E-Malt.com News article: USA, NC: Delays in construction postpone opening of Skull Coast Brewing Company in Hickory

The city of Hickory might have to wait a little longer for the opening of its third and newest brewery, Hickory Daily Record reported on June, 22.

Skull Coast Brewing Company, Inc. is the tenant that will occupy the bottom floor of the east building at the former Hollar Hosiery Mill once the restoration project is complete.

Justin McLean, project manager and building estimator for Neill Grading & Construction, said the setback in construction were due to delays in the final engineering planning.

“We hope to have it completed by the end of the year,” said McLean. “If we stay on track like we have, we can get it done.”

For Dave Fox, owner and Chief Drinking Officer of Skull Coast, the delay almost stopped his company from doing business with one of its most important vendors.

Fox said his company has been serving beer at Carolina Panther football games the last two seasons while it was operating out of another brewery in Fort Mill, S.C.

Fox stopped producing beer in the Palmetto State so that the company could focus on the development in Hickory, which he’d hoped to open in July. However the unexpected delays left Skull Coast with no place to brew.

That’s when Fox decided to contact Howard Brewing Company out of Lenoir to help out.

“Dave Fox, in conjunction with an investor, gave me a call and explained to me his situation that he had nowhere to make beer for the Panthers stadium,” said Jason Howard, owner of the Howard Brewing Company.

Howard said he and Fox agreed to contract brew, an operation that allows one company to brew at another company’s facilities, so that Skull Coast wouldn’t lose its account at Bank of America Stadium.

“I can’t think of another industry that does that,” said Skull Coast First Mate Mark Olsen.

Howard said that Western North Carolina is without a doubt becoming a beer destination. In Hickory, Skull Coast will join Olde Hickory Brewery and Loe's Brewing Company.

“Any craft beer that is sold will help the community because once someone tries one craft beer they typically try others,” said Howard. “Craft beer companies work together more than many would expect.”

When Skull Coast’s brewery is operational, it will again produce its flagship beer named Maelstrom, which is a pale ale. It also will brew two year-round beers, Tortuga Bay IPA and Pirate King, another IPA, and two seasonal beers.


27 June, 2012