USA, IA: Worth Brewing Co. to expand in Northwood

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, congratulated Northwood’s Worth Brewing Co., as its owners on June 12 announced plans for a major expansion across the street from their present location on Central Avenue, Northwood, Albert Lea Tribune reported on June 14.

The expansion, which is slated for completion in early 2016, will increase brewery space by about five times and production capacity by about thirty times.

“This is a growing entrepreneurial business and an opportunity to meet the needs of Iowa,” Branstad said.

Worth Brewing Co., which opened its doors in 2007 on Northwood’s Central Avenue, Northwood, is the smallest commercial brewery in Iowa. The business was founded by the husband-and-wife-team of Peter Ausenhus and Margaret Bishop.

Ausenhus said when they opened in 2007 there were only about seven to 10 breweries in the state. Now there are about 55.

Ausenhus, an award-winning brewer and national beer judge, started the brewery in a former bank building with equipment capable of producing only a fraction of the annual volume that most breweries could produce.

He said they have brewed 2,000 batches since they opened.

As part of the expansion, Ausenhus plans to increase distribution of Worth Brewing Co. Plans may also include expansion into bottling for retail sales.

According to a news release, the expansion is being made possible through funding from the Northwood Economic Development Corp. and other private investors.

17 June, 2015