Posted in Brewery Expansions, New Breweries

U.S. Breweries In July: 16 More Breweries Open, 51 More in Planning

While you’re out enjoying a beer tonight, here are some brewery numbers to think about. As of July 31, 2012, the Brewer’s Association reports:

U.S. operating breweries is at 2,142, up from 2,126 at the end of June. (16 more breweries!)

U.S. operation breweries that are Brewers Association members is at 1,526, up from 1,517 at the end of June. (9 more!)

U.S. breweries in planning is at 1,303, up from 1,252 at the end of June. (51 more in planning!)

Paul Gatza writes further – Craft brewing and the Brewers Association just keep on growing. We have 555 more breweries in planning than a year ago and 347 more operating U.S. breweries.

Damn. Who’s thirsty?

[BrewersAssociation]

by Reid Ramsay August 21, 2012

Posted in Brewery Expansions, Videos, Weyerbacher

Short Look at Weyerbacher’s New Cellar [VIDEO]

It’s not much to look at right now, but this is Weyerbacher Brewing’s new cellar. The Easton, PA brewery is currently undergoing an expansion. As with anything you want to age, you’re going to need some real estate to do it.

by Reid Ramsay August 16, 2012

Posted in Brewery Expansions, Sierra Nevada

Sierra Nevada Moves Up New Facility Production Dates

Sierra Nevada looks to be ahead of schedule. The completion of their new brewery build out in Asheville, North Carolina has been moved up from November 2013 to July 2013. Stan Cooper and Brian Grossman recently told the Mills River Town Council that they want to get production running ASAP.

Makes sense too, as new beers like Barrel Aged Bigfoot have been put on hold until the new brewery is completed. [BlueRidgeNow]

by Reid Ramsay August 15, 2012

Posted in 5 Rabbit Cerveceria, Beer News, Brewery Expansions, Goose Island Brewing

5 Rabbit Breaks Ground On New Facility, Hires Brewmaster

The first Latin craft brewery in the United States – 5 Rabbit CervecerÃa just picked up John J. Hall from Goose Island. He will serve as Brewmaster/Production Deity. That means all brewhouse, cellar, packaging and quality control operations for the brewery.

“We are thrilled John is joining the 5 Rabbit team. The coming months are going to be very exciting for us as we bring all production to our new brewery. We can’t wait to see our beers reach their full potential now that John is in charge of production,” says 5 Rabbit partner AndrÃ©s Araya. “Making the best beer is the most important thing for us. We were looking for an extraordinary brewer, a highly creative person and passionate beer enthusiast.

5 Rabbit’s brewery just broke ground on their new, 25,000 sq. ft. building in Bedford Park, Chicago.

[PressRelease]

by Reid Ramsay August 10, 2012

Posted in Beer News, Brewery Expansions, Oskar Blues Brewing

Oskar Blues Will Be Brewing In NC By December

Oskar Blues (Longmont,CO) is joining the exodus of breweries headed east to North Carolina. While OB won’t be in Asheville (with Sierra Nevada and New Belgium) they will be just down the road in Brevard, North Carolina. The brewhouse should be functional by December, 2012.

The new digs should produce 40,000 barrels (31 gals per barrel) in 2013. In comparison, the Longmont location in aiming at 100,000 barrels in 2013. In addition to the production facility, Oskar Blue is hoping to have restaurant and music facility in North Carolina.

Read more: Oskar Blues

by Reid Ramsay August 6, 2012

Posted in Anchor Brewing, Beer News, Brewery Expansions

Anchor Will Break Production Record This Year, New Brewery A Maybe

There are big things brewing at Anchor. (Pun intended). Greg Kitsock writes in the Washington Post today, that Anchor should break their production output record this year. For the San Francisco based brewery – that’s just 110,000 barrels (3.4 million gallons) up from 90,000 barrels. That’s not that big, all things considered. SweetWater in Atlanta is jumping from a potential 100,000 barrels a year to 500,000 capacity. Anchor just installed more tanks, with a couple more on the way.

Another little note – Mark Carpenter, Anchor’s 69 year old brewmaster says another brewery is an inevitability. When and where? I guess we’ll wait and see.

by Reid Ramsay August 6, 2012

Posted in Beer News, Brewery Expansions, Founders Brewing

More Tanks For Founders [PIC]

Founders Brewing (Grand Rapids, MI) continues expanding. Today – more fermentation space. For a brewery in such high demand, this is good news.

Brewery Expansions