USA, MA: Proposal for Rising Glass Brewing approved by North Adams’ Planning Board

A proposal for Rising Glass Brewing, located in the former Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 310 building on Curran Highway in North Adams, was approved by the city's Planning Board on February 12, the Berkshire Eagle reported.

Spearheaded by city resident Jonathan Spinney, the plans call for a 10-barrel brewery, taproom and canning operation with aspirations of opening in April 2019.

"We're planning on bringing a really interesting facade and working with that building, and making it a destination, a place that you want to be at because it's really cool," Spinney said.

It would be the city's second brewery and the first to open since 2016 when Bright Ideas Brewing opened its doors on the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art campus.

Spinney is currently an assistant brewer at Bright Ideas Brewing.

In addition to the brewery, Rising Glass would also have enough space in the existing kitchen to host three small, food-based businesses — one of which would provide food for the taproom while the others use the kitchen as an incubator for their businesses, according to the application.

"This versatility will help to allow future culinary endeavors to get off the ground and build a client base in the area," Spinney wrote to the Planning Board.

The plans also call for a performance space that would host a variety of artists and be open to rentals for weddings and other events, similar to those hosted by the Eagles organization.

On the south side of the building, a seasonal bar would be installed alongside a beer garden.

The brewery would rebuild the street-facing wall of the building as well as replace the lower portion of the building's roof, which will provide it the height necessary to install brewing equipment.

"The building itself is in rough condition. We're going to have to renovate the building extensively," Spinney told the Planning Board.

Though he does not own the building currently, Spinney said he is currently under contract to buy it and expects to close in the coming weeks.

"I think this is a great reuse of this building," said Planning Board member Brian Miksic.

The Planning Board unanimously approved the application on Monday, February 12.

20 February, 2018