image courtesy of Brew Hub.
The experiment called Brew Hub officially becomes reality today as the 51,000-square-foot “partner brewery” holds the grand opening of its tasting room in Lakeland.
Briefly, the concept is to have a place for existing craft breweries and brewpubs to expand their production while maintaining full control over the brewing process. This differs from the contract brewing model, in which a brewer often just hands over the recipe to another brewery for production.
This is not necessarily a bad thing – sometimes it is the only financially feasible way for a brewery to get off the ground – but it does give some brewers pause.
In the case of one Florida-based brewing company, it will allow it to bring full production from a South Carolina brewery.
Tom Moench, president and founder of Orange Blossom Brewing Company (formerly Orange Blossom Pilsner) has wanted to make his beers in the Sunshine State since entering into an agreement nine years ago with Thomas Creek Brewing in Greenville, South Carolina. After a few other attempts that did not come to fruition, his dream will become reality at Brew Hub, as he moves full production there.
“Having limited production quantities for so long, we are excited for the growth opportunity,” Moench said in a statement.
The move will allow OBBC to expand its production beyond its current three brands. The first of several new brews – an American Style IPA named “Back in the Day IPA” – is expected to be released in the next few months, Moench said.
Besides OBBC, other partner breweries announced are: Tampa’s Cigar City Brewing; BJ’s Brewhouse, a California-based casual-dining chain whose house brews are made off-site – previously its closest contract brewery to Florida was Saint Arnold Brewing in Houston; and Green Man Brewing Company, one of Asheville, North Carolina’s original craft breweries.
IF YOU’RE GOING:
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What: Brew Hub Tasting Room Grand Opening
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Where: 3900 S Frontage Rd, Lakeland, FL
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When: Friday and Saturday (Sept. 5-6), 4 to 10 p.m.
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For more information: (863) 698-7600 or http://brewhub.com/
Great Post!!!