We come forward to the present, looking to the future. Arcadia Ales has been growing over the past 16 years. They now have presence in over 10 states outside of Michigan and have won awards at the World Beer Cup and the Great American Beer Fest. Now coming up within the next year they will be adding on with a new production facility in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
The current plan is to maintain the facility in Battle Creek (housing a 25 barrel Peter Austin Brewing system). This is where their ales have been born and nurtured into the world class beers they are today. The intention is to use the original brewery not only in its current capacity but also for research and development of future beers.
The new facility will be bumped up to a 50 barrel brew house taking their current capacity from currently 10,000 barrels annually to 30,000 barrels annually (with a possible future capacity of 60,000). Growth is factored in to this expansion. An outdoor smokehouse and eatery will also be featured at the new location (with plans for a beer garden).
Along with the decline of the auto industry, we have now been seeing a decline in the big three of the beer industry. All this while craft beer and slow food are on the rise. It is with the success and growth of breweries like Arcadia Ales that we find hope on the horizon for Michigan’s future, Michigan the Great Beer State.
Time for a pint of Michigan Beer…
Jon Jefferson, a home brewer and writer also maintains a blog at 10th Day Brewing.
