USA, CA & IL: Lagunitas Brewing Co. to build brewery in Chicago

Lagunitas Brewing Co., based in California, is putting down roots in Chicago, Chicago Tribune reported on April, 10.

The maker of Lagunitas beers is planning to build a brewery at the old Ryerson steel mill, with construction expected to be completed by July 2013 and the first mash in the fourth quarter of 2013. The $15 mln to $18 mln facility, with an eventual 600,000-barrel capacity is being built as an exact copy of the Petaluma brewery.

"We need to continue to add capacity because sales are growing," Lagunitas founder Tony Magee said in an interview. "I can add capacity in Petaluma, 2,500 miles from where I'm pretty sure I'm going to sell it, or I can add capacity there and get all of the diesel out the beer."

Magee estimated that any 22-ounce bottle West Coast beer has used about 4 ounces of diesel to reach Chicago. He added that the fuel savings will eventually pay for the plant.

Magee expects to have 50 employees at the outset, and as many as 100 within five years.

"The future of craft brewing is going to be local, it should be," he said. "And I sure want to be part of that future."

11 April, 2012