E-Malt.com News article: USA, IL: Rockford Brewing Company owners announce expansion project

The duo behind Rockford Brewing Company - Reed Sjostrom and Chris Manuel - say they're expanding because one room for their 14 tanks and dozens of kegs just isn't enough anymore, WIFR reported on June 19.

"I did not imagine it would get this big this fast," said Sjostrom, Prairie St.’s Vice President. Until the fall of 2013, Sjostrom says he was just a construction worker. Then the Rockford local decided he was going to brew his own beer, while renovating an old brewhouse. "The idea of expanding the brewery has always been on our mind and it's probably just gonna have to happen sooner rather than later," he said.

A 30-barrell fermenter is one of three new tanks that will allow the brewery to produce 8,000 more pints of beer a month.

"Distribution starting up, kegs getting out to bars, we got some really cool can designs coming, and we'll be the first one in town to have a crowler," Sjostrom said.

Crowlers are spin-offs of refillable, glass howlers/growlers: 32 ounces of local beer in a single use aluminum can.

"It's gonna be fantastic,” he said. “I mean, boaters can come in, order a six-pack of whatever beer anybody wants that's on our taps; we'll fill up the cans, we'll seal them up, and they can be out the door on the river drinking nice, fresh, local beer while they're cruising up and down the river."

"Good beer and sunshine makes for a good day," agreed Clint Bowling, from his boat.

Some boaters are excited they'll be able to support local beer more often, and for one group the decision is a no-brainer.

"West Coast,” they take turns saying. “West Coast, yeah, West Coast IPA is pretty good."

"We could probably be doing this somewhere else, and probably making more money, but that's not what it's about," Sjostrom reasoned.

Sjostrom and Manuel say they are completely invested in Rockford and think this is only the beginning. They have aspirations to open a distillery in Chicago but say Rockford will remain the company’s headquarters.


20 June, 2016