E-Malt.com News article: USA, AL: Big Beach Brewing Co. joins Alabama craft brewing scene

The craft and boutique beer boom sweeping the nation shows no signs of slowing down, and now Gulf Shores, Ala. has been added to the growing list of microbreweries in Alabama with the opening of Big Beach Brewing Co., AL.com reported on October 25.

Big Beach Brewery is the second one to tap the Baldwin County market, behind Fairhope Brewing Co. The Eastern Shore brewery has been popular with bars at the beach after opening in early 2013 and is currently the only active brewery in Lower Alabama. Serda Brewing Co. is still working on opening in Mobile at the time of this writing but they are moving forward.

For Big Beach, it all began in July of 2015 when dentist Dr. Jim Shamburger stood before City Council with a new name and new location for the business. Shamburger and his wife, Julie, asked the city for a conditional use permit to open Big Beach Brewery on the corner of East 2nd Street and East 24th Avenue, across from Tacky Jack's in the Waterway Village District.

Fast forward to Oct. 2016 and the Shamburgers' dream has come true with construction completed in late September. The name of the brewery is a play on the official slogan of Gulf Shores: "Small Town, Big Beach." About 100 people came out last week for a soft opening but owners expect a much larger crowd for the grand opening slated for Oct. 28.

Like many beer enthusiasts, Jim began honed his brewing skills at home but soon found himself wanting to brew beer on a larger scale.

"You know, beer is fun. And Julie and I were home-brewing and then we were taking the finished product around to parties and weddings and it got so popular that we said 'hey, we have to think about bringing this beer to other people by opening a brewery at the Alabama Gulf Coast."

During the soft opening dozens of people sat at tables outside and inside as well as at the bar. As of now, about 6 beers are available but Jim hopes up to a dozen will be canned and on tap in local establishments. Jessica Welborn was tasting each one.

"I think they're all very good and I'm very glad something like a brewery came to Gulf Shores," Welborn said.

"Well I think at first we're looking to distribute to Mobile County and Baldwin County," Jim said. "Eventually the goal is to get up to Birmingham and Tuscaloosa. Our distributor has that territory. For now, we need to make it here and take care of our local customers right here in Gulf Shores."

Big Beach Brewing Co. will hold a grand opening on Friday, Oct. 28, 2016. Location: 300 E. 24th Street, Gulf Shores, Ala.


24 October, 2016