E-Malt.com News article: USA, FL: Tomoka Brewery’s new location will allow it to expand distribution

Pete Szunyogh had always dreamed of expanding his business, but he never thought he and partner Jennifer Hawkins would be able to do it so soon, The Daytona Beach News Journal reported on July 5.

“We thought it would happen in a couple years,” the co-owner of Tomoka Brewery said. “But it’s happening after one year and we’re excited about it.”

Szunyogh said he and Hawkins, who were celebrating the first anniversary of their business on July5, are now making plans to open a second location in Volusia County. Details, including the site of that future location, are still being worked out, he said.

Tomoka Brewery, at 188 E. Granada Blvd. in Ormond Beach, has a one-barrel brewing capacity but Szunyogh said the new location will have a 15-barrel capacity, which will allow the business to distribute its beer throughout the area.

Szunyogh said the new brewery will employ 15 to 20 people. He said he hopes the new spot, which will likely be in Daytona Beach or Port Orange, can open by year’s end.

Tomoka Brewery was the only locally owned brewpub in Volusia County when it opened.

There are now three, with two more — counting the planned second location for Tomoka Brewery — on the way. The other breweries now open in Volusia County are Ormond Brewing Co. and New Smyrna Beach Brewing Co.

On the county’s west side, Persimmon Hollow Brewing Co. in downtown DeLand is scheduled to start serving to the public in August.

Costa Magoulas, dean of the Daytona State College School of Hospitality and Culinary Management, said the area is starting to see the emergence of a trend that has overtaken the rest of the nation.

“The wave has finally hit the Southeast,” he said.

Magoulas said over the years the beer market has changed with people looking for different tastes. A key to success for the new breweries will be delivering great products, he said.

“It’s just like a restaurant: If you serve good food and have good service, you’re going to do really well,” he said. “They’re serving what people like. I don’t see that waning as long as they maintain the quality and service.”


09 July, 2014