Roslindale Finally Gets a Brewery of Its Own

At long last, Roslindale has a brewery of its very own. Distraction Brewing Company (2 Belgrade Ave.) debuted over the weekend, unveiling its 80-seat taproom and a selection of pale ales, IPAs, and porters.

The brewery opened in conjunction with Roslindale Open Studios, a weekend celebration of local artisans and creators, and it served as a host.

“We were very pleasantly surprised just to see how many folks came in,” co-founder Patrick French told Eater. French has been working with Distraction’s other two co-founders Mike Estey and Justin Garnache to get their 10-barrel brewhouse up and running since late 2017, together with their spouses — JoAnna French, Lora Estey, and Lauren Peter — and with business partner Ren Layne.

“Our wives have always been equal players in this and we truly all work together as a team to get things done,” French said. “Frankly, we couldn’t have gotten to where we are without them.”

Distraction took over the former Emack & Bolio’s space in a historic triangular building, which figures prominently in the brewery’s logo.

French said Distraction did a few test runs with friends and family before opening for the neighborhood event, where people came in to see the artists and sample beers. The brewery opened for limited hours over the weekend and will pick up with a Thursday-through-Sunday schedule this week, operating from 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. French said they may expand hours down the line but will do so incrementally.

“The last thing we want to do is run out of beer at 5 o’clock on a Saturday,” he said.

While Distraction’s anchoring lineup will eventually feature six beers available in full and half pours, it’s starting out with four: RoslinPale (a pilsner-like pale ale), Hoppily Distracted (a New England-style IPA), Bank on Brown (a brown ale that’s a nod to the building’s former life as a bank), and Belgrade Tripel (a blend of two Belgian styles). Distraction doesn’t serve food, but customers are welcome to bring in their own.

“We’re surrounded by a number of amazing restaurants in Roslindale Square as it is,” French said, encouraging customers to take advantage of the neighborhood offerings. The brewery will eventually offer pre-packaged snacks and some kid-friendly drinks like juice boxes as well.

While Distraction is Roslindale’s first official brewery, it’s not the only local brewer slinging pints in the neighborhood: Jamaica Plain’s Turtle Swamp Brewing operates a now-permanent beer hall inside the historic Roslindale Substation, where customers can bring in their own food or get another neighborhood staple, Exodus Bagels, on weekends.

Update 10/24: This story has been updated to reflect additional contributions to and partners in the business.

• Boston’s Next Brewery, Distraction Brewing, Debuts in Roslindale [MBB]
• Distraction Brewing Company Coverage on Eater [EBOS]
• Distraction Brewing [Official Site]