USA, PA: Funk Brewing Company opening soon in Emmaus

Funk Brewing Co. LLC opens its microbrewery in Emmaus in January. The company plans to sell and produce different beers, which are half-gallon refillable bottles known as growlers, Lehigh Valley Business reports.

"Our business model is to package kegs to sell to bars and restaurants," said Kyle Funk co-owner.

The company leased 2,775 square feet of flex space at 23 S. Sixth St. in Emmaus, PA and will have an additional 4,000-square-foot fenced parking lot, said Jay Haines, vice president of NAI Summit in South Whitehall Township. The lease will be for 38 months.

Funk Brewing will have a 15-barrel system. One barrel is equivalent to 31 gallons.

"We'll be able to produce 465 gallons per batch," Funk said.

A batch typically takes two to three weeks to create from start to finish, he added.

Beers include an India Pale Ale, Blonde Ale, Pale Ale and rotating seasonal beers.

The company hired a full-time brewer and two-part time bartenders. Funk and another partner own the business, Funk said.

"I have a pretty deep passion for craft beer," he said. "The craft beer market has taken off over the past five years. More young people are getting into it. It's exploding."

The company plans to team up with a distributor, with a main focus first on local market penetration, followed by expanded growth.

Once the company obtains all its building permits, it will begin construction renovations, he added.

Funk said the company budgeted $400,000 for the construction retrofit.

06 November, 2013