(Sussex, NB) - Sussex long known for dairy, its balloon festival and the gateway to Fundy now has a brewery and taproom. Rick Lockhart long time resident of the town is the owner and operator of Sussex Ale Works Inc. Mr Lockhart used to work away in the mining industry, but after many years of working in almost every province in Canada and some overseas work, decided to come home and spend more time with his family. He wanted to follow his passion for craft beer and open a craft brew pub on his own but lacked the experience and know how to move into commercial brewing and operate a pub business. He had heard of a new craft brew pub/coffee roaster business in Alma, NB about 60 km from Sussex. He approached the owners of the Holy Whale Brewing Company and convinced them to hire him to assist in the build and operation of their brewery.
Sussex Ale Works brewhouse is a 1 BBL, Stout Tanks and Kettles system with 4-1 BBL fermenters and a 2 BBL fermenter. Besides the licenced brewery it also has a special facility licence for a taproom with a capacity for 40 patrons. Future plans include applying for an agency store licence with ANBL, which when approved they will be able to fill growlers, with their own product for take away. Mr Lockhart plans on brewing specialty ales and lagers with some seasonal products using as many local ingredients as possible.
They currently offer a great line up of local beers, ciders and sodas, in a comfortable and inviting environment for the people of Sussex and visitors to our area to come in and enjoy. A lot of detail went into the construction of the taproom, with the help from Kim Jakobsen Design in Saint John, NB. They have strived to repurpose as much materials as possible in the construction such as the used brick bar front and a well worn pew bench from the Holy Whale.
Sussex Ale Works is now open seven days a week from 5 PM to 10 PM Monday to Thursday and Noon to 10 PM from Friday to Sunday at 597B Main Street in Sussex.
