How Brooklyn Brewery Has Evolved Over the Years–A Guide

The Brooklyn Brewery has come a long way since it first opened its doors in 1988. Founded by Steve Hindy and Tom Potter, two of the most influential brewing industry figures in the United States, the brewery has undergone significant changes to stay competitive and remain successful for over 30 years. In this guide, we will explore how the Brooklyn Brewery has evolved over the years, from its humble beginnings to the highly successful brand it is today.

A Brief Overview of Brooklyn Brewery’s History

Brooklyn Brewery first opened as a small-scale microbrewery in 1988 in Brooklyn, New York. At the time, Hindy and Potter were two of the few Americans daring enough to invest in the craft beer movement that was occurring in Europe. When their business opened, it quickly gained a loyal following, becoming a fixture in the New York City craft beer scene.By the mid-1990s, the brewery had grown rapidly and was producing a wide range of traditional ales, lagers, and wheat beers. They also began getting creative with their offerings, creating new recipes and styles. In 1995, they released the world’s first black lager – Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout – and it soon became one of their most popular beers.In 1997, the Brooklyn Brewery expanded further with a new location in Utica, New York, allowing them to distribute their beers nationally and internationally. Their success was further solidified that same year when they became a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange.

The Growth of Craft Beer in the United States

The craft beer industry in the United States has exploded in recent years. From just a handful of brewers in 1988, there are now 8,381 craft breweries across the United States according to statistics from the Brewer’s Association in 2020. Craft beer has become a $27 billion industry that is growing at double-digit rates annually. This growth is being driven by two key factors: younger generations’ increasing desire for unique and flavorful beers, and consumers’ willingness to pay for premium beers. Craft beer is seen as a way of expressing individual style and tastes, as well as connecting with other craft beer enthusiasts. The success of Brooklyn Brewery is symptomatic of the wider growth of craft beer across the United States. They have been able to capitalize on the increased demand for high-quality beers with interesting flavors.

Brooklyn Brewery’s Expansion

Since their inception in 1988, Brooklyn Brewery has evolved significantly and taken advantage of the growth of craft beer. As demand for their beers has grown, they have expanded their production capacity, opened new locations, and created an ever-changing range of beers to meet consumer preferences. In 2011, they opened a new production facility in Staten Island, New York, which allowed them to produce more than double the amount of beer they had previously been producing and enabled them to be more competitive in the global beer market. In 2014, they established a new location in Sweden named Nya Carnegiebryggeriet. This facility serves as a production plant, brewery taproom, and restaurant. In 2017, they opened Hop Chef’s kitchen in Brooklyn – providing classic American comfort food paired with Brooklyn burgers – and launched The Shuksan Taproom in Seattle. Most recently, they have partnered with international brewer Mahou-San Miguel to expand into markets throughout Europe and Asia, allowing them to introduce their unique beers to customers around the world.

Brooklyn Brewery’s Range of Beers

In addition to expanding their brewing locations and production capacity over the years, Brooklyn Brewery has also increased and diversified their range of beers to meet growing consumer demand. Their core range – which includes Brooklyn Lager, East IPA, Sorachi Ace, Summer Ale, and Variety – offers something for everyone’s tastes and occasions. They have also crafted many interesting and creative specialty beers over the years, such as Local Issue 1 & 2 sour ales, Intensified Coffee Porter, Graham Cracker Porter & Stout collection, and Dry Irish Stout nitro cans.

Conclusion

Brooklyn Brewery has come a long way since its founding in 1988, firmly establishing itself as one of America’s most successful craft brewers and riding on the wave of increased demand for specialty beers. They have proactively managed their expansion plans over the years – opening new locations and introducing their beers to international markets – while continually creating interesting and diverse beers to meet consumer preferences. With plans to further expand into Europe and Asia over the next 5 years, it will be exciting to see how they continue to evolve and influence the craft beer industry. Brooklyn Brewery is certainly one to watch!