Lagunitas
Lagunita’s Chicago Location: Movie Stars & Beer?
So last night, Tony Magee of Lagunitas Brewing announced via Twitter that he will be building a second location in his home of Chicago, Illinois. Apparently the costs to ship the beer from Petaluma across the country is pretty much the same as it would be to build a location closer to the east coast.
The new location is pretty interesting. In a past life, it used to be the Ryerson Steel Plant. More recently, the area was converted to Cinespace Studios (Seen above), one of the largest sound stages outside of Hollywood, California. That’s were shows like Kelsey Grammar’s “Boss” and “The Playboy Club” were/are being filmed. Magee has leased space at the sound stage location.
Perhaps you’ll bump into some celebrities at the new location in the future? Below is a look at the new spot from Google Maps. Click the link and kill some time at work. Maybe even take in some street views of Chi Town without all the gunfire.
Lagunitas To Open Second Brewery In Chicago
Lagunitas Brewing owner Tony Magee mentioned earlier today that he had some pretty big news coming soon. He sure did. Magee announced via Twitter this evening that he will be opening a new brewery location in Chicago, Illinois. Why? It’s all about logistics. Magee went on to say (tweet) that after looking at how much the brewery was spending on shipping to the east coast. Apparently it adds up to the cost of a whole new brewery.
Lagunitas has rented an old soundstage (18th & Rockwell) in Tony Magee’s hometown of Chicago, Illinois. A 25o BBL Rolec brew house that will be ready by July, 2013. First brew is slated for 4th quarter 2013.
That’s the 3rd brewery in a matter of weeks that have announced new east coast locations. Ok, Chi Town is more eastern than Petaluma, California is. New Belgium and Sierra Nevada have both recently committed to Asheville, North Carolina
Lagunitas Fusion Series On Hold
Lagunitas Fusion Series of draft only beers are currently on hold, pending the current expansion. The series has been deamed “unnecessary” as the brewery grows. Fusion VIII, an American IPA was close to release nearly 4 months ago. Best estimates, it has yet to be released.
The Series includes:
VII — American IPA, 6.8%
VI- Imperial IPA, 7%
V- American Strong Ale 14% ABV
IV — Imperial Pilsner, 9.7% ABV
III — Imperial Stout, 10.2% ABV
II — Black IPA, 6% ABV
I — American IPA, 6% ABV
Lagunitas Plans On Going Big. 49 States Big
This is a big jump for a brewery. Lagunitas Brewing has plans to expand into 49 states after they get done expanding in April. The brewery is currently in 35 states. Whose left out? Tennessee. Stringent high alcohol laws prevent Lag’s beers from being sold there. (Good job prudes.)
Post expansion, Lagunitas will make a jump from 185,000 barrels (5,735,000 gallons) to 600,000 barrels (18,600,000 gallons). That’s basically going from making 61 million bottles of beer to 198 million. Big jump. The expansion entails a larger brewhouse, more fermentation space, larger kegging line, faster bottling line. Everything you need to make millions of gallons of beer, and in the hand of thirsty folks. In comparison, Leinenkugel’s makes close to the same among of beer, according to John Leinenkugel. This year should mark a 31% growth in sales for the Petaluma, California brewery. IPA is their best seller. [ShankenNews]
Check out more Lagunitas news…
2011 In Review: Top 20 Craft Breweries
Not everybody knows the Top 2o craft brewers in the United States. To be considered craft, you have to produced less than 6 million barrels of beer a year. Overall in 2011, the beer business declined by 1.5% nationally. (When you factor in the large breweries.) The craft sector saw an increase of 15% growth in volume of barrels shipped. Here’s the Top 20 brewers ranked:
1. Sam Adams
2. Sierra Nevada
3. New Belgium
4. Craft Brew Alliance (includes Red Hook, Kona, Widmer Brothers)
5. Spoetzel (Makers of Shiner)
6. Magic Hat
7. Deschutes Brewing
8. Matt Brewing (Makers of Saranac)
9. Bell’s
10. Harpoon
11. Lagunitas
12. Boulevard
13. Stone
14. Dogfish Head
15. Brooklyn
16. Alaskan
17. Shipyard
18. Abita
19. Long Trail Brewing
20. Great Lakes Brewing
Anchor Lends Hand To Lagunitas
Lagunitas is crazy busy. The demand for Lagunitas is at an all time high. They have recently suffered some set backs with their new brewhouse being damaged in transit. It has caused some shifts to Lag’s 2012 lineup. Lagunitas has just gotten a little help from one of America’s most established breweries – Anchor this week. Anchor is lending a hand during this bumpy time.
…so we’re working with them right now to brew some IPA draft for us. Can you dig that? Anchor Brewing! Its’a STRAIGHT-UP honor…..that Anchor is willing to help us through this two-month hump. It is great to have such friends on this crazy competitive left-coast!
No doubt this will help Lagunitas keep supply up as the take care of some brewhouse buisness. Beer people are good people.
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Lagunitas Sucks (Holiday Leftovers) Hits
Talk about more than they bargained for. You start with Lagunitas not being able to brew Brown Shugga’ (money and capacity roadblocks), so they brewing a substitute – Lagunitas Sucks. The IPA was a pretty big hit, disappearing from shelves and tap handles as fast as it appeared. Bad news stuck Petaluma, California last last year when the brewhouse was destroyed in transit. The result? Big Hairy Eyeball gets bumped from the 2012 schedule. However that opened up the potential to brew Sucks again. This time with a name tweak – Lagunitas Sucks Holiday Leftovers Ale.
Don’t be confused. It’s the same hoppy IPA that has made so many people fall in love so quickly. Arriving on shelves now in 12oz bottles, & draft.
Style: American IPA
Availability: Limited early 2012 release. Sucks/Sucks Leftovers not on future brewing schedule.
7.85% ABV
pic via Chris Hoffman
