US, TN: Ghost River Brewing doubling brewing capacity to keep up with growing demand

Memphis-based Ghost River Brewing will double its beer-brewing capacity and bottle its beers later this year, The Commercial Appeal reported earlier this week.

New fermentation tanks, a new steam boiler and refrigeration units will arrive at the brewery either later this month or in May.

"But most exciting of all, we will be installing a new 12-head bottle filler and will begin packaging Ghost River beers in 12-ounce bottles," according to the company's website.

Because of the expansion, the brewery has cancelled all April tours of the facility at 827 S. Main. However, its dock will remain open for normal sales during regularly scheduled hours.

The brewery's website said that due to construction and increased demand for its beer, Ghost River is unable to ship all the beer that distributors order from it.

"We are experiencing 'rolling shortages,'" the site said. "Both the brewery and our distributor are often running out of styles of beer before the next batch is ready."

The company also asks consumers to be patient with bars or restaurants that may be out of a Ghost River brand or beer.

"It is not their fault," the site said. "We hope to fill this backlog of orders when our new tanks arrive in late April or early May."

15 April, 2011