USA, OH: Columbus Brewing Co. decides to expand

Columbus Brewing Co. is going to be making a lot more beer, Columbus Dispatch reported on July 2.

The largest craft brewer in central Ohio — and one of its oldest, dating to 1988 — hired Jason Davis, formerly a sales manager at Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and most recently the vice president of sales for BrewDog's yet-to-open U.S. operation. Davis will become Columbus Brewing's strategic director and execute a plan to spread the brewery's beers across Ohio.

Columbus Brewing also took delivery of five 120-barrel fermentation tanks this week, raising its capacity by 75 percent.

"It's a big week," said Eric Bean, co-owner of the brewery. "Jason and I have been friends for a long, long time."

Davis joined BrewDog last year as the Scottish craft brewer announced a plan to build a massive brewery and U.S. headquarters in Canal Winchester. Davis worked at Columbus Brewing Co. two decades ago.

"I'm super excited to be working with Eric," Davis said. "I love these brands. The beer is there, the packaging is there; I’m excited to help elevate the brands."

BrewDog was not immediately available for comment. Davis declined to say why he chose to leave other than that the opportunity to join Columbus Brewing was something he didn't want to miss again.

"Eric and I have talked about it three different times over the years," Davis said of employment opportunities at Columbus Brewing, "but the timing was never right."

The addition of Davis gives Columbus Brewing a seasoned hand for growth, especially in Ohio, said Mary MacDonald, executive director of the Ohio Craft Brewers Association.

"He’s got a really solid history in the craft-brewing industry in Ohio," she said. "It makes a lot of sense. He just knows the Ohio craft-beer community inside and out."

The addition of Davis and the expansion of capacity lining up are why Bean moved the company to the new Harrison Road location last year. Bean invested about $5 million in the new brewery, which was once the home of Hill Distributing Co.

"After moving from the Brewery District to Harrison Road, this is what they intended to do and what they need to do," MacDonald said. "This is them hitting on all fronts."

Bean plans for the new tanks to open additional markets later this year and next — almost all of the company's beer is sold in central Ohio — and roll out its popular double India pale ale, Bodhi, in bottles later this month. Other beers never before seen in brown, 12-ounce bottles, will follow.

So will a call to Bean's banker.

"As soon as these (new tanks) go up and we start filling them," Bean said, "we're going back to the bank about the second round."

03 July, 2016