Castle Island Brewing Company has expanded its capacity for the second time in 15 months.
Brewery founder and president Adam Romanow told Brewbound that increased demand for his company’s core beers — Candlepin Hoppy Session Ale and Keeper IPA — led to the installation of three new 60-barrel fermentation tanks that increased the brewery’s capacity to more than 13,000 barrels annually.
The need for additional fermentation space was clear after the first two months of 2017, Romanow said, noting that portfolio-wide depletions had increased by more than 120 percent over the same period last year.
One reason for Castle Island’s hot start in 2017 was a significant packaging shift the company made in early January: 16 oz. cans of Candlepin previously sold in four-packs were replaced by six-packs, an adjustment that was made after consumers asked the brewery to deliver a better value for the 4.4 percent ABV hoppy session ale.
“So we raised the price by a buck and threw in two extra beers,” Romanow said. “That was a reenergizing of the brand.”
Romanow also said the growing popularity of his company’s flagship IPA, Keeper, led to early depletions growth.
“That’s the horse,” he said.
Castle Island, which was recently recognized as the best new brewery in Massachusetts by RateBeer, produced 3,500 barrels of beer last year and the company is on pace to brew about 7,000 barrels in 2017. The company’s “inch-wide, mile-deep” go-to-market strategy has led to retail placements in about 1,000 accounts across Massachusetts, Romanow said.
Last July, the Norwood-based brewery installed two fermentation tanks, which doubled its annual capacity, and, shortly thereafter, expanded distribution to the New Hampshire border via Danvers-based Merrimack Valley Distributing Company.
Romanow said the company would look to expand distribution beyond the current limited-draft coverage in western Massachusetts at some point this year, however it doesn’t plan on extending its footprint beyond Massachusetts in 2017.
“We’ve been very fortunate to continue to see a lot of growth in our existing wholesale channels,” Romanow said.
The company’s latest capacity expansion should also help it keep wholesalers supplied with beer during busy spring and summer months, and enable the company to avoid out of stocks, Romanow added.
A press release with additional expansion details, as well as information about the company’s first collaboration beer, The Bravest, is included below.
NORWOOD, MASS. – For the second time since opening their doors just 15 months ago, Castle Island Brewing is growing again, boosting capacity by nearly 50%.
Driven by increasing demand, the company recently completed the installation of three new 60-barrel fermentation vessels, bringing the brewery’s total capacity to more than 13,000 barrels annually. This marks Castle Island’s second expansion within a year; last Summer the company added a pair of additional tanks to support sales through the wholesale channel.
“We’re seeing continued growth within our existing markets, and that growth once again had us operating at capacity,” said Castle Island President and Founder Adam Romanow. “This definitely falls into the ‘good problem’ category, but with Spring and Summer right around the corner, we knew we had to grow quickly to avoid out of stocks in our busiest time of year.”
In 2016, their first year of operation, Castle Island produced 3,500 barrels of beer. And although this number represents only a fraction of the brewery’s increased capacity, Castle Island has seen depletions rise by more than 120% year to date in 2017 compared to the same time last year, and Castle Island expects to produce approximately 7,000 barrels of beer this year.
Castle Island recently installed three new 60-barrel fermenters, at left, bringing total capacity to more than 13,000 barrels annually.
Castle Island’s first collaboration beer also rolls off the line this week. The brewery has partnered with the Black Ale Project to create The Bravest, an “All American Dry Stout” clocking in at 4.3% alcohol by volume.
The Black Ale Project, started by Founder Dave Pappas, a former Marine, partners with breweries across New England in a beer-based initiative to raise money and awareness on behalf of U.S. war veterans.
“As a former Marine and non-combat veteran of the Persian Gulf War, helping my fellow veterans means the world to me,” said Pappas. “I could not be more proud of the brewers who have stepped up to support this cause. Castle Island brews delicious beer that I truly enjoy, so I am very excited to partner with them to assist our veterans in need.”
The Bravest, Castle Island’s contribution to the project, goes on sale at the brewery only starting Wednesday, March 8. Proceeds from The Bravest will benefit Building for America’s Bravest, a program of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation that builds smart homes for disabled veterans returning home with catastrophic injuries.
“We selected Building for America’s Bravest for their amazing work making sure that those who have made major sacrifices for their country are provided with adaptive, intelligent homes tailored to their specific condition,” added Romanow.
The Bravest, Castle Island’s new collaboration with the Black Ale Project, will be available at the brewery starting Wednesday, March 8.
Located off Route 1, at 31 Astor Ave. in Norwood, Mass., Castle Island was recently named the Best New Brewery in Massachusetts by RateBeer. The brewery is open to the public on Tuesdays and Wednesday from 12:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M., and Thursdays through Saturdays from 12:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.
For additional information about the brewery and for an updated list of retail locations where Castle Island beers can be found, please visit the company’s website (castleislandbeer.com) and Facebook page (facebook.com/castleislandbeer). Email press@castleislandbeer.com or call 781.325.1892 with any other questions
Castle Island Brewing:
Castle Island is dedicated to crafting the highest quality beer with purpose and without pretense. With a focus on American ales, we make offerings that are both unique and approachable. You can find our beer throughout Massachusetts in cans and on draft, as well as at our Norwood headquarters.