E-Malt.com News article: USA, IA: Backpocket Brewing to expand its operations

Officials broke ground on September, 9 on a brewery at the Iowa River Landing in Coralville, Press-citizen.com reported on September, 9.

Backpocket Brewing will expand its operations with a Coralville plant in addition to its location at Old Man River Restaurant & Brewery in McGregor. The new facility is slated to open next summer, said brew master Jacob Simmons.

“It’s a big day, but it’s not the beginning for us,” Simmons said at the ceremony. “This is the continuation of a vision by Dave and Marci Strutt, the owners of Old Man River. They had a vision three years ago to build the best microbrew pub in the state, and I took that vision and expanded it to the best production brewery in the state.

“The state is not looking for a brewpub, but a whole brewing culture,” Simmons said. “This facility will allow us to take that vision to the next level.”

Coralville Mayor Jim Fausett said the brewery will be an exciting addition to the growing Iowa River Landing.

“The ideas Backpocket brings to the area are a benefit to everything else here,” he said. “This is just another step in the process.”

Simmons said the Coralville location, which is expected to produce 25,000 barrels per year, will be among the largest of Iowa’s microbreweries and will employ five to 10 people in the brewing operation and about 10 employees in the tasting room.

Josh Schamberger, president of the Iowa City/Coralville Convention & Visitors Bureau, echoed that sentiment.

“I imagine quite a few visitors will be excited about Backpocket Brewing and their craft brewing techniques,” Schamberger said. “Backpocket holds promises for new events for the community.”

Construction will start this fall, with expected completion late next spring. The brewery will feature a large taproom and beer garden for the public.

Simmons said a lack of available land at the existing site at Old Man River brewpub, which opened three years ago, forced the company to look elsewhere in eastern Iowa for a new location.

“The Iowa River Landing is a perfect fit for us in terms of community development,” he said.

Several Backpocket beers already have been served in local restaurants and bars under the Old Man River label, including the company’s most popular brew, the Slingshot Dunkel, a dark lager.


14 September, 2011