DETROIT — Atwater Brewery, Detroit’s hometown brewer for 20 years, has grown from humble beginnings as a small brewpub in Detroit’s historic Rivertown district into one of Michigan’s largest brewers. And it’s targeting further growth in the state in 2018.
During 2017, Atwater added a host of new products to complement its robust portfolio and meet growing customer demand. It also signed a new distribution agreement with M1 Network and completed its re-branding with renowned Detroit artist Tony Roko.
“2017 was a year of transition for Atwater,” says Atwater owner Mark Rieth. “Our new distribution network alone should help us to expand our current markets, enter new markets and ultimately increase retail sales in Michigan by up to 30%.”
Rieth said 2018 would be a year of focus.
“Our expanded reach and new packaging encourage us to concentrate our growth across Michigan, which has always been our home and our strongest market. We believe we’ll push our production capacity to its limits.” Rieth suggests that this time next year, Atwater will be producing at a 50,000 barrel annualized rate.
Atwater’s sales continue to be led by its popular Dirty Blond, Vanilla Java Porter, and Atwater Lager brands, but its brewmasters are always innovating new styles as well. Atwater’s celebrated Christmas Ale is back this season and starting in 2018, Atwater will offer Vanilla Java varieties beginning with Bavarian Cream VJP in the first quarter followed by coconut, raspberry and hazelnut VJP coming throughout the year. Fans of Atwater small batch productions will learn about an exciting new barrel-aged product in mid-January.
The company’s largest brew facility remains on Joseph Campau in Detroit’s warehouse district where Atwater continues to build on its heritage of brewing world-class German-style lagers and innovative and fresh ales. Over the past twenty years, Atwater’s has expanded its portfolio to include 26 styles of beer and select seasonal flavors that are distributed to 21 states and three international markets.
Atwater will continue to scout new locations to expand its line of award-winning Taphouse and Biergarten projects.
“We say that we’re ‘bringing Detroit everywhere,’ and our Taphouse and Biergarten venues have been an incredibly fun, successful way to do so. In 2018, we’ll be looking at new sites in Michigan and beyond to complement our existing venues in Detroit, Grosse Pointe and Grand Rapids,” says Rieth.
“We’re so grateful to our customers, partners, and employees for helping Atwater grow and thrive for 20 years. It hasn’t been easy, and with wine and spirits now dipping into beer sales, it’s not getting any easier,” says Rieth. “But that’s our focus — staying the course, brewing our world-class lagers and other customer favorites from right here in Detroit, and distributing them conveniently throughout the state.”
About Atwater Brewery
Atwater Brewery. Born in Detroit. Raised Everywhere. Atwater offers 40 styles of beer led by its popular Purple Gang Pilsner, Better Life Choices IPA, Vanilla Java Porter, Dirty Blonde and its “World Beer Cup” award-winning Decadent Dark Chocolate Ale. Atwater distributes its beer to 21 states plus select international markets and offers a proprietary line of craft spirits. Atwater operates three full-service tap house and biergarten locations in Detroit, Grosse Pointe and Grand Rapids, MI. Find us on Facebook or visit www.Atwaterbeer.com