Peek Inside Winter Hill Brewing Company, Opening Imminently in Somerville

Winter Hill Brewing Company will open in about two weeks in Somerville. Formerly a cell phone store, 328 Broadway has been converted into a cozy, 2,650-square-foot taproom and cafe full of glossy wood and giant windows. Go in the morning for wifi and coffee; go in the evening for interesting sandwiches, sides, salads, and more — and of course, beer.

Head brewer and co-owner Jeff Rowe is an alum of Harpoon and Cape Cod Beer, while general manager Bert Holdredge has worked the front of house at Moe's Tavern in Lee and The Publick House in Brookline. They've been laying the groundwork for the brewery over the past five years. Originally referred to as Indignant Brewing Company, "it's been an ever-evolving concept," Rowe previously wrote on the brewery's website. "But with the help of many, we've arrived at a concept that we couldn't be happier with; a concept we can't wait to share...At the end of the day, we're a small business that is looking to create something special."

Peek inside the space:

Grid View

• Winter Hill Brewing Company general manager Bert Holdredge is a carpenter by trade and built much of the taproom, including the bar top, tables, and deep wooden window frames.
• A portion of the wall near the front door features shingles from an old Dutch barn.
• The essentials: coat hooks and outlets.
• There will always be five beers available, including two year-round staples — a cream ale and an IPA. The other three slots will rotate. When the taproom opens, look for an imperial stout, a North American strong ale, and a black IPA.
• The space seats 60 inside and 40 on a patio that will probably open up a few weeks after the taproom.
• From 7 a.m to 1 p.m. (to start), Winter Hill Brewing Company will operate as a "fully functioning cafe" with wifi and the works. It'll change over to a taproom from 4 p.m. to midnight.
• The front window looks onto bustling Broadway. There's a development in the works across the street that will one day include luxury condos and a restaurant.
• You won't find Winter Hill Brewing Company beers outside of this space. In the fashion of old European breweries, this beer is made in-house, for the house.

Stay tuned for an opening date — it'll be imminent. Keep track of the brewery's final bits of progress on Facebook.