“Six years ago, no one thought it could be done.”

Chris Lohring, founder of Notch Brewing, had a vision and people laughed. They said it would never work. They said people wouldn’t embrace it. They said people wouldn’t pay for a lower alcohol beer. It was just a marketing gimmick that would fade like the flavor of the month.

“Since then, the entire industry has embraced it. Session just need to be communicated.”

On Saturday, July 16, that vision comes full circle as Lohring and his team open the Notch Brewery & Taproom in Salem, MA. Until now, his roster of session-only beers were contract brewed and available throughout Massachusetts and Maine, but with his vision came success and with success came the brewery and taproom. When the doors finally open, the people will come because this vision was all about them and the experience of enjoying session beer, and so far, they haven’t proven him wrong.

This uniquely European biergarten will eventually offer 14 beers on tap (4 taps poured through a one of a kind Czech Bier Tower) and offer half and full litre pours as well as a ¼ litre pour called a Schnitt. Pretzels and bar snacks will be served as well, including authentic landjaeger.

Notch Brewery & Taproom

283R Derby Street

Salem, MA

notchbrewing.com

Business Hours:

Wed & Thurs, 5pm – 10pm

Fri & Sat,  Noon – 11pm

Sun, Noon – 10pm

Closed Mon and Tues

For a complete story on the taproom and brewery, pick up next week’s Dig Boston.