Worcester’s Double Down Brewing Company is expanding from its flagship location on Park Avenue into the rural mountainside of Mount Wachusett.
In collaboration with Princeton’s Mountainside Bakery & Café, the companies will launch “Double Down on Mountainside,” during Memorial Day weekend, on Saturday, May 25, at noon.
“This will be a classic beer garden,” said Christian McMahan, Double Down Brewing Company co-founder.
The building is situated on the side of Mount Wachusett, creating what McMahan believes is “one of those great places to go have a beer — post-hike or pre-hike.”
He said when he moved to Central Mass. seven years ago, the 213 Mountain Side Road location was “all boarded up,” until Mountainside Bakery & Café owners, Katherine Huck and Robin Springfield, purchased the space and transformed it.
Mountainside Bakery & CaféChristian McMahan
“I always thought it’d be the perfect place for a beer garden,” said McMahan, adding he spoke with the owners over breakfast a few times about the possibilities.
Guests who visit this location can “almost see views of Boston’s skyline,” said McMahan.
Offerings will include craft beer, seltzers, ciders and wine. Guests can look forward to seasonal offerings, such as Summer Lemon Wheat, Blood Orange Wheat, Peaches & Dreams, Captain Crisp Lager and #11 Belgian White.
The Princeton location was previously home to the third Mount Wachusett State Reservation superintendent, who retired the residency in 1969, according to Telegram & Gazette.
Mountainside Bakery & Café owners Huck and Springfield became the curators of the space after the state Department of Conservation and Recreation announced in 2015 four buildings would be included in a curatorship program.
Currently, the Mountainside Bakery & Café offers breakfast, lunch, coffee and espresso drinks, and a full pastry bar.
Guests will have the option of sipping on craft brews and dining on local cuisine all summer long at Mountainside Bakery & Cafe.Christian McMahan
In a release shared with MassLive, Huck said the partnership will allow Mountainside Bakery & Café to extend its hours and offer something “truly special to our visitors and community.”
“Our focus has been all about creating a relaxing environment where people can find great food right in the heart of the Wachusett State Park Reservation,” she said.
“Double Down’s tap room at Mountainside boosts our goal of fostering an ecotourism hub where families, visitors and our community will find great food and great beer while enjoying this historic property.”
McMahan said Double Down on Mountainside will be offered every Saturday from noon until 8 p.m., and every Sunday from noon until 6 p.m. until mid-June.
“We are going into it with an open mind,” said McMahan. “We’ll learn and see what people like.”
