Springfield Brewing Co. to add on, triple capacity

After years of leasing the 6,000-square-foot building behind Springfield Brewing Co., owners bought the structure last week in a move that will triple brewing capacity.

“We were at capacity where we are. We couldn’t brew more,” said Ashton Lewis, a partner and head brewmaster. “Based on sales projections, we need the extra space.”

Of the current 21,000-square-foot SBC on the corner of Market Street and McDaniel Avenue downtown, Lewis said only 6,000 square feet is dedicated to brewing. The added real estate, purchased for undisclosed terms, will double floor space and eight 30-barrel Paul Mueller Co. stainless steel tanks will ramp up production.

“The buildings already share a wall, so we plan to install a roll-up garage door,” Lewis said. “That new portion won’t be open to the public. It’s just for brewing.”

With Mueller tanks currently under construction and ready for installation in February and following minor renovations – addition of floor drains, a beer storage refrigerator and HVAC repairs – Lewis hopes to start using the space for production by the end of March.

SBC has 30 beers in its lineup for the 2016 calendar, with six beers on tap in the restaurant at any given time and four varieties for retail sale. Lewis looks to add one special and one seasonal to the mix.

“Sales have gone up consistently since we purchased the brewery,” said Lewis, of the 2011 buy from Mueller Co., but declining to disclose sales numbers.

While SBC shares an owner – Christina Chanter – with the nearby Brewery District Lofts under construction, Lewis said the SBC expansion is not associated with the mixed use project.

Lewis said the building purchase – the former home of Menzie’s Auto Painting & Body – would allow SBC to add an undetermined number of staff in the coming year.