FREDERICTON, NB – CBC News New Brunswick reports that Northampton Brewery, the company better known for its Picaroons Traditional Ales brand, is planning for a major expansion into an historic building in Fredericton’s northside area.
The company has purchased the Gibson Roundhouse, a former railway roundhouse on Union Street in Fredericton, from the city for $100. Owner Sean Dunbar says that Picaroons will invest several million dollars in building a new brewery in the building, along with “a community meeting space, an historic interpretation centre, public parking and washrooms for those using the northside trail.”
Once the new brewery opens in 2014, Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside estimates that it will bring in $85,000 to $120,000 per year in taxes, making the $100 sale a smart move on the part of the city.
While not mentioned in the article, it’s likely that the Picaroons Brewtique retail store and small brewery in downtown Fredericton will remain open after the new brewery is up and running, but it’s unclear if the current production brewery at 55 Melissa Street will be shuttered or continue to operate.