TOPSFIELD, MA — A 16-month renovation of a historic North Shore farm will culminate with this weekend's grand opening of Essex County Brewing Company's new taproom in Topsfield.
Essex County Brewing, which opened in Peabody in 2018, held a soft opening for its new location at the renovated Alfalfa Farm last weekend, with the public opening set for this Friday at 4 p.m.
"We are still shaking our heads and are wondering what just went down this weekend," said co-owner Paul Donhauser said in a social media post. "We are so grateful for old friends and new that joined us in the rain on Saturday and again on a sunny Mother’s Day!! We are so lucky and so happy to FINALLY be able to open our doors and let you all into this new, refreshed, beautiful historic space!"
The new brewery on Rowley Ridge Road will open on Friday at 4 p.m. Hours on Friday are 4 to 9 p.m., Saturday from noon to 10 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.
The taproom features indoor and outdoor seating, live music, and area food trucks and vendors, along with a selection of craft brews and spirits.
Essex's owners reached a deal to move to the brewery from its former home on Pulaski Street in Peabody in 2024, with a renovation of the farmhouse to the new brewery, distillery and taproom.
Donhauser said the soft opening last weekend "felt like a reunion of generations, stories, memories and community."
"All day long, we heard incredible stories from people who lived here, worked here, got married here, played here, and grew up connected to this land over the last century," he said. "Stories of dairy farming, stories of the Adelman family planting the first vines, and stories that reminded us this farm has always been about bringing people together.
"Now, together, we get to write the next chapter."
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