Old-World Brewpub Mixes Charm with Boston Character

Former economic justice organizer-turned-brewer, James Razsa, and veteran brewer, Jason Taggart, opened up the brewery in 2018. Razsa, Taggart and their team wanted to establish a brewery that blended old-world brewpub charm with classic Boston character. Democracy opened for business on the Fourth of July—fitting for a brewery that describes itself as celebrating “Boston’s rowdy revolutionary history from the 1700s to the present.”

“We wanted the luxury vinyl to have a reclaimed wood appearance. The color fit in seamlessly with the other design elements while also acting as the perfect backdrop for the space,” said Michelle Acosta, Embarc interior designer. “Everything fell into place—the graining was right, the color was ideal, the price point was perfect. It was a no-brainer for the project.”

Embarc, the Boston-based architect and design firm, called upon Parterre Flooring to outfit the 2880-sq.-ft. space. From working on previous projects together, Acosta knew that Parterre’s Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) designs would fit the look and needs for Democracy Brewing.

Acosta eventually selected Heart Pine, a natural wood look from Parterre’s InGrained Resilient Plank collection, for the entire second floor space. Heart Pine fit perfectly with the aesthetic for which the owners of Democracy Brewing were striving. The design team paired elements like exposed brick walls and textured plaster ceilings with the flooring to tie the old in with the new. “All the finishes in the space are grittier, but with a warmth and refinement to them. The flooring tied in well with that aesthetic,” adds Acosta.