In a move that that will triple Heritage Brewing Company’s capacity, the company today said it would spend $8.9 million to build a 35,000 sq. ft. production facility and brewpub in Manassas, Virginia.
Heritage, which was founded in 2013 by U.S. Marine veteran Sean Arroyo, will relocate its operations from from an industrial park at 9436 Center Point Lane to a mixed-use development called the Landing at Cannon Branch. Both sites are located in Manassas, Virginia.
Heritage expects to break ground before the end of the year and the facility is slated to be operational by the fourth quarter of 2018.
“We had a big dream and thanks to amazing partnerships we are excited to bring this one-of-a-kind experience to our community,” Arroyo said vita a press release. “This will be a truly unique destination for the region.”
Heritage is financing a majority of the project with funding from private investors and bank loans. Additionally, the company qualified for a $500,000 grant from the city of Manassas. It was also able to secure a $250,000 grant from the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund because it sources Virginia-grown ingredients in its products.
The new facility will be capable of producing about 30,000 barrels of beer when it opens, and is capable of being scaled to 100,000 barrels with installation of additional fermentation tanks, Arroyo told Brewbound.
Sales of Heritage Brewing’s beer have increased more than 40 percent in each of the last two years. Last year, Heritage sold an estimated 5,000 barrels of beer, according to data from the Brewers Association. Arroyo told Brewbound that Heritage will sell “just under 10,000 barrels” by the end of 2017.
Heritage, which currently ships beer to Maryland, South Carolina and Washington, D.C., plans to expand its distribution footprint “up and down the East Coast” by the end of next year, Arroyo said.
The company is also planning to expand its presence in Virginia with the opening of two brewpubs over the next 16 months. In April, the company opened the Heritage Brewing Brewpub and Roastery in Arlington.
Those expansions required the company to increase its capacity in order to meet demand for its products and operate more efficiently, Arroyo said. Driving the growth are two core offerings, Freedom Isn’t Free IPA and American Expedition Honey Ginger Wheat, which Arroyo said account for about 60 percent of the company’s volume.
The expansion will also include the construction of a dedicated production area for its sister company, Veritas Coffee, which offers ready-to-drink cold-pressed coffee in cans.
The company is also planning to create an on-site training facility that will offer a variety of 90-day accreditation programs for veterans transitioning into civilian life, said Arroyo, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 10 years.
“It’s really about teaching veterans tangible skills that they can use in the real world, and make sure that they’re meeting success when they get out,” he said. “These men and women — who served passionate and dedicated careers — really need a good pipeline for them to see success. Too many employers don’t recognize how valuable the leadership skills are of our transitioning military. So we wanted to build a program that helps them to transition.”
In a press release, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who has proven to be among the most craft-friendly lawmakers in the country, lauded Heritage for creating 66 new jobs, offering opportunities to military veterans and donating a portion of its profits to the families of fallen soldiers.
“Today’s announcement is a great win for Virginia’s veterans, our craft brewery industry, and our ongoing efforts to build the new Virginia economy,” McAuliffe said in the release, which has been reprinted below.
Heritage Brewing Announces Manassas Expansion
Heritage Brewing Co. will invest $8.9 million to relocate and expand its operation
Manassas, VA– Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that Heritage Brewing Company will create 66 new jobs and invest $8.9 million to expand its craft brewery in the City of Manassas. Heritage Brewing is relocating and expanding its operations into a 35,000 square foot facility allowing it to triple production of its craft beers. The expansion will also support growing the distribution of Heritage Brewing’s craft beer to the meet the surging demand for its products.
“Heritage Brewing’s new job creation and investment in Manassas, along with its commitment to purchase Virginia-grown products, underscores the crucial role that agriculture plays in the economies of both rural and urban areas of the Commonwealth,” said Governor McAuliffe. “With its focus on training and hiring veterans and its pledge to donate a portion of its profits to the families of fallen soldiers, Heritage Brewing stands out in its efforts to serve those who have served our nation. Today’s announcement is a great win for Virginia’s veterans, our craft brewery industry, and our ongoing efforts to build the new Virginia economy.”
Heritage Brewing Co. is a veteran-owned and operated craft brewery founded in 2013 and has quickly grown to become one of the commonwealth’s largest craft breweries. Heritage also opened a Brewpub & Roastery in Arlington in April of 2017 with a chef-driven menu that incorporates its brews and coffee into several dishes. Plans are in the works to open several more brewpubs, including one in the new production facility. The brewery will be relocating from an industrial park in Manassas to the new development on Gateway Boulevard called, “The Landing at Cannon Branch.” (https://thelandingatcb.com/)
“Heritage Brewing is further supporting Virginia’s growing craft beer supply chain through its commitment to sourcing ingredients from Virginia’s agricultural producers,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Basil Gooden. “I am pleased the Commonwealth could partner with the City of Manassas through the AFID Program to support this local business in a rapidly growing industry.”
“Veterans are a natural fit for entrepreneurship, given the leadership and problem-solving skills they developed during their military service,” said Admiral John Harvey, Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs. “I am grateful to Heritage Brewing Company for paving the way for future veteran entrepreneurs and for recognizing that investing in Virginia’s veterans is investing in the Virginia economy as a whole.”
“We chose to start our business in the Commonwealth of Virginia for its business-friendly environment toward veteran entrepreneurs,” said Sean Arroyo, owner, Heritage Brewing Co. “The City of Manassas is a beacon for small businesses and helped us to become the company we are today. We had a big dream and thanks to amazing partnerships we are excited to bring this one-of-a-kind experience to our community. This will be a truly unique destination for the region.”
“We are honored that Heritage Brewing Company was founded in Manassas and has elected to permanently establish its headquarters and commercial brewing operations here,” said Manassas Mayor Harry J. Parrish II. “This expansion, and the subsequent jobs it brings, is inspiring to future entrepreneurs. I am especially excited that Heritage is founded by veterans and provides preferential hiring treatment to other veterans, because the City of Manassas is a community that values military service.”
“Since 2013, Heritage Brewing has been a welcome addition to the City of Manassas. As a veteran, I have been impressed by Heritage Brewing’s commitment to hiring veterans and supporting veteran causes.” said Delegate Jackson Miller “I’m excited to see Heritage Brewing continue to invest in Manassas and our Commonwealth by agreeing to be the anchor tenant at the Landing at Canon Branch.”
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services worked with the City of Manassas and Heritage Brewing to secure this project for Virginia. Governor McAuliffe approved a $250,000 grant from the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund, which Manassas will match with local funds.