USA, NH: Great Rhythm Brewing to open its doors in Portsmouth on August 13

Scott and Kristen Thornton will open the doors to Great Rhythm Brewing Company on Saturday, August 13 when they'll debut three new beers for sampling with a scenic views of the tidal river feeding North Mill Pond, Seacostonline.com reported on August 10.

In the nine months since they were granted a variance to open the brewery and tasting room off Bartlett Street, the Thorntons have transformed a rundown and abandoned fish-processing plant into a remarkable industrial space. They kept the ceilings high and added a pair of glass garage-style doors that can be opened to connect the beer tasting area to a grove of maple trees, the tidal river and shore birds. Long wood tables and cafe seating will accommodate up to 50 people, Scott Thornton said.

There's a bar area where four different Great Rhythm brews will be on tap and available in samples. Next to it, the brewing and canning operations are exposed so patrons can gaze at the large steel production vats while sampling the goods brewed inside them.

Scott Thornton said he and his wife wanted to open the space with windows and doors and worked with Winter Holben architects, known locally for the design concept for the 3S Artspace building.

"The transformation is pretty amazing," Scott Thornton said. "On a sunny day, we don't even need to turn on the lights."

Kristen Thornton said the couple wanted an open concept design "so people could see what's going on."

"They're too pretty to hide," she said about the steel tanks where water is heated, grains are mashed, hops are cooked and beer is fermented.

Her husband said Great Rhythm Brewing Company is now its own 10-barrel brew house using a dry-hopping method to make its beers.

Known best for its Resonation Pale Ale, Great Rhythm will be rolling out three new brews, for sampling and purchase, during its grand opening on August 13. Scott Thornton said all are "hops-forward beers" because they're "really hoppy" and they have alcohol by volume at four to six percent.

One is called Cutaway and Scott Thornton described it as having lemon and lime overtones. "It's really easy to drink and has a lot of aroma," he said.

The second new brew is called Squeeze and has an orange/citrus aroma, he said. The third is called Hi-Fi and is described as having tropical citrus overtones. Four-packs of 16 ounce brews will be available to go.

The couple formed Great Rhythm Brewing Company in 2012 and began making beer at Mercury Brewing in Ipswich, Mass. From there, they moved production to Smuttynose Brewery on Heritage Avenue, until finding the Bartlett Street warehouse space.

In addition to being co-owner of the company, Kristen Thornton works as a nurse, while her husband is a full-time brewer. Both University of New Hampshire graduates, the couple are in their 30s and said they met at Poco's Bow Street Cantina, which is now one of their customers.

07 August, 2016