BrewDog to Build Stateside in Ohio
Scottish craft beer company BrewDog has unveiled plans to establish a U.S. beachhead, last week announcing that Columbus, Ohio, will become the company’s stateside brewing headquarters. On its blog, BrewDog wrote that it has “provisionally agreed” to acquire 42 acres of land in Columbus and said it intends to build a 100,000 sq. ft. brewery complete with a 100-barrel brewhouse, canning machine and bottling line to serve markets across the U.S. The company also anticipates employing 100 people at the new facility. BrewDog first confirmed its U.S. ambitions in April when it launched its fourth wave of equity crowdfunding. At the time, the company was hoping to raise roughly $3.2 million for a U.S. brewing operation. BrewDog also credited San Diego’s Stone Brewing for suggesting Columbus, a city that had been a finalist in Stone’s own search for a secondary location.
Illinois Lawmakers Pass Beer Production Bill
A bill aimed at helping craft brewers grow by raising the production cap imposed on companies that operate multiple retail fronts in Illinois is headed to the governor’s desk, reports the Chicago Tribune. As passed by the House and Senate, HB 3237 allows for breweries that run as many as three retail operations to produce up 120,000 barrels per year. Under the status quo, brewers that manage additional retail components are limited to producing 30,000 barrels annually. Gov. Bruce Rauner has 60 days to sign, veto, or amend the bill, adds the Tribune.
Boston Beer Seeks Trademark on Olympic Brew
Boston Beer Co., manufacturers of the iconic Samuel Adams line, has applied for a trademark applicable to beer on the phrase “Boston 2024,” the slogan popularized by the city’s effort to host the Olympic games. The city’s bid to land the 2024 summer games has been highly controversial on a local basis, as large swaths of residents oppose the campaign, but for Boston Beer, it could be a good marketing opportunity. “We were introduced recently to members of the Boston 2024 Committee and had a very preliminary conversation about collaborating on a special beer in the future,” company spokeswoman Jessica Paar told Reuters. “There’s nothing set in stone. It’s just a fun idea we talked about.” It wouldn’t be the first time Boston Beer capitalized on a momentous sporting event in the city. For the past few years, the company has released a beer dubbed “26.2” in celebration of the Boston Marathon.
Brooklyn Strikes Licensing Deal with Australian Brewery
Coopers Brewery of Australia has been licensed to brew and distribute Brooklyn Brewery’s Brooklyn Lager on the island continent. Per Australian Brew News, the partnership will better establish Brooklyn’s presence in Australia and is actually a continuation of an old relationship. “We actually used to sell Coopers beers here in New York from 1991 until 2003 when we sold our distribution arm, so we knew their beers well,” Brooklyn CEO Eric Ottaway told the website. “As we looked at how we could better supply the Australian beer market, conversations turned to the opportunity to work together.”