E-Malt.com News article: USA, CT: Two Roads Brewing Company to build a new brewing facility

The Two Roads Brewing Company announced Monday, Dec. 19, that it has completed an $18 mln financing to build a “state-of-the-art” brewing facility, which founders said will create 70 jobs.

Long-time friends and business associates Brad Hittle, Peter Doering and Clem Pellani are teaming up to fulfill a brewing dream. Hittle and Pellani worked together in the 1990s on various craft brewing projects and more recently on several craft beer projects at Pabst Brewing Company, where Hittle was chief marketing officer for five years. Doering is Hittle’s long-time friend, both having grown up and resided in Connecticut, and brings manufacturing, operations and financial expertise.

The team is in discussions with several nationally recognized brewers to bring in a fourth partner, according to a press release.

Two Roads Brewing Company is purchasing and revitalizing what it called one of New England’s many idle landmark manufacturing buildings, built the early 1900s. Situated on 6.6 acres, the building is on the site of the U.S. Baird Corporation, where machines and other parts were made for 100 years.

“Connecticut towns have so many beautiful old buildings that beg to be used for productive purposes and for job creation,” Hittle said. “This particular building is perfectly suited for a brewing because it is so solidly built, it has a high-bay center that can accommodate tall fermenting tanks, and it has ample room for us to grow into.”

The brewery has a large parking area for visitors and for staging outdoor events, and is conveniently located on Stratford Avenue off of I-95.

It will feature a top-of-the-line Rolec 100 barrel brew house and all new high speed bottling, canning and kegging equipment. The building will feature an expansive tasting room, looking out over the brew house, for private events and public tours.

“Stratford Mayor John Harkins and his staff have been huge supporters of this project, recognizing that Two Roads Brewery will be a beacon of growth and opportunity in Connecticut,” Hittle said. “We also have to tip our hats to the teams at the Connecticut Development Authority and the Department of Economic and Community Development who played a key role in helping us finance this project.”

“We couldn’t be more pleased that Two Roads will be finding a home in Stratford and we look forward to the opening day with great anticipation,” Harkins said. “We are also very pleased that the new business is set to create 15 new jobs in the first year and ultimately produce 70 new jobs.”

The brewery name relates to the classic poem “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost.

“We want to take a unique and differentiated approach to everything we do to delight our consumers, our community and our employees. That includes our beers, our culture, and our location,” Hittle explained.

Two Roads Brewing Company will complete its renovations and equipment installations over the summer and will begin brewing its craft beers at that time.


21 December, 2011