USA, WI: Lakefront Brewery reports record year

Lakefront Brewery announced on January, 17, it had a record year in 2011, producing 23,576 barrels of beer, up from 17,641 barrels in 2010.

Brewery officials credited a number of strategic moves, including packaging its flagship Riverwest Stein brand in 12-packs, as reasons for the growth.

Russ Klisch, Lakefront Brewery president, said the 34% production increase is the result of growth in the portfolio of the brewery's brands and the brewer's strong partnership with its Milwaukee-area distributor, Beer Capitol.

Klisch said sales through Beer Capitol were up 38% in 2011, reaching a 160,000 case equivalent.

Chris Johnson, Lakefront marketing director, said the brewery introduced a black IPA style beer and a new beer series called "My Turn," in which every three to four months, one employee gets to brew his dream style of beer.

The brewery also released its Fixed Gear brand in six-packs, previously only available in single 22-ounce bottles, and created a 22-ounce, four-pack sampler called the "Lakefront 88."

The decision to package Riverwest Stein in 12-packs gave a bump to the brewery's flagship brand, Klisch said.

Keeping up with demand nationally has been challenging for the brewery in 2011, Klisch said. "We have gone through an expansion of our brewery in the past year, which should allow us to grow another 50%," he said in a statement.

For 2012, the brewer plans to have new six-pack designs for its entire line by the end of the year. Also, the company will begin selling its IPA in 12-packs.

18 January, 2012