World War II-themed microbrewery to enter Rockland
The Liberator Brewing Co., named for a World War II B-24 bomber, is scheduled to open late this spring in Rockland.
The PenBay Pilot reported that owner Rich Ruggiero formerly owned Rocky Bay Brewing and the Waterworks restaurant, both in Rockland. For his latest venture, a two-barrel microbrewery, he worked with Coastal Enterprises Inc. on business planning and financing assistance.
Ruggiero said that a tasting room license introduced by the state has made it feasible for a brewery to open for a relatively small amount of money and provides a revenue stream for nano breweries.
"It was difficult to open a brewery for under $100,000 until the tasting room license was introduced," he told the newspaper, adding that now it’s possible to do so for under $50,000. Also keeping costs low is the deployment of used equipment and help from friends and family for build-out.
Liberator carries a Farm Sustainable license that stipulates that a certain percentage of the ingredients Ruggiero uses must be locally produced. He said he is talking with Ducktrap River Hops in Lincolnville and Blue Ox Malthouse in Lisbon Falls.
The establishment will be decorated with posters depicting World War Two aircraft nose art and pieces from the collection of his father, a World War II aviator, of photos, medals and letters.
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