Weymouth, MA – What started as a humble homebrewing experiment in a Massachusetts basement has evolved into one of New England’s most exciting craft breweries. Founded by Dino Funari, Vitamin Sea Brewing has made a name for itself by blending high-quality brewing techniques, a collaborative mindset, and strategic business decisions.
Now, with a thriving flagship location in Weymouth and an expanding taproom and restaurant space in Plymouth, Vitamin Sea Brewing continues to push boundaries, attracting beer enthusiasts from across the country. A key part of their success? A commitment to quality, smart business practices, and the right brewing equipment—supplied by Deutsche Beverage + Process.
From Basement Brews to a Thriving Brewery
Like many great craft breweries, Vitamin Sea Brewing started with a passion for making great beer. Funari’s brewing journey began in home winemaking and eventually transitioned into home brewing. Before long, he and his friends were brewing every Saturday, swapping beers with neighbors, and unknowingly building a cult following.
“We never had aspirations to open a brewery,” Funari recalls. “We just kept brewing for fun, but the feedback we got was incredible. People kept saying, ‘You need to do something with this.’”
Word spread, and the demand for Vitamin Sea’s beer skyrocketed. Before they knew it, Funari and his team were drafting business plans, securing financing, and launching their first commercial brewery. Fast forward to today, and Vitamin Sea Brewing celebrated six years in business on February 9th.
The Secret to Their Success: Location, Innovation, and the Right Equipment
While passion was the driving force behind Vitamin Sea Brewing, its success was built on smart business choices.
Strategic location played a major role. The Weymouth, MA brewery is situated in a highly active craft beer region, where enthusiasts are always searching for the next great craft beer. Their second location—a taproom and restaurant on the Massachusetts coast—was another strategic move. This waterfront venue attracts a mix of locals, tourists, and food and beverage enthusiasts, giving the brewery access to new audiences beyond traditional craft beer drinkers.
Beyond location, Vitamin Sea’s ability to experiment and perfect their beer sets them apart. Unlike some breweries that rigidly stick to a formula, Funari and his team embrace collaboration and continuous learning.
Learning from Others: The Power of Collaboration in Brewing
One of the defining aspects of Vitamin Sea Brewing’s success is its commitment to collaboration and continuous learning. Unlike some breweries that operate in isolation, Dino Funari and his team embrace a culture of shared knowledge.
“We’re not afraid to be inspired. We don’t have egos here,” Dino explains. “If I visit another brewery and they’ve created an incredible beer, I’m the first to ask, ‘How did you get that color? How did you get such a punchy flavor from those hops?’”
This openness to learning and seeking inspiration from peers has helped Vitamin Sea Brewing refine its techniques and push creative boundaries. The craft beer industry thrives on collaboration rather than competition, and Vitamin Sea has built a strong network of like-minded brewers who exchange ideas, troubleshoot challenges, and innovate together.
Their willingness to experiment is further supported by their pilot system, allowing them to test small-batch recipes before scaling them up on their Deutsche system. This process enables them to stay agile and push the envelope with new styles, flavors, and techniques.
Beyond brewing techniques, Vitamin Sea Brewing benefits from strong industry relationships, including trusted vendors like Deutsche Beverage + Process, who continuously introduce new technologies and improvements. By surrounding themselves with innovative minds and high-quality partners, they’ve been able to stay ahead of trends and keep their customers excited with new, cutting-edge releases.
For Vitamin Sea Brewing, craft beer is more than just a product—it’s a shared passion, and their success proves that embracing collaboration leads to better beer, stronger connections, and an even greater impact on the industry.
Crafting Beverages for Every Palate
Vitamin Sea Brewing has strategically expanded its beverage offerings to appeal to a diverse audience beyond traditional craft beer enthusiasts. Recognizing that not everyone drinks beer, they have developed high-ABV cocktail-inspired seltzers, which mimic the flavors of classic mixed drinks while offering a refreshing, gluten-free alternative. Their latest innovations include seltzer-based Bloody Marys and other spirit-free cocktails, crafted with carefully selected syrups, fruits, and botanicals to replicate the complexity of their alcohol-based counterparts. By embracing experimentation and consumer trends, they have successfully broadened their appeal, attracting not just craft beer lovers but also seltzer drinkers, cocktail fans, and casual consumers looking for unique, high-quality beverages.
Building a Thriving Business: Smart Practices and Strategic Location
Vitamin Sea Brewing’s success is no accident—it’s the result of thoughtful business practices, strong branding, and strategic location choices. From their early days as a backyard beer exchange to running a thriving multi-location brewery, every step has been intentional.
From the beginning, Vitamin Sea Brewing focused on making great beer first and letting the demand grow organically. By prioritizing quality over hype, they cultivated a dedicated following long before opening their doors. Their approach to brewing—focusing on simplicity, allowing ingredients to shine, and staying open to inspiration—has helped them stand out in the crowded craft beer industry.
Beyond beer, they have created an engaging brand identity that reflects their passion, creativity, and laid-back, community-driven vibe. Their name, logo, and design aesthetic resonate with beer lovers who appreciate a blend of craft, culture, and coastal inspiration.
Strategic Location Choices for Maximum Impact
Vitamin Sea Brewing’s Weymouth, MA location was carefully chosen to balance accessibility, foot traffic, and production capacity. Located in a region with a thriving craft beer scene, they’ve benefited from both local beer lovers and visiting enthusiasts looking for top-tier New England brews.
Their second location, a taproom with a kitchen and event space, was another strategic move. Positioned in a high-traffic waterfront area, it attracts both locals and tourists, including the 5 million people who visit the region each year to see historic landmarks like the Mayflower. By expanding beyond just beer and offering a curated food experience, they’ve tapped into a broader customer base beyond traditional craft beer drinkers.
Why Deutsche? Balancing Quality, Price, and Service
As the team at Vitamin Sea Brewing prepared to launch their commercial operation, they cast a wide net, evaluating various brewing equipment manufacturers at industry events like the Craft Brewers Conference (CBC). While pricing was an important factor, Funari knew that quality and customer service were even more critical.
“We felt like Deutsche checked all the boxes—quality, price, and service,” Funari says. “They weren’t the cheapest, but they also weren’t the most expensive, and the value they provided made it a no-brainer.”
The Deutsche three-vessel brewing system has been instrumental in their growth. With an oversized 10-barrel capacity, Vitamin Sea can efficiently complete two to three brewing turns per day, allowing them to scale production without sacrificing quality. The steam-fired system ensures precise temperature control, helping them achieve consistent results across every batch.
Beyond the equipment itself, Funari highlights the exceptional customer support, “Any time we have a question or need guidance, the Deutsche team is always there to help,” he says. “They understand the industry and provide real solutions, not just equipment.”
This system allows them to experiment with new ingredients, brewing techniques, and innovative flavors, ensuring that every new release is, refined and meets Vitamin Sea’s high standards.
Expanding and Looking Ahead
With two locations and a rapidly growing fanbase, Vitamin Sea Brewing is positioned for even greater success. Their second taproom, which opened this past summer, has not only strengthened their brand presence but also allowed them to reach new customers.
Even in the slower winter months, Vitamin Sea is seeing strong foot traffic, thanks in part to their focus on food innovation. Their taproom has developed a “sandwich hype” to complement the excitement around their beer, ensuring that customers keep coming back.
Looking ahead, Vitamin Sea Brewing is eager to expand its product offerings, with a focus on high-ABV seltzers and cocktail-inspired beverages. They’re also gearing up for another busy festival season, where they’ll showcase their latest creations to craft beer lovers nationwide.
From a small backyard beer exchange to a multi-location brewery with national recognition, Vitamin Sea Brewing’s success is a testament to smart decision-making, a commitment to quality, and strong partnerships. Their collaboration with Deutsche Beverage + Process has allowed them to scale efficiently and maintain the exceptional quality that made their beer so sought-after in the first place.
