Work on Sanford’s third microbrewery has started in two vacant buildings on North Steele Street.
Wild Dogs Brewing will occupy two buildings at 136 and 138 North Steele Street, according to words painted on the window. A peek inside shows work in a very early stage, and Craig Krause, one of the company’s owners, said it’ll be late this year or early next before the doors are open.
“We’re very early in the process, but we’re looking to be open either by the end of this year or sometime in the spring,” he said. According to plans submitted to the city’s planning department, Krause wants to remove a non load bearing wall between the two buildings to maximize the 4,000 square feet of space, in which he will offer six beer taps and a simple food menu consisting of hot dogs, bratwursts, and bags of chips.
“We’ll have 7 or 8 barrels, and our beers will be very German-oriented,” he said. “Pilsners and traditional beers, maybe one IPA. We won’t be doing very many experimental beers.”
Hugger Mugger Brewing was Sanford’s first brewery, which opened in 2018. Camelback Brewing followed later that year. Krause said he’s lived in Sanford for about a year, and originally worked in the tech business.
“We’ve gotten a lot of help from Hugger Mugger as far as getting started,” Krause said. “It’s nice to be getting into a business that’s less competitive and more community minded.”
And while it’s not listed on the initial plans, Krause said he hopes that within a couple years of opening to be able to build a rooftop bar with a garden area.
Wild Dogs Brewing already has a Facebook page where you can see some of the company’s early progress. Go ahead and give them a like.
Dear Wild Dogs, please source a decent brochen to serve with the brats. I’ll come eat some. No pretzel rolls please. And if you can get close to a good old Schneider Weiss I will have a few of each. Leave the peaches, raspberries, coffee, caramel, etc. for a snack. Signed, An old fart who was stationed in Germany.
Doppel Bock!