E-Malt.com News article: USA, NC: Triple C Brewing Co. to expand its South End operation

Triple C Brewing Co. is expanding the brewing capacity at its South End operation by 137 percent to meet growing demand for its beers, bizjournals.com reported on September, 23.

On tap is a $400,000 project that will add a range of equipment to Triple C’s 20,000-square-foot facility, says Chris Harker, one of the owners.

Harker and Triple C head brewer Scott Kimball opened the brewery and taproom in 2012. The operation is divided between the brewhouse and taproom, with excess space being used as a warehouse.

“We got a bigger building on purpose and always hoped to grow into it — we just never thought it would be so soon,” Harker says.

The brewery has a 15-barrel brewhouse. That gives it the capacity to brew 3,960 barrels per year, he adds.

This year, Triple C anticipates it will brew 3,200 barrels — each of which holds 31 gallons of beer.

“We’re pretty much maxed out with our current capacity, and want to keep all our obligations,” Harker says.

The upgrade will allow for 9,400 barrels to be brewed annually.

Equipment updates include a bigger walk-in cooler, additional fermentation pads to accommodate more tanks, as well as three, 30-barrel tanks to store beer during the carbonation and clarification process. Adding a whirlpool will allow for beer to be brewed faster, without the costly expansion to a 30-barrel brewhouse, Harker says.

“We’ve still got a lot of life in our brewhouse,” he says.

Harker says other additions such as a 30-foot silo capable of holding 50,000 pounds of grain will help cut costs by allowing Triple C to buy in bulk versus purchasing 50-pound bags of grain.

“We just want to keep nimble and continue to create new beers,” Harker says.

Triple C also intends to add a canning line to support additional wholesale sales. Harker notes the popular Golden Boy Blonde and 3C IPA will be available in cans once that line is up and running.

The brewery already bottles some of its beers, which are sold by retailers such as Harris Teeter and at local bottle shops. It also sells to area bars and restaurants.

“The goal for the expansion would be to pursue more wholesale and retail accounts,” Harker says.

That includes a bigger footprint in the Triangle as well as possible expansion into South Carolina.

Triple C worked with Redline Design Group on the expansion plans. HarkerDoerre will be the contractor.


24 September, 2014