variety of beer made on site, like Ossipee Mountain Pale Ale, described as a medium-bodied ale with caramel notes; Xavier, a red-colored brew with caramel notes and smoky flavor from the cherry wood smoked malt; a full-bodied stout called Oatis with notes of coffee and chocolate, and a citrus inspired brew called R.E.O. Soon, there will be a new brew added to the menu, called Cait with notes of chamomile and hibiscus.

It is a dream that is finally coming true for this couple, who have roots in Waterboro, South Berwick and in nearby Hollis, where they now live.

Josh Charette grew up in North Waterboro, graduated from Massabesic High School and later from the University of Southern Maine, where he met Caitlin, of South Berwick.

He worked in insurance and in the real estate mortgage industry for years. She’s a nurse in a cardiac intensive care unit,  teaches nursing classes  at the University of Southern Maine and is studying to become a nurse practitioner.

Josh Charette said a friend introduced him to home brewing nearly nine years ago. His first foray was into hard cider, and he then progressed to beer, beginning with extract kits to which he added hops, then on to what is called mini mash, and then two years later, to all-grain brewing.

That was at home. Now, with the help of brewer Jay Horne, who was previously at a South Portland brewery, Charette is making beer on site in Waterboro.

“I really enjoy the process, and I love the science behind it,” he said of brewing beer.

Josh, 32, has worked for others virtually all of his working life, starting at 14, after school and on weekends, stocking shelves at Lakeside Market.

Later, there were stints at Point Sebago, working as s substitute teacher and waiting tables for extra cash.

“I’ve always loved to work,” he said.

Now, he’s a business owner, full-time.

“It’s surreal,” said Josh, and a bit scary, he admitted.

Caitlin joked that her husband needs to brew a beer called Have Faith.

“People are interested in the process and they like to learn how the beer they’re drinking is made,” she said.

Sandi Binette, who owns Lakeside Market with her husband Leo, recalled when Josh used to work at the store, describing him as “a solid youth employee at a young age.”

“Over the years he became an important part of our company and grew through our business,” she recalled. “He was destined to do something like this. It was always obvious that he was motivated.”

Josh began building the brewery on Main Street in September, doing much of the work himself.

The building sports high ceilings, which will allow for higher tanks if need be, or even a second story.

“The goal is to grow it out,” he said.

Josh said he hopes to slowly, over time, grow to the point where the business needs more space.

“I want to focus on the local aspect of it,” he said, pointing out there are a lot of brewers in Portland, and he loves them, he said but there are fewer in York County so he plans to concentrate on the business here.

And the name — where did that come from? Well, Xota Brewing Company is named for the couple’s well-loved dogs, Australian terriers Xavier and Otis.

Xota is one of more than 135 breweries in Maine, according to numbers from the Maine Brewers Guild, of which the Waterboro company is a member. The guild did not respond to an email, but information on its website shows that in 2017, there were 1,910 direct jobs in Maine’s breweries and 650 indirect jobs, paying $54 million in wages. It pegged the 2017 economic impact statewide at $260 million. It estimated that 9 million tourists — 1 in 5 — visited a Maine brewery in 2017.

Xota will be open noon to 7 p.m. today for the open house. Food trucks including El Camino Fresh Mexican Grill will be on hand until late afternoon, followed by and Chez JJ Belgian Fries.

Starting the following week, the brewery is expected to be open Wednesday through Sunday.

Beer is $5 for a 12 ounce pour, and $2 for a four-ounce taste, including tax.

There is seating inside, and outside at the rear of the building.

“I can’t wait to sit outside on the patio, have a beer, tell stories and find community,” said Caitlin.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 780-9016 or twells@journaltribune.com.

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