USA, WI: Good City Brewing LLC to debut in Milwaukee this year

The first brewery on Milwaukee's east side is joining five other microbreweries that plan to debut in 2016, Milwaukee Business Journal reported on February 22.

Good City Brewing LLC signed a lease and will begin construction to convert the former Crank Daddy's Bicycle Works space at 2108 N. Farwell Ave. into a production brewery.

The 6,600-square-foot space will house a 17-barrel brewhouse capable of producing a maximum of 10,000 barrels per year. Co-founder David Dupee of crowdfunding platform CraftFund, said the brewery will start out at about 2,000 barrels per year, under leadership of brewmaster and co-founder Andy Jones.

The brewery, like the other five new microbreweries opening in Milwaukee this year, will look to sell its beer out of the taproom and through distribution to other bars and retailers. The added volume will help grow Milwaukee's reputation as a beer destination, but will also increase competition for tap handle and shelf space in the region.

Good City raised the funds for the project, about $1.4 million in total, through a private offering and an SBA loan facilitated by Alterra Bank, Dupee said.

The brewery will include a taproom, a full kitchen and seating for 130. At the planned June opening, the brewery will offer eight to 10 different styles of beers. The brewery will hire 10 to 15 employees, and Dupee said the menu is still in development.

“We are grateful that Milwaukee recognizes the opportunity in craft beer and the positive impact breweries have in their neighborhoods and beyond," Dupee said. "We’ve wanted an urban brewery in the east side area ever since 2009 when we made the intentional decision to put down roots here, so it is exciting to make it a reality."

Rinka Chung Architecture designed the urban taproom. Milwaukee real estate developer Dan Katt is the third co-founder leading the project.

The other five production breweries planning to open in Milwaukee in 2016 are MobCraft Beer LLC, City Lights Brewing Co., Pabst Brewing Co., Third Space Brewing Co. and Black Husky Brewing Co.

24 February, 2016