Another West Coast Brewery is headed for our state.
Another West Coast Brewery is headed for our state.
Today, Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced that San Diego-based brewery Ballast Point Brewing and Spirits would invest $47.8 million to establish an East Coast production brewery in Botetourt County, which is in Roanoke.
The Governor met with company officials in San Diego during his West Coast Marketing Mission last fall. Virginia won out against several other Eastern states on the project, which, according to the news release, will create 178 new jobs.
“I am thrilled to announce that Ballast Point Brewing and Spirits will join the Commonwealth’s world-class, award-winning roster of craft breweries,” Governor McAuliffe said in the release. “Winning this significant project was a top priority, and we are proud that Botetourt County will be home to the company’s East Coast brewing operation. Virginia has truly become a leader in the industry and a destination for craft beer lovers. Today is another milestone of our ongoing success in diversifying and building a new Virginia economy, and we look forward to Ballast Point thriving in the Commonwealth.”
Governor McAuliffe approved a $2.4 million grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist Botetourt with the project.
Founded in 1996 by Jack White, Ballast Point has a developed a wide portfolio of award-winning beers including its flagship brew, Sculpin IPA. The brewery’s beers are distributed globally and in nearly all 50 states nationwide.
Many breweries from other states seem to be headed to our state to expand their operations. Escondido, California’s Stone Brewing opened in Richmond in March and that same month, the governor announced that Oregon-based Deschutes Brewery will also open a location in Roanoke.
Fellow San Diego-based brewery Green Flash will open in Virginia Beach Memorial Day Weekend as well.
No word on when Ballast Point will open in Roanoke, but keep an eye out on our site, because we will be following the story and all other craft-beer related news.
