Michael Godet, Chris Kerr and Jason Buck are the co-owners of Trágmar Ale Works, expected to open in Bristol in March. (Photo courtesy of Trágmar Ale Works)

Rhode Island has seen a rash of brewery closings in the past year, but it seems no brewing space can stay vacant for long.

The latest transition is in Bristol, where the owners of Six Pack Brewing announced in November they planned to close the business after a four-year run. Owners Mark, Debbie and Liz opted to say goodbye to the brewery as Liz and her husband Craig prepare to welcome a new baby.

Within days of the brewery’s final call, a new business announced plans to open in the space: Trágmar Ale Works is owned by three Six Pack regulars who’ve been working on opening a brewery for the past year.

“We’re hoping tentatively to be open sometime around March,” says Chris Kerr, co-owner alongside Jason Buck and Michael Godet.

The three friends bonded in a way common for today’s small brewery owners: over a love of craft beer and a mutual dream of opening up their own space. Buck and Godet are neighbors in Bristol, while Kerr met Buck, an Air Force veteran, when the two worked together at a defense contracting company. Godet, the primary brewer of the three, has several years of experience working as a brewer at Vigilant Brewing Company and has completed the professional craft brewing certificate program at Johnson and Wales University.

“We’ve all had thoughts of opening something like this for a long time,” Kerr says.

While they plan to continue some of Six Pack’s regular events, the owners say patrons can expect a different feel from Trágmar. Paying tribute to Kerr’s Irish heritage — he emigrated to the United States in 2007 — their goal is to create a brewery that feels like an Irish pub. That means stouts and Irish red ales on draft, plus an emphasis on other traditional styles.

“We’re going to mix it up, do all kinds of different styles for the market, but we want to try to bring back some of those old-world styles and historical styles as well,” Kerr says.

They also plan to host Irish musicians and traditional sessions, plus food trucks on busier days. For those mourning the loss of Six Pack, the owners say not to fear too much change. The location will still offer a mug club and maintain its signature dog-friendly vibe.

With its Irish theme, the owners are hoping for a grand opening on St. Patrick’s Day, licensing permitting. The brewery’s name, Trágmar, comes from a figure in Celtic mythology known as a thrower of battle axes. Its logo features an ax with a Celtic shield knot and a hop embedded in the handle.

The response has been positive, they say, with many Six Pack patrons expressing relief that another brewery is taking over the space. Trágmar is the third business in less than a year to bring new life to a former brewery’s space. Crafted Hope Brewing Company recently opened in the space vacated by Linesider in East Greenwich, while Buttonwoods Brewery relocated to the former Revival space in Providence last June.

“People are thirsty,” Buck says.

Follow along for updates on the new brewery on Facebook or Instagram.

The business’s logo represents the Celtic mythological figure, Trágmar. (Courtesy of Trágmar Ale Works)

RELATED ARTICLES

On Tap: The Latest Brewery and Distillery News In Rhode Island

Love Craft Beer and Company? This is the Rhode Island Club for You.

Crafted Hope Brewing Company Brings New Promise to Former Linesider Space