Moby Dick Brewing Co Spouts New Life into New Bedford

Moby Dick Brewery / Photo by Nicolaus Czarnecki

New Bedford, MA  – The first thing you might notice is the large windows and inviting outdoor seating.  You might also start humming a sea chanty as you take in artifacts of New Bedford’s historic whaling and fishing history and authentic artwork and photography. It’s all part of the allure of the new, 4,300sf Moby Dick Brewing, Co. building built by South Coast Improvement of Marion that recently opened diagonally across the intersection from the New Bedford Whaling Museum at the intersection of Union and Water streets in the city’s historic district.

Kevin Caldwell, of Caldwell Architectural Associates in New Bedford, was the project’s architect.

The cozy bistro includes a small retail area for memorabilia, pub-style menu items and a 10-barrel brewery operation behind the bar area.  One hundred seats welcome patrons to enjoy hand-crafted brews and simple dishes with a local flair – including salt cod chowder, sweet potato and apple soup and pan-seared scallops. The beers boast grain-to-glass goodness and include different references to Herman Melville’s epic novel such as Ishm-ale Ale, Stove Boat Dry Irish Stout and Simple Sailor American Lager.

“We are delighted to bring this landmark pub and all its historic texture to the region,” noted Tom Quinlan, CEO of South Coast. “We enjoyed working closely with the investors to deliver a showcase and tribute the area’s salty charms.”

The investment team for the $1.3 million project included David Slutz; Maureen Sylvia Armstrong, CEO of the Sylvia Group in Dartmouth; Peter Kavanaugh, owner of Brownell Boat Stands in Mattapoisett and president of La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries in Dartmouth; Richard Lafrance, CEO of Lafrance Hospitality, which operates the New Bedford Fairfield Inn & Suites and White’s of Westport, among other hotel and restaurant holdings; and Bob Unger, principal of Unger LeBlanc Inc. Strategic Communications.

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell noted, “The brewery is another significant addition to the downtown.  That is a very prominent corner and this new business will really stand out.”