USA, NC: LoneRider Brewing Co. to expand capacity

Raleigh-based LoneRider Brewing Co. is selling a $300,000 stake to investors as it prepares to double its capacity, Triangle Business Journal reported on November, 3.

The brewery, known for its Sweet Josie brown ale and Shotgun Betty hefeweizen, has sold $290,000 in shares to a total of 11 investors and is seeking to sell another $10,000, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

LoneRider CEO Sumit Vohra said he plans to expand LoneRider's capacity from 7,400 barrels to nearly 15,000 by the end of next year, and perhaps further in following years, depending on demand. Vohra said he and co-owners hadn’t yet determined whether they will expand on Gulf Court in northwestern Raleigh, open a second location, or move to a larger space altogether.

He declined to discuss the financing details.

LoneRider regularly brews beer in three styles. Vohra said it's likely to add new styles as it expands.

The Triangle's brewing scene has grown dramatically in the last five years. Triangle microbreweries such as LoneRider are on track to brew a total of about 34,000 barrels in 2011, up nearly 60 percent from 21,500 last year.

04 November, 2011