The Dorchester Brewing Company (DBCo.) building on Massachusetts Avenue has been sold to an abutting trade union in a deal that will not impact the ongoing operations of the popular brewery.

Travis Lee, of TLee Development, sold the building at 1246-1250 Massachusetts Ave. for $10.18 million in late November to an LLC controlled by the Plumbers and Gasfitter’s Local 12 union, which owns the property next door to the brewery at 1240 Massachusetts Ave.

Lee said the sale will allow the DBCo. to stay in place in the near term with a lower lease payment. “I had the opportunity to sell the building,” he added, “and have the business end up with a lower occupancy cost for the next couple of years, which is desperately needed,” said Lee.

In a statement to The Reporter this week, Plumbers Local 12 Business Manager James Vaughan confirmed the sale.

“We see this as a long-term opportunity to grow in the community where we have been located for
more than 40 years,” he said. “There’s a likelihood that in coming years the union will need to expand and/or replace its existing facilities. This deal meets the current needs of our valued small business neighbor as they navigate their future but also provides a path forward for our union as we grow and offer training programs that bring good middle class jobs into the community.”

Dorchester Brewing Co. CEO Matt Malloy said the sale is good news for the brewery, despite rumors to the contrary.

“A lot of people thought we were selling the business and we’re definitely not doing that,” Malloy said in an interview on Dec. 27. “When you’re a small business and you can take a large rent payment off the books, that is really good news. It’s very positive news for us. I was leasing from Travis Lee and now I’m leasing from the Plumber’s Union.”

Malloy said the brewery has changed other things recently within its operations, including shutting down its contract brewing business. That was a side business whereby they brewed beers for other brands in their facilities, a common line of business for small breweries.

“The beer market is changing and ever fluid,” said Malloy. “We were brewing beer for 12 to 14 other breweries at a time. We changed that line of business. But our tap room and wholesale business is continuing…You adjust to the market, and we’re set up for success now for the next couple of years.”

Malloy noted that DBCo operates a brisk party and function rental business to add to their daily operations at the Mass. Avenue spot. In January and February, they are waiving all room fees for rental spaces. And this month they will be unveiling a product that is not yet ready for a full announcement, but one they are excited about.

“In the month of January, we’re going to launch a really unique product that will transform us almost into a full bar,” he hinted, saying the community should stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks.