Oskar Blues Brewery released a year-end review of its growth in 2015 this week, one that boasted of double-digit increases in sales and production for the company
Oskar Blues, the nation’s 24th largest craft beer maker according to the Brewers Association, saw a 30 percent increase in sales last year, producing some 192,000 barrels of beer by the end of 2015. Production was nearly split between the brewery’s main facility in Longmont, Colorado and its four-year-old location in Brevard, North Carolina – which contributed 90,000 barrels on its own this year despite being in the midst of a 17,000 square foot expansion.
The gains supported a strong year for Oskar Blues’ flagship, Dale’s Pale Ale, which represents roughly 50 percent of the company’s annual sales. Data from IRI Worldwide showed Dale’s was the top selling 6-pack of canned craft beer in U.S. multi-outlet and convenience stores as of December 2015 – selling nearly $9.5 million total, up 39 percent from the same time in 2014.
Sales aside, Oskar Blues used 2015 to expand its footprint. Last September, the brewery revealed plans to open a third facility in Austin, Texas by summer of this year. The new location could add another 100,000 barrels of capacity to brewing operations.
The company also expanded distribution into 9 new states last year and doesn’t show signs of slowing down.
“The brewery expanded distribution to 45 U.S. states, parts of Canada, Sweden, and the U.K., with plans to reach all 50 states by mid-year 2016,” read the official announcement.
Last year also proved to be a time of innovation and growth for Oskar Blues’ non-alcoholic ventures. Seeking to enter another lucrative brewing industry, the company launched its own brand of coffee: HotBox Roasters. In a similar line of success, distribution of its soda brand – B. Stiff & Sons Old Fashioned Soda Pop – increased by 56 percent in 2015.
The Crowler, a 32 oz. fill-at-the-source beer can that Oskar Blues co-developed with the Ball Corporation in 2014, reportedly saw 1000 percent increase in sales last year. According to the brewery, nearly 400 of the All-American Can Company seamers required to seal the Crowler, and more than 1.3 millions cans themselves, were sold in 2015.