Yankee Brew News Archive

A New Revolution in Concord: Craft Brewery Debuts in Historic Mass. Town

Originally Published: 02/97

By: Bob DiCesare

Nestled between a service station and a kayak shop, you'd never know that Concord Junction Brewing Company existed at 152 Commonwealth Avenue off Route 62 in West Concord.

"As long as our product is visible and valued to consumers, we have no problem with location,'' said Concord Junction co-owner Jon Cahill.

Cahill and fellow co-owner Brett Pacheco founded Concord Junction last February and, keeping the town's revolutionary history in mind, began producing their flagship product, Concord Pale Ale, on the Fourth of July.

Concord Junction's draft version can be found locally in 15 different restaurants and night spots. Bottled beer can now be purchased throughout Massachusetts since the brewery recently signed a contract with distributor United Liquors Ltd. in West Bridgewater.

"Concord Pale Ale has a West Coast flavor to it, similar to Sierra Nevada Pale Ale," said Pacheco, 30, who is also the head brewer. "It's characterized by its clean, clear finish. I think it's distinct from other Massachusetts pale ales because of its British feel in grain choices."

Cahill, also 30, and Pacheco have been friends since high school. After graduating from St. John's Prep (Danvers) in 1984, Cahill went to Holy Cross while Pacheco attended Tufts University.

Pacheco was an electrician and home brewer while Cahill worked behind the scenes at WGBH-TV in Boston before both decided to take on their current venture.

They incorporated their business in March, 1993, and Pacheco attended the craft brewers apprentice program in Emoryville, California, and graduated in November, 1995.

Cahill and Pacheco chose a closed-down, belt-weaving factory at 152 Commonwealth Avenue for their three-man operation, and there's been ups and downs ever since.

"It's a chance to run our own business,'' said Cahill. I'm handling the business and marketing while Brett and Paul Lavallee (assistant brewer) take care of the product."

"Since February, it has literally been three phases: financing, construction, and making and selling beer. Our short-term objective is to make a consistent, quality craftbrew that has long-term appeal.

"Re-orders were a key. It's selling where available and people seem to like the product. That's when I knew we had a shot in a hot-but-tough market. We're looking for slow and steady growth with a long shelf life. If we can achieve that, then maybe we'll try something new in the spring. Right now, the emphasis is developing a loyalty base with the pale ale. We do not want to become a flash-in-the-pan product."

Concord Junction uses a 20-barrel DME system and can make 40 barrels a week. An added feature behind the brewery is a silo for storing grain. Also present in the rear of the brewery is a postcard-like view of Nashoba Brook with a wooden, cross-over bridge to reach a nearby parking lot.

Cahill is also using his business savvy by blending the town's rich history of revolutionaries and writers with the presentation of Concord Pale Ale.

"Concord is a historical place and is very protective of its history,'' said Cahill. "We're respectful of it as well. We use a low-key, yet classic packaging label (bottle, glass, and quill). It might be too subtle, but it is classy. The Concord Museum even plans to display it in the springtime."

In the meantime, Cahill and Pacheco can be heard on the airwaves every Saturday morning from 11 a.m. to 12 noon as co-hosts of "The Beer Garden", a call-in show that can be heard on WADN 1120 AM in Concord.

"We want Concord Pale Ale to be the house beer in Middlesex County," said Cahill. "It's an achieveable goal, and then there's no going back. Right now, sales and marketing is half the battle with a new product."