E-Malt.com News article: USA, NY: Upstate Brewing Co. expecting approval of expansion project

Just two years since Upstate Brewing Co. opened, the craft brewer in Horseheads is already experiencing growing pains, Stargazette reported on August 4.

The site plans for the brewery’s 432-square-foot expansion were recently approved by Chemung County planners. The plans will also be reviewed by Horseheads town planners at a meeting scheduled on August 6.

Mark Neumann, co-owner of the brewery, said he feels confident the town planners will OK the project.

“This is the second time we’ve come before them,” he said. “The first time, they didn’t have any issues but wanted to wait for the county’s recommendation.”

If Neumann’s prediction holds true, ground should be broken for the addition at the end of August, with a seven- to eight-week build time. The brewery may have to close for a brief period during the construction period, he said.

The addition will be built on the north side of Upstate’s building at 3028 Lake Road. It will create space for an enlarged tap room — nearly three times the size of the brewery’s present tap room. Two walls of the current tap room will then be torn down to make room for three new 500-gallon tanks.

“The demand for the beer is outpacing our ability to make it,” Neumann said. “We’ve signed new agreements with a distributor in the Buffalo area but we haven’t been able to get them any beer. We’re growing a little faster than we planned. We were looking to grow as quickly as we can, but we’re ahead by about a year.”

The beer-drinking public, Neumann says, is becoming more aware of local micro-brewers and are becoming more open to tasting different styles of beers.

“Plus, me and (co-owner Ken Mortensen) are doing a lot of promotions to make them aware,” Neumann said.

Neumann estimates he drives about 500 miles each week contacting potential distributors for Upstate’s beers. The mileage figure doesn’t include the trips to beer tastings and other similar events.

“It’s been a strong effort,” he said. “I have tastings scheduled for every weekend until October.”

Those promotional efforts, and those of the region’s other craft brewers, are apparently working. According to the New York State Brewers Association, the number of micro brewers in New York rose from 95 in 2012 to 165 this year, with 40 more on the drawing board. New York was the sixth-largest beer-producing state in the U.S. in 2012. That same year, the state’s craft brewers boosted their overall production by 26 percent over the previous year.

The outlook for breweries in New York State remains strong, the association says, with more breweries-in-planning than ever, continued volume increases and growth in distribution in and out of state.

“New legislation has made it easier to open a brewery, but more importantly, the public wants better beer, which is opening new marketplaces,” said Paul Leone, executive director of the state Brewer’s Association. “A lot of them are very small, are happy serving small communities.”

Upstate’s new tanks will boost the brewer’s capacity by about 1,500 gallons. Neumann said most of the extra capacity will be used for the brewer’s three current brews.

While Upstate Brewing is plotting its expansion, a new brew house is planned for Hector. Grist Iron Brewing Co. will be located six miles outside of Watkins Glen.

The brewery and tap-room will measure approximately 3,500 square feet will be devoted to a tap-room, restaurant and brewery. The brewery will produce approximately 1,000 barrels of craft beer annually.

Grist Iron Brewing Co. anticipates an early 2015 opening.


06 August, 2014