E-Malt.com News article: USA, FL: Big Storm Brewery expanding rapidly

Big Storm Brewery opened in 2012; at that time its goal was to produce 1,000 barrels of beer a year. Now, the growing brewery is "on track for about 3,500", Tampabay.com reported on December 12.

The brewing company has probably grown "a thousand percent" since brewing began in the summer of 2012, said Bishop.

"We had to grow just to keep up," he said.

Bishop met Yarn, in 2002, while both were students at the University of South Florida. Both really liked beer. Bishop was initially hesitant when Yam suggested they brew beer as a business. Bishop learned the craft and business of beer making as an intern at the Dunedin Brewery on and off for a couple years, but "I had no intentions of trying to open a brewery." But after a while, Bishop agreed.

Now, Bishop is head brewer for Big Storm, which means "what we brew, when we brew (and) anything inside the brewery is my world," he said. Yarn handles sales and distribution and manages vendor relations.

Bishop said, "The plan's to stay in the state of Florida — for now."

A year and a half ago, Big Storm beer was on tap at 15 bars across Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. Now they're in about 100 bars, Bishop said, on both coasts and as far south as Key West, and throughout the entire Tampa Bay area.

Pasco drinkers can buy it at local bars or at the brewery. But the taproom, which didn't exist when the brewery opened in 2012, isn't a bar.

"We don't serve liquor or wine, we only serve our beers," Bishop said.

There are six beers on tap all "cooked" in what Bishop calls the "stainless steel farm" that dominates Big Storm's 2,500-square foot warehouse. Big Storm brews two or three days a week.



13 December, 2013