USA, NY: Stillwater Artisanal brewing opening up facility in Brooklyn

Stillwater Artisanal brewing is opening up a production facility in Brooklyn, New York, and is launching a new line of beers called "Production", the Baltimore Business Journal reported on July 21.

Brain Strumke, the founder of Stillwater and a Baltimore native, recently signed a lease for a 5,000-square-foot facility in Brooklyn to hold a brewery and food hall. The space, scheduled to be open by the spring, will serve pub food every day for lunch and dinner, Strumke said, in a food hall style where customers will order their food at a counter and have it brought to them.

Strumke started Stillwater in the back yard of his Baltimore home in 2004, and started to distribute in 2010. Today, it can be found in 12 different countries, including Canada, South Korea, Australia and Brazil.

Up until this point, Stillwater has been what's known as a "gypsy brewer," meaning production is carried out in a variety of facilities all across the world. Strumke said most of Stillwater's brewing has been done recently in Denver and Connecticut, but he's leased equipment in 15 different countries.

Strumke said he's already gotten questions about why he'd pick a permanent facility outside of Baltimore. But he said he's always thought about Stillwater as a global brand and never wanted to tie it specifically to Baltimore.

Strumke said he's mainly been working out of an office in Brooklyn for the past five years, making the new facility a natural progression for him.

"This is just one other step," he said, adding that after the $2 million New York facility opens, he wants to look for a new space on the West Coast.

Stillwater is known for its Gose Gone Wild sour beer and Cellar Door ale. With the new project, Strumke will also launch a new line of beers called "Production," which will mainly consist of barrel- and wood-aged beers.

By opening up a permanent home, he can spend more time crafting the recipes and testing different kinds of hops and yeast.

"This project will allow me to take as much time as I need and do a lot more experimentation," he said.

Strumke used to be a partner at Of Love & Regret in Brewer's Hill, where many of Stillwater's beers are served, but he said he has sold his stake in the restaurant.

20 July, 2017