USA, NV & WI: Nevada brewery plans operation in Franklin

Joseph James Brewing Co. plans to open a second brewery in Franklin to help it serve new markets in the Midwest and Northeast, Journal Sentinel reported on January, 17.

Joseph James Brewing Co. plans to operate the brewery in Franklin Business Park. The company will lease around 6,000 square feet within the Oakwood Commerce Center, a light industrial building.

Joseph James is based in Henderson, Nevada, near Las Vegas, where it opened its first brewery in 2006, said Matt Lisowski, vice president of operations and marketing.

The company has grown quickly, quadrupling its sales, and needs a second facility to keep up with demand while moving beyond its Western base, Lisowski said.

Beer made at the Franklin brewery will be sold in Wisconsin, Illinois and other Midwest states, as well as such East Coast states as New York, New Jersey and Virginia, he said.

Along with being relatively close to some of those new markets, Franklin is a good location because its municipal water supply is drawn from Oak Creek, which provides "wonderful water" for making beer, Lisowski said.

He also said the Franklin building has enough room to accommodate an expansion if more space is needed.

The operation initially will have around eight employees, with three of those transferring from Nevada, Matt Lisowski said. He hopes to be brewing around 15,000 barrels of beer annually in Franklin within three years, with around 20 to 25 employees.

20 January, 2012