HOPEDALE — It takes an inner strength to accomplish anything in life, but David Hughes said everyone has that strength hidden inside of them.
Hughes, a Hopedale resident, is using his inner strength to start Strong Side Brewing Company with the goal of inspiring others to find their inner power.
“I want to push a message of positivity and motivation,” said Hughes, 35. “Everyone has a slogan. That’s my slogan — everyone has a Strong Side, find yours. When facing adversity, as large or as small as it is, everyone has what it takes to overcome what is in front of them and to celebrate their achievements with a beer.”
Strong Side Brewing Company does not yet have a physical location. Instead, the beer is going to be brewed under contract at Start Line Brewing Company on Hayden Rowe Street in Hopkinton. Start Line and Strong Side released a collaboration beer called “Start Strong” — a double IPA — on Thursday, and it is available only on draft at Start Line.
“I’ll be doing recipe development and working closely with the team there to produce the beer,” said Hughes. “The word for our relationship is ‘incubator.’ They’re not just producing beer, but I’m working with the ownership and they’re helping me learn how to navigate the craft beer world.”
Hughes, an electrical engineer by trade, began homebrewing in 2010 and immediately fell in love with the hobby. Early on, he started thinking about opening a brewery. After winning a few homebrew competitions, he started Strong Side as an LLC (limited liability company) in 2018, and decided to go the contract route, at least to start.
Hughes, who is originally from Millbury, said he will start with three beers, all New England-style IPAs or double IPAs. He said the plan is to start selling them soon in kegs to bars and restaurants throughout Worcester County.
The eventual goal is to open his own brewery and taproom somewhere in southern Worcester County.
“Once I have my own location — and that is the goal, to open up my own taproom within the next two years — I will focus on branching out my styles to include stouts, sours and more traditional pale ales, IPAs and German beers,” he said.
Hughes, who said he observes a lot of motivational content online that has helped inspire him, said he hopes to inspire others with Strong Side Brewing.
“Everyone has the power to do what they want to do, whether it’s just getting out of bed in the morning or launching a new business and chasing after your dream,” he said.
Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or [email protected]. For up-to-date news, follow Norman Miller on Twitter @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime