Picture this: You take the exit for Downton New Bedford off the highway onto Route 18. As you approach the downtown you are met with views of the working waterfront and the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey on the left and historic buildings in the Whaling National Historical Park on the right. Taking the turn onto Union Street, one of the main streets in the city, the cobblestones hum and whir under your tires. Within the first block on either side are various local restaurants to greet the weary traveler, each with unique offerings. You are hungry; you are parched. Park, stretch your legs, and choose the cure for what ails you.
Did someone say ales? If it’s a freshly brewed craft beer you seek, Moby Dick Brewing Company is prepared to quench your thirst after your journey. Brewmaster Scott Brunelle has over twenty years of professional experience in the world of craft beer and brewing, winning awards for his creations at Massachusetts breweries like Rock Bottom and Harpoon. The beer menu speaks to Brunelle’s expertise with a resumé of crisp lagers, clear refreshing Pilsners, and full-bodied balanced ales. Lagers tend to be less forgiving with flaws in fermentation and their subtle flavor profiles won’t mask any inconsistencies. One of the Moby Dick Brewing Co. flagships, Simple Sailor, an American-style lager, is a testament to Brunelle’s dedication to process.
Speaking of dedication, the establishment’s tagline, “We’re brewing history,” permeates the details of the business, such as the naming of their beers. The Ishm-ale, an Irish-style amber, and The Pulpit, a New England IPA, honor Herman Melville’s novel Moby-Dick, partly inspired by his time in New Bedford. The lunch and dinner menus feature popular New Bedford staples like Portuguese steak, a Cacoila sandwich, Portuguese stuffed quahogs, Mozambique mussels, and more. In addition, there are a variety of lighter fare and some vegan and gluten-free items.
Located on the corner of Union Street and South Water Street, Moby Dick Brewing Co. occupies an industrial building in what was once a whaling supply district in the nineteenth century and tropical fruit wholesale district in the twentieth century. The business opened in 2017 after the completion of renovations to the 1927 building, becoming the first brewery in the city in over forty years. In addition to the brewery, restaurant, and store, the establishment recently added a tap room called, “The Launch,” which can be utilized for private events. Head to Moby Dick Brewing Co. to enjoy one of Scott Brunelle’s craft beers on-site with delicious food, lounge with friends in the tap room, or bring some beer home by purchasing cans and growlers.
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