The rumours are true: a new brewery is calling the Port of Hamilton home. Arts & Science Brewing Ltd. is a partnership between Collective Arts Brewing and Nickel Brook Brewing Co. The new brewery will take the space at 201 Burlington St. E. in Hamilton, owned by the Hamilton Port Authority, and last occupied by Lakeport Brewing.
Purpose-built by brewer Andrew Peller in 1947, the last bottle of beer was shipped from the facility in 2010 by Lakeport. After three empty years, the building will go back to its roots as a brewery.
“The old Lakeport building was meant to be a brewery,” says John Romano, co-founder of Nickel Brook Brewing Co. “The 50,000 square foot space will become our main brewing site, essential in increasing production and meeting the demands of our beer lovers on a larger scale.”
Brewing operations will occupy 40,000 square feet of the building and the balance of the space, 10,000 square feet, is slated for hospitality and retail. The hospitality area will also include a gallery and live music space. Arts & Science Brewing Ltd. is committed to creating a destination for craft beer lovers, artists and musicians. “Arts & Science Brewing is proud to bring a brewery that not only gives great beer back to the city, but also offers a new artistic hub,” says Matt Johnston, co-founder of Collective Arts Brewing.
“There are big things happening at the Port of Hamilton,” says Bruce Wood, Hamilton Port Authority President & CEO. “We’re committed to attracting new jobs and investment to Hamilton, and Arts & Science Ltd. is an example of the diverse mix of tenants we’re bringing on-board.”