Hog Island Beer Company Purchases Mayflower Brewing
April 18, 2025 – Plymouth, Massachusetts brewery Mayflower Brewing Company has found a buyer, just three months after it had begun a search for a new owner. Nearby Hog Island Beer Company will take over, according to a press release issued by the company this week. No financial details of the sale were disclosed.
Mayflower Brewing is one of the oldest breweries in the area, founded in 2007 by former investment banker Drew Brosseau. Earlier this year, Brosseau announced to members of the Massachusetts Brewers Guild that the company would be ceasing operations at the end of January, with an offer to sell the brewery. The offer was apparently well-received, as later that month the company issued an announcement on Instagram that the company would not in fact be closing.
The acquisition represents the third outpost for Hog Island’s owner Mike McNamara, who also owns the Hog Island Surf Lodge in Wellfeet. McNamara started the original brewery in Orleans, Massachusetts in 2012.
Full press release by Mayflower Brewing below.
Hog Island Beer Company Announces the Acquisition of Mayflower Brewing Company
Two Beloved Massachusetts Breweries Come Together for a Bright Future
ORLEANS, MA – Hog Island Beer Company, Cape Cod’s fastest-growing brewery known for its coastal-inspired brews and community-driven spirit, is proud to announce the acquisition of Mayflower Brewing Company, one of New England’s most respected craft breweries. This exciting move marks a new chapter for both businesses, which are each located in coastal towns on Cape Cod Bay, bringing together two well-known Massachusetts brands with shared values of quality, independence, and a passion for brewing exceptional beer. The acquisition, pending all necessary approvals, includes the full operation of Mayflower’s Plymouth, MA brewery and taproom, as well as their Beer Garden collaboration with The Pinehills on the Village Green, also in Plymouth.
Founded in 2007 in historic Plymouth, Massachusetts, Mayflower Brewing Company has built a loyal following among craft beer lovers across New England. The acquisition by Hog Island Beer Company represents the next evolution for both brands, ensuring continued growth, innovation, a shared commitment to exceptional brewing and even more memorable experiences in the future.
“We could not be more excited about having Mike and the team at Hog Island usher in the next era of growth and prosperity for Mayflower,” said Drew Brosseau, founder of Mayflower Brewing Company. “Their passion for quality and commitment to community is exactly what I envisioned for Mayflower’s future.”
Mike McNamara, Founder of Hog Island Beer Company, echoed Drew’s enthusiasm: “We are absolutely stoked to continue the legacy that Drew and his team have built. Their beer is outstanding, their facilities are top-notch, and we can’t wait to expand upon the incredible foundation they’ve established.”
“Mayflower is a respected name with deep roots and an amazing story. This acquisition is about preserving that legacy while positioning both brands for long-term growth in a challenging and evolving market. We believe in the strength of community, the importance of storytelling, and, of course, making great beer,” McNamara added.Under new ownership, Mayflower Brewing will maintain its identity and operations in Plymouth, while benefiting from renewed investment and strategic collaboration with Hog Island. The acquisition will also create synergies in distribution, production, and brand storytelling while staying true to both breweries’ local roots.
“Our goal is to continue producing the beers people know and love from Mayflower, while also exploring fresh ideas and expanding our reach,” McNamara said. “We’re incredibly excited about what’s ahead.”
This acquisition is the latest milestone in Hog Island’s growing influence in both the craft beer and entertainment spaces. In addition to its brewery, McNamara, alongside musician Garrett Dutton (G. Love), founded the Outermost Roots and Blues Festival, a premier music event held annually on Columbus Day Weekend at Nauset Beach in Orleans. The 2024 lineup featured major artists like Jack Johnson, G Love and Special Sauce, Slightly Stoopid, Donavon Frankenreiter, Judith Hill, Ron Artis II, TAUK, Mihali, John Brown’s Body and American Idol winner Iam Tongi, further expanding Hog Island’s presence at the intersection of craft beer and live music culture. The festival celebrates family, live music, community, and the natural environment of Cape Cod.