Champion Brewing Co. is expanding into an additional production brewing facility, with a lease to commence effective Dec. 1, 2013. Owner and Head Brewer Hunter Smith announced plans to produce the company’s popular flagship beers on the statewide level and provide retail packaged goods.
Champion, nearing its one-year anniversary, is ready for a 10-fold expansion. The Virginia brewer secured financing through Wells Fargo and purchased a brand new brewhouse from Premier Stainless.
With the purchase of a 30-barrel (930-gallon) Premier Stainless brewhouse, Champion Brewing will operate the largest brewhouse in Charlottesville, Va., and one of the top five largest brewhouses in Virginia. The financing, tank order and construction of the brewery’s tenfold expansion will take place before its first anniversary.
The Charlottesville production facility is being financed in part by Wells Fargo Bank N.A., and the company will continue to operate its three-barrel brewhouse and tap room in the Belmont neighborhood, serving and brewing rotating additions and experimental beers. The brewers will use its small brewery for more barrel-aged beers and sour beer production.
Construction will take place upon lease commencement with plans to commence brewing by late spring 2014.
Beer drinkers can expect popular beers such as the Missile IPA, Killer Kolsch and Belmont Brown on draft and in cans, as well as other seasonal releases. Champion Brewing opened its doors on Dec. 21, 2012, and produced more than 35 different beers in its first year of operation. Champion Brewing is currently distributed by Hop and Wine Beverage Distributors.
