USA, NH: Loaded Question Brewing Company to become Portsmouth West End’s third new brewery in a year

Down a hallway, in the back of an old industrial building, Tom Bath is knocking down walls to prepare for construction of Portsmouth West End’s third new brewery in a year, Seacostonline.com reported on May 19.

A 22-year brewer, Bath moved to Portsmouth from Seattle for a job change three years ago and found it “a bad fit.” He and his wife just bought a house and had a baby, when she suggested he open a brewery.

Now Bath has a lease for a 2,300-square-foot space at 909 Islington St. The brewing equipment is on order and Winter Holben Architecture and Design has drawn floor plans for Bath’s “Loaded Question Brewing Company,” which he hopes will be open in time for the Button Factory open studios in December.

Bath said the space reminds him of a secret speakeasy.

There will be views of greenery and railroad tracks through arched windows in the rear of the tasting room. The brew house will be in a side room, a walk-in cooler will take center stage and there will be seating for about 40. A small kitchen will be added for preparing small dishes.

The name of Bath’s brewery comes from a question he’s often asked while drinking beer with friends: What’s your favorite beer?

“Loaded Question was conceived on the idea that great beer mimics life. Our favorite beer changes with the season, the time of day, the weather and the crew we are hanging with. When the color, flavor, body and aroma of the beer match the moment it enriches the experience. Loaded Question is dedicated to understanding the infinite possibilities of craft beer and making memorable moments with our fellow beer lover.”

Now working as a bartender at Earth Eagle Brewings on High Street in the downtown, Bath said he’s sometimes asked if there are too many breweries in Portsmouth. He thinks the opposite is true. When Loaded Question opens, there will be five destination craft breweries in Portsmouth.

Also in the West End, Dane Nielsen and Dagan Migirditchn opened Liar’s Bench last year at 459 Islington St., in a former storeroom for Murray Plumbing Supply. New West End brewers Scott and Kristen Thornton opened Great Rhythm Brewing Company last August in an abandoned fish-processing plant next to Ricci Lumber off Bartlett Street. The Portsmouth Brewery downtown and Loaded Question will make it five.

A nuclear engineer, who worked as a designer for a national sporting goods retailer, Bath said brewing beer combines science and art. Water chemistry, fermenter geometry and experimentation all play important roles, he said.

Loaded Question will brew with a three-barrel system, making 90-gallon batches. Sales will be through in-house tap sales, growlers and local distribution.

Bath said he’ll “definitely have hoppy beers,” along with a variety of brews that change with seasons and whims.

21 May, 2017