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Owner, Phin DeMink, discussed the brewery’s growth in a Post-Journal story from March of last year: “Really, what we need the most is warehouse space. [...] We’ve expanded our product line and we just need more space for the products and the raw materials.” Space is just what the brewery will get with this expansion.
Flash forward a year later and Head Brewer, Paul Cain, explains, “We have moved our operations out of the 10k sq foot leased space that we opened in 2002, into a brand new 30k sq foot facility that we designed and built from the ground up, and we own it! Highlights in the new Southern Tier plant include a 2,000 bbl fermentation cellar and a 6k sq foot cooler to accommodate all finished product for cold storage.”
To boot, the new pub area will now have 14 draft lines and an imported bottle selection.
To kick off a new decade and the new brewery, Southern Tier will re-introduce its entire 12 oz. line in new packaging by this summer. Each beer will have a new label and the six-pack holders will have higher sidewalls.
Two new beers are also on the schedule: Southern Tier 2xIPA and Southern Tier Farmer’s Tan Imperial Lager. Says Cain, “2xIPA is a totally new beer, 18 degrees, brewed with Maris Otter malt and whole hops while Unearthly runs at 23 degrees and is primarily Cara malts and wheat.” This will be available in six-packs (and presumably on draft). The Imperial Lager will follow in 22 oz. bottles and on draft this summer.
Cain, however, lamented the discontinuation of two beers: Uber Sun and Cherry Saison. Cherry Saison is among Southern Tier’s lowest-rated beers on RateBeer. More will be disappointed in the loss of Uber Sun, which has earned an A- grade on Beer Advocate.
Goodbye Uber Sun and Cherry Saison. Hello 2xIPA and Farmers Tan!
As previously mentioned in some other threads, the brewery's move to a new location was a very complex exercise and was the reason our last private order was delayed. However, Southern Tier really needed to expand its facilities as they're dealing with an ever increasing demand for their beers.
Right now we are working on details for the next round of ST private ordering and will post the information as soon as it is finalized.
A sizeable quantity of Choklat is destined to hit the LCBO stores this fall in and hopefully in its tracks will be another ST product.
It is great to know that Bar Towelers contributed to the brewery's expansion, as well as its continuous success, through your orders, support of Southern Tier IPA at the LCBO and by sharing your beer and your impressions with others. Your support is much appreciated.
Roland + Russell wrote:
A sizeable quantity of Choklat is destined to hit the LCBO stores this fall in and hopefully in its tracks will be another ST product.
Ecstatic! Should be a killer success.
Iit's getting harder to find the IPA during the expansion, but still worth it for a solid fix of nice hops. I like what these folks do.
Has anyone been to the brewery (old or new)? Thoughts?
I've been to the brewery twice. Once in Summer and once in Spring. I would highly recommend making the trip to all TO beer geeks. If you think their beers are good in the bottle...well, let's just say that the Pumpking on tap brought me to my knees. The old tap room was nice, but way too small, and got pretty crowded after a Sat tour. Their bottle selection was poor because of the limited warehouse space. There is a hilly state park (Allegany) 30 mi East that has plenty camp sites and cabins. Nothing beats a day of hiking followed by a fresh Unearthly. Looking forward to checking out the new digs Victoria day weekend.
"Put another brick in my hookah, Chow Ming, and fetch me fresh silks, I've soiled myself again."
--Franklin Pierce, April 6, 1856