Black Cloud Brewing Co. is operating at 100 Main Street in downtown Keene, the former home of Modestman Brewing's Keene taproom. Modestman closed that taproom in August 2025 and moved its brewing and taproom operations to South Portland, Maine, after six years in the city, according to MyKeeneNow.
Ownership and opening
Black Cloud was formed by former Modestman employees Marc and Melissa Smith, Tom and Heather DuFault, and George Colarullo, with support from Maine investors Rob and Aly Betz. The Keene Sentinel reported that the founders are the brewery's owner-operators and that the project took shape through work on the space and its recipes. The business held its grand opening at 100 Main Street on Saturday, March 7, according to a Facebook video cited by The Keene Sentinel.
The brewery has also begun participating in local events. Co-owner Marc Smith joined a July 30 invitation promoting the Aug. 1 Wyman Tavern Brewfest in Keene, an appearance reported by MyKeeneNow.
What the brewery serves
A recent NBC Boston review identified five beers on the lineup: Firestorm American Red Ale, Surge Hazy New England IPA, Blue Razz fruited sour, Monadnock Pale Ale and Use the Schwarz schwarzbier. The brewery brews behind the customer counter, and cans are available to take away.
Pizza is a central part of the food menu. The kitchen uses a Turbochef ventless conveyor oven and offers Neapolitan-style thin-crust pies, including pepperoni, margherita, veggie, and vegan options, with toppings such as basil, Parmesan, mushrooms, sausage, bacon, and ground beef, according to NBC Boston.
The menu also features hot maple sourced from Saxton River, Vermont. NBC Boston's review said the maple worked particularly well with pepperoni; that is the reviewer's assessment, not independent firsthand reporting here. The review also listed a pickle sampler, Greek olives, pretzel bites, popcorn, and Mediterranean and Caprese salads.
The former taproom
Black Cloud’s interior includes colorful murals, a high ceiling, exposed ductwork, and a stone-pattern floor. The brewery also has a back patio and outdoor sidewalk seating. These physical and atmosphere details were reported by NBC Boston, which characterized the business as giving food and beer comparable emphasis.
What is known about 100 Main Street
City of Keene Historic District Commission and Heritage Commission records list 100 Main Street as a non-contributing resource built in 1930, according to the city's March 2025 resource-ranking records. The City of Keene says its Historic District Commission regulates the compatibility of new construction and alterations to buildings, structures and sites within the Downtown Historic District, according to the commission's official description.
