Atwater Brewery Success Pushes Expansion Plans for 2015

Record sales for 2014 enable Southeast Michigan’s largest brewery to boost production
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2014 was a very good year for Atwater Brewery. Sales jumped 68% over 2013, production increased, new distribution channels were formed, a second location was opened, and Decadent Dark Chocolate Ale won an award at the World Beer Cup.

This success, although cause for a celebration, is driving growth and availability instead of creating a sense of complacency.

“We’re on a good roll with the wind at our back,” says owner Mark Rieth. “We’re passionate about what we do and we’re dedicated, as we have been since we started, to the idea of ‘bringing Detroit everywhere’ and making a difference in the communities where we operate.”

Detroit and Beyond

The goal for Atwater is to increase production up to 60,000 barrels of beer for 2015. Reith and his team will be expanding the original riverfront location on Joseph Campau by 40,000 square feet. This expansion will benefit the economy with construction jobs, as well as plans to hire an additional 20 people for brewery operations.

In addition to the Detroit expansion, plans are to finish building a brewery in Austin, Texas. The Texas facility will handle West Coast expansion into Colorado and California — and beyond — with plans to be distributing internationally and in 26 states in the U.S.

New state-of-the-art brewing equipment will be installed at both brewing facilities.

“Our home is in a vintage 1919 factory in Detroit but our brewing equipment is all new and comes directly from Germany,” Rieth says. “We use a traditional brewing process that’s over 200 years old and we stay true to the heritage style of traditional German lagers just like the old Detroit breweries did.”.

Atwater in the Park

Atwater in the Park, the company’s Grosse Pointe Park taproom and pilot brewery/distillery, is also making news.

Jetsetter.com voted them in the top 10 as one of America’s Best New Beer Halls.

Poorboy Smoked Porter, the first beer created at this facility to get released in six packs, recently hit store shelves.

The biergarten/tap house concept has proved successful. They hope to open two new locations in Michigan this year.

Expanding Beverage Lineup

Atwater will also be adding additional beverages and packages to its lineup.

Atwater Spirits’ distilled offerings will launch this summer, initially with Dirty Blonde Vodka, Gin, and Rum. And Atwater Whiskey/Bourbon is also in the works.

Atwater will also enter the cider game. Look for Detroit Dry Cider and the sweeter Apple Crisp Cider to hit stores and taps in the middle of the year.

Atwater will also start offering three of their beers in new 16 oz. can options.

Visit Atwater

Atwater Brewery
237 Joseph Campau
Detroit, MI 48207
313-877-9205
www.atwaterbeer.com

Atwater in the Park
1175 Lakepointe St.
Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230
313-344-5104