BERNARDSTON — Beers are back in town.

Incandescent Brewing is now open, marking a new chapter for the former home of Hitchcock Brewing Co. at 203 South St.

Co-owner Mesi Charles-Perry said she and her husband Nate Perry were thrilled with the turnout during the March 28 opening night. The two have been working since last May to set up their business, after hearing that Rich and Geneva Pedersen, who owned Hitchcock Brewing Co., were getting ready to retire and were looking for someone to take over the space leased from property owner Kittredge Industries LLC.

“We had no idea what to expect, so we are feeling blessed with everything that is happening,” Charles-Perry said. “I’m super excited, nervous, have butterflies, all things. This is great.”

Charles-Perry said it was a good sign that so many people showed up for opening night, and she hopes that success continues into the future. She added that she was happy to see people enjoying their drinks, the new tables and chairs, and the paint job the building received. The revamped space features murals and brighter colors, and was decorated with plenty of balloons during opening night.

“I love that people are sitting on the couches and talking,” Charles-Perry said. “We wanted it to be warm and cozy in here.”

Preparing for opening day was an all-hands-on-deck situation. Perry and Charles-Perry, who live in Whately, welcomed help from friends and family members to give the space a makeover.

“It was definitely a family affair. We had so much help from our friends and family,” she said. “There were so many people painting and helping out in any capacity they could. It’s been wonderful.”

The brewery was packed on opening night, with cheery patrons saying the new venue exceeded their expectations.

Bernardston residents Jim and Julie Beers said Incandescent Brewing holds up to the legacy of its predecessor, Hitchcock Brewing Co. They agreed it’s great to have a brewery back in town.

“They have some of the same stuff that we loved,” Julie said.

“It’s wonderful,” Jim added. “And it’s close to home, so it’s event better.”

Other patrons complimented the warm, welcoming aesthetic, and weighed in on the drinks they’d sampled.

“I think it’s pretty good so far,” said James Mills, who sampled the “Head in the Sky” New England IPA. “This is the first time I’ve had their beer and I’m enjoying it. It’s pretty tasty.”

“It’s fantastic,” added Justin Nash of Bernardston.

Incandescent Brewing currently has nine drinks on tap, including different styles of IPAs, a porter, a kettle sour, a German-style pilsner, pale ales and a seltzer. All drinks are $6 for a 12-ounce pour and $8 for a 16-ounce pour, with the exception of the “Lightning in My Hands” New England IPA, which is $7 for a 12-ounce pour and $9 for a 16-ounce pour, and the “Beer,” which is $5 a pint.

As operations get underway, Incandescent Brewing is seeking a taproom manager to schedule musical acts and food trucks, and to set up the brewery’s own food program.

Perry and Charles-Perry will hold an additional celebration, a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, on Friday, April 4, at 4 p.m.

“We are thrilled that Incandescent Brewing has found a home in Bernardston,” Jessye Deane, executive director of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce and Regional Tourism Council, said in a statement. “Small business owners like Nate and Mesi are the backbone of our economy, and we are excited to support their success one sip at a time.”

Reach Madison Schofield at 413-930-4579 or mschofield@recorder.com.