What (or who) is Stone Brewing Co.? Meet the 10th largest craft brewer in the US, its 400 jobs, millions in promised revenue, and eyes toward Richmond, VA.
What (or who) is Stone Brewing Co.? Meet the 10th largest craft brewer in the US, its 400 jobs, millions in promised revenue, and eyes toward Richmond, VA.
The Times-Dispatch is reporting a special City Council meeting is being held tomorrow night. Council aims to smooth the path for brewing company to set up its first east coast brewery in here RVA.
The City, along with Richmond Economic Development Authority, have teamed up to reserve space near Rockets Landing – about 12.5 acres across from Gillies Creek Park, between Williamsburg Avenue and Nicholson Street.
The company anticipates spending at least $20 million for the facility’s initial phase, and expects to create hundreds of jobs, according to the company.
Production is projected to top 120,000 barrels per year at the onset, and could grow to nearly 500,000. The facility is also expected to include a restaurant and retail area modeled after the company’s existing Stone World Bistro & Gardens locations.
Norfolk and Columbus, Ohio, are also among the finalists being considered, according to media reports from those areas.
California-based Stone Brewing was started in 1996 with their flag ship brew Stone Pale Ale. RatemyBeer.com calls their beer and their “Bistro and Garden” attached restaurant “World Class” with a perfect 5 stars out of 314 user ratings.
One RMB user described the San Diego location as “grandiose and arrogant,” but still full of “ridiculous awesomeness:”
Turn a shitty dirt hill into a relaxing, comfortable world class destination. With gardens and a pond, which after the sun sets on a warm sunny day comes alive with countless frogs chirping. Eat world class food, drink world class beer.
https://rvamag.comsites/default/files/imagefield_thumbs/articles/inline/screen_shot_2014-08-04_at_7.39.27_pm.png?1407195603
Pictures of the the Bistro and Garden do seem to come off a bit localized – I’m not sure if Stucco will look great along side old brick warehouses, but I’d wager if they chose RVA they’ll throw an old dug-up cannon out front and it’ll work out.
So what can we do to convince Stone Brewing to make a new home here? Lets look at the last folks to lose their chance with the new brewer, Greensville, South Carolina – details via Greenville online:
The issue likely comes down to logistics, because the company’s beers are “relatively available on the East Coast,” said Brook Bristow, a Greenville lawyer who represents the South Carolina Brewers Association and assisted in commerce department’s recruitment efforts.
“We fall probably just a bit south of where they want,” Bristow said. “This is purely a logistical call on their part. It’s a geography call.”
Stone’s CEO, Greg Koch, known for his brash personality and business approach, grew up in Ohio before moving to California and founding the brewery.
Still, Bristow said he sees more appeal in Virginia, which has already landed the expansion of San Diego’s Green Flash Brewing Co.
“Virginia I’m not surprised by,” he said. “They’ve really come on in recent years. When I think of edge and attitude, I don’t necessarily think of Ohio. Ohio is a little surprising. Good for them.”
Are we edgy enough for a new craft brewer in town? Do we have room for more craft brewers? How do we get one of those 400 brewing jobs?
I guess we’ll have to see if City Council can grease the wheels enough tomorrow night.
