Willett Distillery To Invest Nearly $93 Million for new Kentucky facility
Kentucky Bourbon Distillers LTD, doing business as Willett Distillery, will invest nearly $93 million in Washington County, Kentucky, to build warehouses and additional production facilities, creating 35 full-time jobs.
To meet the growing demand of the Willett collection of brands, the company is investing to support projects that include the construction of a new distillery operation, barrel storage warehouses and a water storage area for fire prevention. The project, located at 1170 Mackville Road in Springfield, Kentucky, will see the construction of a 70,000-square-foot facility on 150 acres. Construction of the project is expected to begin in January 2023.
“We are grateful for each person that picks up a bottle of our family’s whiskey,” said Britt Kulsveen, president and chief whiskey officer at Willett Distillery, in a release. “It is both humbling and the greatest honor to be included in any celebration. Our intention is always to make a personal connection with our customers and fill their glass with cheer.”
Founded in 1936, Willett Distillery is a family owned and operated distillery located in Nelson County, Kentucky. Over the last 86 years, Willett has grown gradually, methodically and responsibly, incorporating the family values of southern hospitality, craftsmanship and compassion in their products and services through the years. Over the last five years, the Willett employee base has nearly doubled. Today, the company employs 67 people that host more than 80,000 guests annually and distill, barrel and bottle 11 brands that are distributed in 40 states.
New Holland Brewing Announces Battle Creek Brewpub Opening
New Holland Brewing Co. is set to open an all-new brewpub, micro-brewhouse and micro-distillery in Battle Creek, Michigan in Spring 2023. This long-anticipated brewpub will feature a collection of menu items from the brewery’s existing restaurant locations, small-batch releases of beers and spirits crafted on-site and much more.
Located in the heart of downtown Battle Creek at 64 W. Michigan Ave. Battle Creek, MI., this new taproom will feature a 4,000 square-foot beer garden with much of the space offered with a permanent cover and radiant heaters for year-round outdoor dining. The garden will also contain an outdoor walk-up bar, fire features, televisions, yard games and a stage for entertainment.
New Holland will take further advantage of this new space by including a small, three-barrel brewhouse for innovative pilot batches, and a small distillery operation.
Construction on the Battle Creek brewpub has taken longer than expected, but New Holland is eagerly anticipating its opening in the spring.
Lawson’s Finest Liquids Announces 2023 Distribution Calendar
Lawson’s Finest Liquids is giving craft beer fans reason to celebrate with today’s release of the iconic brewery’s 2023 distribution calendar. This year, Sip of Sunshine IPA, Little Sip IPA and Scrag Mountain Pils return as year-round distributions, with rotating specialty releases and brand-new beers to debut across Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. Other specialty releases, including Brave Little State Pale Ale and Mad River Maple Ale, will be available year-round in Vermont.
Double Sunshine Ruby Red Grapefruit kicks off 2023’s specialty distributions this month. The beer is now available to bring a taste of summer to the Northeast until March. Five other fan-favorite specialty releases will follow throughout the year. Super Session IPA is available now through the summer. Kiwi, a Double IPA made with New Zealand hops will be available beginning in May. Scrag-arita (formerly known as Scrag Mountain Pils Salt and Lime), returns to the Northeast in July. Mad River Maple follows in September, with a barrel-aged Fayston Maple Imperial Stout set to close out the year.
Rounding out the 2023 distribution calendar is the debut of several brand-new beers including an all-new year round IPA this spring. Meanwhile, recipe development is underway on three all-new specialty beers on tap for release later this year: a fruited Gose, a higher-ABV IPA and a nitro stout offering. Additionally, Sip of Sunshine IPA will be available in individual, 19.2 oz cans beginning in April.
Craft beer fans looking to find nearby Lawson’s Finest Liquids retailers can visit the “Where to Buy” page at http://www.lawsonsfinest.com
Switchback Introduces Dooley’s Belated Porter in 16oz Cans
Switchback Brewing Co. has released their cult favorite, Dooley’s Belated Porter, in 16oz cans for the first time. The move marks the first of many Switchback Specials that will transition their way from 12oz bottles to cans throughout 2023.
With the addition of a new high-speed labeling system, the brewery can now apply custom labels onto cans in-house. “We love the accessibility that putting our beer into cans brings,” says Brewery Founder, Bill Cherry. “The new equipment has opened the door for us to reimagine some of our classics and to introduce new beers from our innovative Brewers and Employee Owners.”
Dooley’s Belated Porter (named after the brewery’s first employee) was first brewed in 2009 and quickly became an annual favorite for die-hard Switchback fans. It features a blend of roasted and caramelized malts giving it a luscious malt signature that has an earthiness derived from the non-traditional use of flaked barley. The bold use of Simcoe hops for both bittering and aroma highlights this hop varietal and balances the malt to create a robust, yet smooth finishing American porter. The newly designed label embodies the dark, snowy nights of Vermont’s coldest season – the perfect time to enjoy a Dooley’s.
Find 16oz cans of Dooley’s Belated Porter in limited quantities at the brewery and at select stores throughout Switchback’s distribution footprint.
Hops & Spirits 