August 15th, 2008
Expansion . Fort Collins Brewing
Update on Fort Collins Brewery Expansion
From their recent newsletter, the biggest delay was the arrival of their 40BBbl fermenters (which were due in May). They have actually ran out of a beer or two, so they couldn’t have arrived at a better time. I’ve included a photo of its arrival.
Sean
2Beerguys.com
Drink Craft Beer, You’ve Earned It!!
New home will double Fort Collins Brewery capacity
BY PAT FERRIER
Fort Collins Brewery will more than double its capacity when it builds a new $5 million brewery, upscale restaurant, lofts and commercial space at the northwest corner of Lincoln and Lemay avenues.
Owners Tom and Jan Peters will vacate the building on Lincoln Street that has served as a brewery since the early 1990s when it opened at H.C. Berger Brewery.
“It’s a little sad,†Peters said. “It’s destined to be a brewery and it has served us well.â€
But the site is small, parking is difficult and there are no bike lanes to accommodate cycling tours that often visit, he said.
“This popped up as an almost ideal location.â€
Design plans are under way for the 2.5-acre property owned by the Kennedy Family Trust but the brewery could be open as early as June, Peters said. Closing on the property is expected by the end of the year.
The new facility, on what is now the city’s dumping ground for excess snow, will allow the brewery to expand its production and distribution beyond its current 20 states.
“We have new distributors contacting us every week,†Peters said. “We want to offer the same quality beer to enthusiasts in all states that Coloradans have enjoyed for so many years.â€
The craft beer market has grown 16 percent in the last year, according to the Boulder-based Brewer’s Association.
Fort Collins Brewery experienced 80 percent growth last year and is working on expanding its distribution on the West and East coasts.
Widening distribution of its Chocolate Stout, Major Tom’s Pomegranate Wheat, Rocky Mountain IPA and other brews means expansion is critical, Peters said.
“It’s poor business to turn away business,†he said.
The brewery produced more than 5,000 barrels last year, still small in the craft brewer market, but will have the capacity to produce 45,000 barrels at the new site.
Accompanying the brewery will be a 4,000- square-foot upscale restaurant with glass walls that allow guests to watch the packing line, brew house and fermentation areas.