USA, CO: Shine Brewing Co. to open in Boulder

As the U.S. craft brewing industry continues to grow its market share, the craft beer scene in Boulder just added another player. The operators of Shine Restaurant & Gathering Place, in downtown Boulder, have finalized their federal paperwork to operate Shine Brewing Co., Dailycamera.com reported on March, 27.

"When the opportunity came and presented itself, it just fit in perfectly with what we're doing," said Jill Emich, who operates Shine with sisters Jen and Jessica.

When the Emich triplets opened Shine three months ago, they also purchased the brewing equipment in the back of the restaurant -- which previously was home to Los Oasis, the Boulder Draft House and RedFish.

The Emichs are working with brewmaster Mike Kasian, who most recently worked with Los Oasis and the Draft House's Colorado Brewing Co. Combining his experience with their interest in experimenting should result in some unique brews, Jill said.

The brewery will have six beers: Trilogy IPA, Pohoda Pilsner, Down Dog Imperial Red, Shine Pale Ale, Sanitas Imperial Stout and a yet-to-be-named gluten-free beer.

The Emichs are in discussions with a couple of downtown Boulder restaurants to carry Shine Brewing's beer on tap and, eventually, they plan to can their beers for broader distribution, she said.

"It's a whole other level of business," she said. "It's a whole beast within itself."

Shine Brewing is coming on line after a year of double-digit sales and volume growth for craft brewers.

Last year, U.S. craft beer volume grew by 13 percent, and retail sales increased 15 percent, according to the Boulder-based Brewers Association, which released its 2011 data on the craft brewing industry.

The gains helped the sector increase its market share by volume to 5.68 percent, from 4.97 percent, with the production of nearly 11.5 mln barrels.

Dollar sales grew to $8.7 bln last year, an increase of $1.1 bln, which gives craft brewers a 9.1 percent share of the $95.5 bln U.S. beer industry, according to the Brewers Association report.

"While the overall beer market experienced a 1.32 percent volume decrease in 2011, craft brewing saw significant growth, surpassing five percent total market volume share for the first time," Paul Gatza, director of the Brewers Association, said in the report. "It's becoming increasingly clear that with the variety of styles and flavors to choose from, Americans are developing a strong taste for high-quality, small-batch beer from independent brewers."

28 March, 2012