USA, MA: 7 Saws Brewing Company opens new Holden location

“We did it,” Paul Mulroy said enthusiastically, as he and partners Tom Anderson and Troy Milliken stood next to equipment in their new brewery, The Landmark reported on October 29.

The 7 Saws Brewing Company opened its new location, a newly constructed facility at 112 Industrial Drive in Holden, this past weekend, and welcomed customers, friends, family and others who helped them plan, build and open the new site.

And neighbors dropped by, such as Woodmeister workers — themselves customers — who had stepped up to craft tables when the furniture 7 Saws ordered was lost en route to the brewery.

“It’s surreal,” Anderson said, reflecting on the journey from successful small brewery in a historic Main Street location to a new facility. “It’s a feeling that you can’t explain.”

As people gathered for the soft opening Oct. 21, the effusive feelings were shared by others at the bar, at tables inside and outside, and standing in small groups. Laughing, talking, sharing stories and chatting, people were in a place where, if not everybody knows your name, they are willing to learn it.

Anderson said he had never put a feeling on what it would be like as they worked toward their goal even as COVID-19 delayed the process.

“We have been so heads down,” he said, “I can’t stop to think. It’s just like a tidal wave of relief and joy.

“It’s a wonderful thing.”

The new site includes far more space than the Main Street location, adding gathering spaces and outdoor areas that can accommodate more people, but also be divided for private events.

It took longer than anticipated, but the partners and their families kept going forward, with the support of the community, Anderson said.

“This was the 7 Saws family commitment across the board,” he said.

From the owners and their wives and families to staff, “It was an absolute 7 Saws community effort, period.”

“We wanted to try this as a unit,” Mulroy said. “We’re a community company, everybody working in unison.”

Seeing so many people that have made this possible, Anderson said, showed that people supported them.

“The community around us have embraced us and provided us such a wonderful foundation that has propelled us.”

The space is for the community, Anderson said.

“Drink well, do good,” Anderson said. “We live by that motto.”

The brewery has a simple goal:

“We want people to come here and have a comfortably warm, enjoyable experience that allows them to relax, decompress and feel they are a part of something,” he said.

“It’s making awesome beer that brings people together,” he added, noting 7 Saws has a good team that makes it possible.

“Every decision was made around how to bring people together” and encourage people to “Just enjoy life.”

Though the location is new, the goal was to capture some of the feel of the Main Street taproom, with its century-old ambience.

“We wanted to create a similar environment with more space, and outdoor space, where kids can run around and with space for private events,” Anderson said.

“The older place was small, but it isn’t going away,” he said.

The Main Street taproom had adapted and managed through COVID, and Anderson wanted to thank those who supported them.

“We can’t thank the community enough. All of our neighbors. We can’t thank them enough for their patience and support of our business,” Anderson said, acknowledging some stress as the taproom had to shift to use of outdoor space and noise issues.

“We truly thank them,” from business neighbors like Miles Funeral Home to residents who share the Main Street area.

“They’ve been great.”

With the new brewery, 7 Saws is retaining the taproom.

“As of now, the plan is to keep the existing taproom on Main Street.”

But with expanded capacity and retaining some small batch ability, “We’re very excited about our ability to experiment.”

With the combination of spaces, he clarified: “We’re super excited about it. We love that space.”

Pouring beer, wine and cider, Anderson said they also tried to “create an environment so a nondrinker is comfortable as well.”

All around, the essence of the business was in evidence: People talking, sharing between family, friends and neighbors. And he said the taproom had allowed for rekindling friendships with old classmates. And even tested people’s memories with trivia.

Food trucks will continue to complement the 7 Saws libations.

Anderson said the process, delayed by COVID, was made easier with the help the community offered.

That included permitting.

“The town of Holden has been so awesome in helping us navigate,” with a new business needing permits and inspections on top of building regulations.

“It’s a testament to our business, and how many businesses stayed in business” through COVID and decided to expand and build a new building during the pandemic.

“We look forward to seeing everyone,” Anderson said.

One of those was Joey Flournoy, who said he was the taproom’s first customer when they opened after initially serving at Specialty Sandwich.

He is a regular, noting it was his 178th week stopping at the taproom.

“There’s something about this that just pulls you in. They have people who are hanging out,” he said, noting employees and customers adhere to the concept, “Drink well, do good.”

“They come here when they’re not working,” Flournoy said about the staff, an indication that 7 Saws has created a community as much as a business.

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