E-Malt.com News article: USA, NC,GA & VA: Aberdeen brewery planning to expand beer distribution to Georgia, Virginia

Railhouse Brewery in Aberdeen is planning to expand craft beer distribution to Georgia and Virginia by July, thanks to sales growth of 216 percent in 2013 over 2012, Triangle Business Journal reported on March 10.

During its first year of operation in 2010, Railhouse sold 360 barrels. This year, owners Brian Evitts and Mike Ratkowski are expanding production to 2,000 barrels.

“We are thrilled with the tremendous growth we have witnessed over the past year and are excited to see Railhouse in the hands of so many customers throughout North and South Carolina,” says Brian Evitts, co-owner and brewmaster. “Our continued expansion has been carefully planned, but we have exceeded our own expectations.”

The brewery was founded in 2010 in Aberdeen and is currently the only brewery in Moore County. At the time, the establishment was a 3,000-square-foot space, which has since doubled in size. In the past six months, the brewers have purchased three additional fermentation and conditioning tanks and will add three more by the end of the year to brew their English-style ales.

Three weeks ago, the beer hit shelves in three local Harris Teeter locations, and is now being sold in 23 Harris Teeter locations across the state, says Lisa Lange, the brewery’s marketing representative.

The signature beer one can see in the store is KA-BAR Brown Ale, featuring the general issue knife used by the United States Marine Corps in World War II. The brewery has partnered with New York-based KA-BAR Company, which hands out a free Railhouse beer to anyone who purchases a knife at a show.

The beers getting ready to head out of state are the Mastiff Oatmeal Stout, the KA-BAR Brown Ale and the FCA IPA. The beers have been sold in South Carolina for about a year and a half, and by 2015, the owners of Railhouse hope to expand to Tennessee and Florida.


12 March, 2014