Oak and Iron Brewing Co - Andover MA

I used to work for a retail company and we would set up a pop up shop in the Everett Mills in Lawrence. The problem with Lawrence is the city just has an unfortunate reputation. The beer would have to be super desirable to get people to go.

Haven't heard about Oak and Iron, but will keep my eye out in the future, good area to open a brewery.

 

The Andover townsman or eagle tribune had an article maybe a year ago, believe the brewery is going to be Andover, Dundee park , by the train "station"

 

Lousy smarch weather

 

We are getting a brewery in Fitchburg, so hopefully Lawrence is next....

 

What brewery is that?

 

There was a great article by James Fallow in The Atlantic that touched on breweries and their impact on neighborhoods and municipalities. Not quoting verbatim, but something like "every town that is thriving doesn't have a brewery, but every town with a brewery is thriving." In other words, they bring in foot traffic and commerce, make a place desirable, more business comes in.

I love Lawrence and would love to see that happen.

 

Pretty good status on their FB page https://www.facebook.com/oakandironbrewing

Bar is going in and the brewhouse is installed. Tanks went in a week or two ago. Looks like they still have a ton of plumbing to do but they are making good progress. March might be wishful thinking, or maybe legit.

 

So true re. Lawrence, it's a cool place once people actually put their biases aside & you know, actually go there. But the truth is that many people from the Andovers would never set foot there for any reason.

As for Oak & Iron, it's near where I work so I'd like for it to be successful.

 

from last fall,
http://www.andovertownsman.com/news...cle_5e780c21-09d3-5126-a4b4-982e4da6b52d.html

"the brewery will open in January, with a number of classic craft beers and New England beers brewing at any given time, including their Flagship Amber Ale, Liberty Cream Ale, Ironclad American Stout, Dubliner Bourbon Irish Red Ale, and Black Bear Robust Porter"

one on hand, it's not a terribly exciting beer list, but at this point, after realizing that not everyone can do what TH & Trillium do, I like that it's Oak & Iron stouts & porters and not "Hazy McJuicerton's House of Hops" or whatever. fresh beer down the street is always a good thing. will definitely give these guys a shot.

 

I live in Methuen and am looking forward to a brewery close by. I will certainly visit and hope they succeed. I'll also echo the concerns about a less than existing beer list. The beer styles and names remind me of every brew pub I went to in the mid-'90's. Wishing them good luck.

 

River Styx

 

*exciting

 

It's been open for a few weeks now, anyone go yet?

 

Yup.

It's physically very appealing. Open concept and lots of, well, oak...and iron. Very limited food options. Very nice people.

They were running five or six taps at the time. Like others have said, I was REALLY happy to see they weren't just a half dozen IPA's (*cough*lordhobo*cough*) but there was nothing there I'd list as better than fair. I'll give them a few months to find their speed. I'm told there is a brown ale in the works that they are hoping to hang their hats on - I'll be curious how that launches.

 

Dropped by today for a couple quick pints ... their Acorn Ale (English Nut Brown Ale) was on point. Inky Depths (Porter) was pretty damn special. I need to drop by here again to try more, they only had 3 IPAs on which was refreshing as most brewery tap rooms stack their lists with IPAs and then sours.

 

Glad to see some love for this brewery. I stopped by there in early 2018 and was impressed with the beer and overall with the place. If I lived closer I'd probably stop in all the time. Great atmosphere. There are some great small neighborhood breweries out there making very good beer. These guys and Navigation are two great examples. I finally tried Amory's Tomb in Maynard this weekend and had a growler of one of their Saisons. Was really impressed it, definitely some place I'll be heading back to.

 

I stop in to Oak and Iron around once a month or so, it's on my way home. Parking can be an adventure at busy times.

I really like the Porter and have had some decent Saisons but I think their hoppy beers are pretty average.

Nonetheless I think it's a cool place to hang out for a few. Nice folks run it and it seems like it's doing well.