WORCESTER – After taking the bar exam, Mark Gawlak and his long-time friend Daniel Whalen were waiting tables at Brew City where their conversations often centered on sports … and torts.
The men were awaiting the results of their bar exams and one night, the conversation turned to beer brewing.
Whalen said he’d like to brew a concoction with pineapple and cinnamon and before long the pair had moved on to talk of opening a brewery together. The talk led them to a goal and five years ago they began the process of opening a brewery.
But in 2020, just as they figured they were ready, the Covid pandemic hit and their plans were shelved, along with so many others. The steps to opening dragged on longer than anticipated but on Friday, Sept. 29, the lawyers are officially flinging open the doors at Courthouse Brew, Inc. at 3 Brussels St., with Mayor Joseph Petty cutting the ribbon.
The brewery is in the historic M.J. Whittall Mills industrial building, 12 Brussels St., a space they both loved and have decorated with a courthouse theme.
“We have a gavel,” Gawlak said. “We’ll probably use it at last call.”
Their first beer was, for the record, the pineapple mix Whalen suggested. It’s known as Attractive Nuisance and has been a hit all summer as the brewery held a months-long sort of soft opening.
“It’s tangy and sweet and has a flavor profile you wouldn’t expect,” Gawlak said, adding that it’s his favorite – so far.
Since the first beer, the counselors have added a few more choices to their draft list, all bearing names derived from legal terms.
There’s Strict Scrutiny, described as “smooth and crushable, roasted malt with notes of brioche and toffee.”
And Next of Kin with 8.2 percent alcohol by volume is described as “citrusy and floral with notes of pine.”
Of course there’s Flight Risk, a fruity IPA with kiwi, strawberry and passionfruit, and Collaborative Agreement, a brown Ale with coffee and molasses, a joint venture with the nearby Acoustic Java.
Much of the fun has come in naming the beers, Gawlak admitted, and the list of potential names is growing.
While both men work as lawyers; Gawlak as a patent and trademark attorney and Whalen in estates, they are devoted to the brewery, as well. Gawlak laughed as he recalled how they met at one of their first jobs at Spag’s. They remained friends, both attending Worcester State University before enrolling at different law schools, ultimately landing back at work together as waiters.
Whalen grew up in the city while Gawlak was raised in Northbridge. With Worcester playing a central role in their lives, the men always planned the brewery would be here, Gawlak said.
The brewery doesn’t serve food but instead supports nearby eateries, keeping a stash of menus for patrons who want to order delivery. There’s also a good chance you’ll find a food truck nearby, Gawlak said. Patrons are welcome to bring their own food.
Contributor Kim Ring can be reached at kimringreporter@gmail.com
