The first craft beer off the line at Shed Brewery on Hatt Street in Dundas will probably taste pretty sweet to co-owner Ed Madronich.

More than two and a half years since the effort began to bring a craft brewery to the Valley Town, Madronich expects huge changes within the former warehouse and curling rink at 65 Hatt, with beer hopefully being produced in October.

“In three weeks, it will be transformed,” Madronich, who also owns Flat Rock Cellars winery, told a reporter visiting the brewery site last week.

There wasn’t much to see last Wednesday morning, but Madronich was excited by what is about to happen.

A new roof and skylights, originally part of the building in the 1880s when it was a curling rink, are done. An interior hallway was in progress along with additional structural work. Wooden posts apparently removed when the building was a bus depot have been replaced.

Coming in the next two weeks are a new floor and windows – and the new entrance at the building’s Southwest corner facing Hatt Street.

The transformation must be completed within a three week window because 13 tanks and equipment are on their way from Europe.

“The equipment’s coming. It’s on a ship somewhere in the Atlantic,” Madronich said. “The shell will be done.”

Shed Brewery – named for Madronich and co-owner Shawn Till – will feature a retail area on the east side of the former Valley City Manufacturing warehouse, with sampling area and view of the operating brewhouse.

Tourism is key for Madronich, who noted the details of wine making and brewing are very different – but the overall goal is the same.