GoodLife Brewing enters multiphase expansion with new fermenting tanks, canning line

Seeing the increasing demand for production, GoodLife Brewing has started 2014 by beginning a multiphase expansion at the brewery in Bend, Ore. The first phase of the 2.5-year-old brewery’s expansion is the addition of three fermenting tanks, making the brewery’s annual capacity 27,000 barrels (bbls), and the second phase is the installation of an 18-head canning line.

Speaking of cans …. Be sure to check out our latest feature: “Five keys to choosing the right can and can supplier for your craft beer”

Here is how GoodLife’s growth is mapped out: The 22,000-square-foot brewery that started out empty is now quickly filling, as GoodLife Brewing adds two 240-bbl fermenting tanks and a 130-bbl lager tank. With sales growing from 3,100 bbls in 2012 to 9,000 in 2013, the three tanks will grow GoodLife’s capacity from 12,800 bbls to 27,000 bbls.

“We knew that by starting with a big space and 30-bbl brewhouse, we’d have the unique ability to grow organically as our demand grew,” said Head Brewer and Owner Curt Plants. “The 240-bbl fermenters will be used for package, which will free up the current tanks for us to brew more seasonal and specialty beers.”

A few of the seasonal/specialty beers that GoodLife has brewed before are: 29’er Brown Ale, Redside IRA, Pass Stout, Comatose IIPA and Evil Sister.  Currently, GoodLife is canning Descender IPA and Sweet As Pacific Ale, while the addition of a third can looms in the near future.

The new canning line that will be arriving at the brewery is an 18-head line built by Palmer-Tech, based out of Chicago. This is the first canning line they have sent to the West Coast and also the largest they have built, which is capable of running at 150 cans per minute. Having used the excellent services of Craft Canning for the last 9 months, GoodLife is excited about having their own line on-site.

“We’ve always been advocates of canning beer and it’s always been our goal, so to have our own machine is a dream come true,” Plants said.

With the additional tanks and the canning line, you will be able to find an increasing supply of GoodLife cans throughout Oregon, Washington and Idaho.