A new craft brewery, called Bright Side, will be taking over a 2,200 square-foot vacant space at the Lebanon Municipal Airport in the spring, according to brewery owner and airport officials.

The two groups reached a three-year agreement that would relegate Bright Side to pay $12,100 annually. The deal was signed in November 2019 and both parties couldn’t be more pleased.

“This will create traffic and exposure to the airport outside of our limited commercial air traffic,” said Interim Airport Manager Chris Christopoulos. “The general flying public has expressed excitement to have a place to fly into for lunch.”

Grantham contractor and brewery owner David Albright indicated that the setting is ideal for his new business.

“This is the best spot I found in my two-and-a-half year search,” said Albright. “It was pretty much set up as a restaurant previously, so it has a lot of the bones. A lot of the good structure is there.”

During that search, Albright came across West Lebanon’s Seven Barrel Brewery and, within weeks, purchased their tanks before putting them at the airport. Seven Barrel was sold in 2016 to Salt Hill Pub.

“We’re keeping the equipment right there in town,” said Albright. “It’s going to be basically the same system that was there before.”

So, similar to Seven Barrel, the new Bright Side brewery will produce a variety of beers focusing on a regular line of pale ales, IPAs, India pale ales and brown ales.

“We’re going to make four beers that we’ll have on tap all the time,” said Albright. “The other ones we’ll offer will be different kinds of beers that we’ll decide to make at the time. Everybody’s palate is different.”

Light food or bites will also be available to patrons. Albright has applied for a nano plus license from the state that would allow him to sell full pints and offer light meals without having to operate a full-service restaurant. He said he has not decided yet on what kinds of eatable tidbits will be available.

Albright has been brewing his own beer at his house for over 20 years. He took a short break because he grew tired of making five-gallon batches but got back into the business sometime after because he “really enjoys it”.

Albright has received a federal brewing approval and is currently awaiting the state of New Hampshire to give its nod. He related that he and the city of Lebanon have been negotiating a lease for the airport space since last January. All of the permitting has been done by his wife, Lisa.

“She’s done most of the leg work,” said Albright. “I couldn’t have done this without her.”

Construction will begin as soon as Albright gets state and city approval. The airport space, which lies on the north side of the airport terminal building, has water and sewer hookups required for a brew operation. He noted that, as a contractor, he will be doing much of the rebuilding but that subcontractors will also be brought in.