Small Town Brewers Transition to Public Taproom with 7 Balls Brewing

Get ready, Bellows Falls — there's a new brewery in town with deep local roots, bold flavors and a name you're not likely to forget. 7 Balls Brewing, a project born out of friendship, laughter and a shared love for craft beer, is set to open its doors this fall at 94 Rockingham Street. The story behind 7 Balls Brewing begins with four lifelong friends who grew up in the area and have known each other since elementary school. Their brewing journey started over eight years ago, experimenting in their own kitchens. But as the messes grew — and so did the passion — they moved their operations to a more industrial setup, turning their weekend hobby into a full-blown obsession. The decision to open a public taproom wasn't made overnight. It came from persistent encouragement by friends, family and neighbors who knew the team's beer was something special. "Being a part of the positive energy in Bellows Falls is really what prompted us in our late 50s to start this new venture," explained Chris Sherwin, one of the three owners. Sherwin also gave a lot of credit to West LA Brewery from Swanzey for supplying them with all their equipment and their help after the closing of their brewery last October. "Ryan (Gale) and Dave (Smith) have been very helpful. After purchasing all their equipment, we are going to continue their legacy and are just about ready to start running brew through the tap," Sherwin added. So, why the name 7 Balls? There's a story — one with equal parts humor and heart. The name originated from the initials of the founders' last names. Scott Brandon, Steve Adams, Paul Lawrence and Chris Sherwin shuffled around the first letter of their last names until something memorable stuck. Though Brandon moved to South Carolina and is no longer involved, they kept the name as is. But it was a casual comment from one of the founders' wives that really clinched it: After one of the four beat testicular cancer and now lives with a little less in the equipment department, the math was clear — four guys, seven balls. And just like that, 7 Balls Brewing was born. It's a name that turns heads, starts conversations and most importantly, stands for something. From day one, the brewery has pledged a portion of its proceeds to support the fight against cancer — an effort that hits close to home for all of them. They also want to give back to the community and raise money for a scholarship and alumni fund. While the backstory might grab your attention, the beers are what will keep you coming back. Some of the beers 7 Balls Brewing plans to offer are: Lagers "Bat out of Helles" (6.5%), which is a robust festbier with a little extra punch to warm those colder Vermont days. "Scoop the Loop" (5%), a hybrid lager fermented like an ale, with proceeds going directly back into the local community. Ales "Hetty's Honey Hole" (6%), a hazy New England pale ale featuring honey malt and English ale yeast for a sweet, full-bodied sip. "Kilt Lifter" (8%), a smooth, malty scotch ale that's as bold as its name. "Red Light Hill" (5%), a clean, classic red ale that's easy to love. "PIP: Party in your Pants" (6.6%), a hoppy red Ale that pays homage to Sierra Nevada's famed "Celebration Ale," but with a Vermont twist. IPAs "$hit Truck" (7.7%), a hazy New England DIPA brewed with citra hops and inspired by a funny miscommunication with Apple's virtual assistant Siri. 7 Balls Brewing isn't just about great beer — it's about community, resilience and having a good laugh in the face of life's challenges. To keep up with their grand opening and what's on tap, follow @7ballsbrewing on Instagram and Facebook, or visit their website at 7ballsbrewing.com. For inquiries, you can reach them at 7ballsbrewingllc@gmail.com.