Rusty Bus Brewing Co. is moving into 120 Lisbon St. in Lewiston in November. 2021 Submitted photo
LEWISTON — Four years in the making, this Rusty Bus Brewing is getting closer to reality for owners Peter and Nicole Ouellette.
Across the street from Rinck advertising and across the alley from Mother India, renovation continues at the 120 Lisbon St. property as the wheels of bureaucracy slowly turn. They are waiting on federal paperwork from the Department of Treasury and finalizing permits with the state and the city before they can open to the public.
The Ouellettes won a business incubator contest called JumpstartME last year, an initiative backed by the Downtown Lewiston Association and the LA Metro Chamber of Commerce.
The vision for the brew pub is community-oriented and the owners are planning to hold events like a first-responder night and similarly themed nights. Live music, comedy and trivia nights are also in the plans.
Brewmaster Peter Ouellette ultimately wants to put out 12 different brews on tap, but said he’ll likely start with six to eight. Look for a combination of several India pale ales, pale ales, lagers or Kölsch and of course a good, solid stout.
Rusty Bus Brewing wants to offer locally sourced ciders, some wine and nonalcoholic drinks as an alternative. Food will not come from a kitchen in the brewery, but Ouellette said they are talking with restaurants in the area to collaborate on bringing food in for patrons — restaurant owners take note!
As they get rolling, the plan is to open from 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday to Saturday and from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday. They hope to be open in time for July 4, but said they are aware of the realities of construction delays and increased wait times for paperwork, especially at the federal and state levels.
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