Olde Salem Brewery
John Athanafopoulos opened the first brew pub in Salem calling it Olde Salem Brewery & Grill, in 1995, after renovating an old car dealership at 278 Derby Street. It sat across from the Brother's Deli, which is owned and operated by the Athanafopoulos and his family.
Brew pubs, aka microbreweries became popular in the mid 1990's as people stopped drinking the quantities of beer, but wanted more variety and higher quality. Brew pubs brew beer on the premises, offering glass windows so you can view the process. Some offers tours, sell T-shirts, and sell the beer bottled.
The Brewery will also serve a full menu, featuring mostly barbeque and appetizer items, cooked from open kitchens in full view of the customer.
After only one year in business, Athanafopoulos sold his business to Boston Beer Works, who own a restaurant near the Fenway in Boston and wish to expand their business.
See Also
"City's first brew pub to open on Derby Street" Salem Evening News, Feb. 23, 1995, p. 11
