CLEARWATER — An earth-toned brew pub is slated to open by early December in the location formerly occupied by Pssghetti's, a notoriously multicolored Italian restaurant on the northwest corner of U.S. 19 and Enterprise Road.

The Sea Dog Brew Pub, run by the Shipyard Brewing Co. in Maine, will serve a diverse lineup of craft beers, concocted by the barrel in-house.

The restaurant space, which is undergoing "ripping and tearing" renovation now, will include a 90-foot bar and 4,000-square-foot outside deck, said Shipyard president Fred Forsley. White dust speckled the newly bare concrete Thursday afternoon as contractors prepared to lay hardwood flooring.

The highway-side location most recently housed Pssghetti's, a restaurant owned by bay area businessman Frank Mongelluzzi for nearly two years. The vivid red, orange, green and purple color scheme drew criticism from city planners.

Pssghetti's closed last spring as Mongelluzzi's multimillion-dollar financial empire collapsed. U.S. marshals seized financial records at the restaurant in April.

Meanwhile, when the brew pub opens, beers on draft will range from creamy stouts to hoppy ales to wheats infused with blueberry and raspberry. Clearwater-inspired brews will eventually flow into glasses, Forsley said, along with monthly "Mug Club" picks to foster a "beer family." Moderately priced plates will stock a seasonally shifting menu.

It's Shipyard's first all-ages brew pub in Florida. The company hopes to eventually add seven more locations to the Sunshine State, as well as a refurbished 20-barrel brewing facility, which was formerly housed at the Orlando airport.

"This is the type of place where you feel comfortable walking in wearing a suit or flip-flops," Forsley said. "Family friendly, full of comfort foods."

Danielle Paquette can be reached at dpaquette@tampabay.com or (727) 445-4224.