Lithermans Brewing, BBQ food truck opening in The District's space in downtown Portsmouth

Ian Lenahan, Portsmouth Herald
Updated ·3 min read

PORTSMOUTH — Two Concord businesses — a brewery and a Texas barbecue-based food truck — are joining forces to open on Congress Street in place of The District, which closed at the end of October.

Lithermans Brewing Company, offering India pale ales, sours and stouts, and 603 Bar-B-Q are teaming up to open in Portsmouth while still operating their original businesses in the state capital.

Lithermans Brewing Company and Bar-B-Q, two Concord-based businesses, are teaming up to open a restaurant and taproom on Congress Street in Portsmouth. The two businesses are moving into the space formerly inhabited by The District, which closed at the end of October. Lithermans co-owner Erin Inman, left, and 603 Bar-B-Q founder Ben Normandeau are excited to take on the endeavor together.

The brewery was founded in 2016 and was bought in the spring by Erin Inman and Chet Schrader, while the barbecue food truck was founded and opened by Ben Normandeau on Memorial Day. The food truck has parked outside of Lithermans’ flagship location now for months, and the two are partnering to expand their Concord presence by bringing the barbecue business into the suite next to Lithermans.

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Simultaneously, Normandeau, Inman and Schrader are taking over the 103 Congress Street unit and outdoor patio to bring smoked barbecue and craft beer into the heart of Portsmouth. The partners envision opening their doors by the end of November if all permits are approved.

“We need more room because we’re selling out more quickly. We’re also bringing more people to the brewery. It’s been a mutually beneficial relationship for sure,” Normandeau said. “We get his customers that have no idea about us, and then our customers can have a beer while they eat barbecue. Who doesn’t want beer and barbecue, right?”

According to Inman, The District’s owner, David Takis, began putting out feelers a few months ago for potential newcomers to take over his lease.

Lithermans Brewing Company and 603 Bar-B-Q, two Concord-based businesses, are teaming up to open a restaurant and taproom on Congress Street in Portsmouth. The two businesses are moving into the space formerly inhabited by The District, which closed at the end of October. Lithermans co-owner Erin Inman, left, and 603 Bar-B-Q founder Ben Normandeau are excited to take on the endeavor together.

The District, open since July 2011 next to the Vaughan Mall and across from the Music Hall, announced its closure on Oct. 27, with the business’ grand finale coming last weekend before shutting its doors.

“We would like to thank all of our customers and staff that have made the past 12-plus years possible. A business is only as good as the employees it has,” The District shared on social media. “A special thank you to our past employees who made everything possible and in turn kept customers coming back. (Twelve) seasons in downtown Portsmouth is something to be proud of.”

Inman noted Lithermans will continue producing its beers in Concord but will have eight on draft in Portsmouth to start. The bar, which will headline the front of the business, will also offer hard seltzers, then will eventually become a full-service bar.

Lithermans Brewing Company and 603 Bar-B-Q, two Concord-based businesses, are teaming up to open a restaurant and taproom on Congress Street in Portsmouth. The two businesses are moving into the space formerly inhabited by The District, which closed at the end of October. The 603 Bar-B-Q founder Ben Normandeau says he's excited to show people Texas style BBQ.

Lithermans approached 603 Bar-B-Q about the opportunity in Portsmouth, to which Normandeau eagerly agreed.

“We’ll do some stuff to put our own touch on the place here eventually,” Inman said. “But right now, it’s just a matter of getting our systems in place and getting it moving forward.”

Previously an electrician by trade, Normandeau’s father had a catering company when he was a child, and he’s always had an affinity for barbecue. Over the last few years, while on vacation from his old electrician role, he traveled south to Texas to learn from professional chefs how to become a barbecue expert.

Normandeau, a Concord resident, credits chef Joe Zavala, owner of Zavala’s Barbecue in Grand Prairie, Texas, with teaching him the tricks of the trade. Normandeau’s food truck menu is powered by a smoker fueled by wood, which he is currently seeking approval from Portsmouth officials to install inside the Congress Street restaurant space.

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To start, the blooming barbecue business will offer a “Southern-style craft kitchen menu,” its founder says.

Normandeau is planning for his team to offer chicken sandwiches, street tacos, brisket burgers and chicken wings, then go for a full roster of authentic Texas barbecue when his smoker is installed.

At that point, the menu will include sliced brisket, turkey, ribs, pulled pork, macaroni and cheese, cornbread and other sides.

“We always try to keep a chill, laid-back vibe, and that’s basically what we’re bringing here,” Inman added.

Lithermans Brewing Company and 603 Bar-B-Q, two Concord-based businesses, are teaming up to open a restaurant and taproom on Congress Street in Portsmouth. The two businesses are moving into the space formerly inhabited by The District, which closed at the end of October. Lithermans co-owner Erin Inman describes what patrons can expect.
Lithermans Brewing Company and 603 Bar-B-Q, two Concord-based businesses, are teaming up to open a restaurant and taproom on Congress Street in Portsmouth. The two businesses are moving into the space formerly inhabited by The District, which closed at the end of October. Lithermans co-owner Erin Inman describes what patrons can expect.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Beer & BBQ joint opening in The District space in downtown Portsmouth