Moderation Brewing Officially Opens Inside Brunswick, Maine’s Old Fire Station

Just a few years after Brunswick’s historic Central Fire Station shut down and operations moved to a new facility on Pleasant Street, the iconic downtown building has found exciting new life.

Moderation Brewing has officially opened its new space at 21 Town Hall Place.

It’s a transformation years in the making, turning one of the town's most recognizable buildings into a fresh community gathering space while still holding on to a piece of the town’s history.

When Does Moderation Brewing in Brunswick, Maine, Open at the Old Fire Station?

Plans for Moderation Brewing to expand to a larger place were shared back in 2023, with a new target home being the old fire station.

The brewery project, which also included plans for affordable housing, was later approved by the Brunswick Town Council, making way for a major redevelopment of the town’s historic Central Fire Station into a mixed-use commercial and residential complex that has been under renovation ever since.

Then, on May 23, Moderation Brewing posted on Facebook the announcement that it was open. Granted, a soft opening, as they continue to work things out, but an opening nevertheless.

The brewery's last day in its original location on Maine Street was on Saturday, May 16.

What's the History of the Central Maine Fire Station in Brunswick, Maine?

According to the Town of Brunswick's website, the Central Maine Fire Station was built in 1919 and served as the main hub for town firefighters until 2023.

The move over a century later to Pleasant Street was an upgrade in size and safety across the board, from the truck bay to the living quarters to the admin offices. It's a real jump into the future for the crews dedicated to the town in an emergency.

And while Moderation Brewing has taken over the fire station, it's redevlopment plans included keeping that legacy.

On its website, the brewery states: "The Central Fire Station will enable us to continue [our expansion and brewery goals] while also preserving a building that has been a key part of Brunswick’s history. We want to restore the facade and the firefighting medallions and decorations on the tower. The location will enable us to create a large outdoor beer garden and park that can host events, food vendors, and maker’s markets."

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A new chapter has finally begun for the downtown Central Fire Station location, and it looks like a great place to stop in and grab a drink (or stay a while to hang with friends).

It's wild to think that a building that spent more than 100 years serving the community in one way will now be serving it in another, now providing a place where people can gather together in the heart of Brunswick.