USA, GA: Sweetwater Brewing retires Exodus Porter, looks to expand its distribution in Southeast

Atlanta’s Sweetwater Brewing announced on April, 8 that it will discontinue its year-round Exodus Porter, a 6.2 percent brew that was primarily available in Atlanta and various Southeast markets.

Brewery spokesman Steve Farace said that the decision to cease production of Exodus was difficult, but that it will allow the company to further experiment with its ‘Dank Tank’ and cask beer offerings.

“We looked at where we are going over the next few months and few years and decided that it would be best to streamline a few things in the brewhouse,” he said.

The beer did not comprise a significant amount of Sweetwater’s production and its 420 Pale Ale is still over 50 percent of the company’s business, Farace said. The company made a similar decision in 2012 when it retired the year-round Sch’Wheat pale wheat ale.

A number of other changes are on tap for the brewery in 2013. Last week, it rolled out 12-packs of its IPA, a new package that Farace said consumers have been requesting for a while. They’re targeting grocery and independent package stores with the new package.

Sweetwater will also expand its distribution into Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and the Florida Keys next month; Farace also hinted that the three new southern states may see product before the end of summer.

Sweetwater made 110,000 barrels of beer in 2012 and is projecting 145,000 barrels for 2013. The current capacity at its newly renovated facility is approximately 400,000 barrels.

10 April, 2013