Ogie Brewing – Structural Renovations of Antique Building to Support Brewing Equipment

Photo Credit Ogie Brewing

We had the pleasure of helping a new nano brewery in Milford, NH, Ogie Brewing, come to life by designing structural improvements so the building could support the brewing equipment. 

 This location is Ogie Brewing’s first production location, and they chose a great spot at the Milford Oval on 12 South Street. The building was originally constructed in 1789, and like most buildings of its vintage, was built with rough-sawn lumber, likely including whatever hemlock trees were in arm’s reach. We analyzed the first-floor framing for the brewing equipment weights, and to no surprise, the original framing was inadequate. We were able to design simple improvements to the framing to be implemented from the basement below. These improvements included leaving the original wood joists and beams in place and supplementing them with new wood beams and posts at strategic locations. The new framing supports the highly concentrated loads associated with the small legs of the brewing equipment. Here’s a great photo of the completed brewing room, ready for production!

Photo Credit Ogie Brewing

(And for nostalgia, I frequented this building as a kid when it was Bravo’s pizza and arcade – so great to visit again and see the place put to good use!)