By KATIE SHAW
STAFF WRITER
KINGSTON — Dan Williams started brewing his own beer several years ago, and decided that he liked it enough to want to do it full time.
Dan and his wife Kristen will open Downpour Brewing in Kingston, next to Cup & Muffin, hopefully this August.
Downpour Brewing will produce many different types of hand-crafted beers: IPAs, pale ales, stouts, porters, wheat beers and recipes unique to the brewery. Customers can sample them in the brewery’s tasting room, through which Williams hopes to sell most of his product.
By brewing the beer in small batches, Downpour Brewing will be able to provide a large selection. Family and community are a big part of Williams’ vision.
“Whether you come in with friends, your kids, your grandparents, whoever it is, we want them to feel welcome,” Williams said.
Downpour won’t serve food, but will allow customers to bring their own food in. Though it won’t have a menu, snacks will be available.
The brewery will be family-friendly as well, serving its own root beer and cream soda and two local ciders. There will be a children’s play area.
Williams likes to experiment with unique recipes, especially incorporating local ingredients from the Kingston Farmers Market. He recently brewed a lemon basil wheat beer.
Williams, who came from New Jersey, brewed during his free time. When he had major shoulder surgery last year and couldn’t work, he started brewing every day. He found a place in Kingston, where Sack’s Feed & Garden used to be.
“My wife and I love Kingston and would be a great addition to the community,” Williams said.
Williams has signed the lease on the building and has an approved liquor license. He is still waiting for permits before he’ll be able to do any brewing, but he hopes to introduce himself and his business during the Fourth of July celebrations and do some kickstarting in the coming months.
Once open, Williams plans to donate a portion of the monthly sales to local non-profits.
“Bringing new businesses to town is critical to growing economic vitality,” said Nancy Langwith of the Greater Kingston Economic Development Committee.
According to a survey done by the committee, Kingston residents want more things to do downtown; a brewery would be good for residents, as well as for attracting visitors passing through the port, Langwith said.
