16 Mile begins major overhaul
Georgetown's little brewery is about to get much bigger.
16 Mile Brewing Company debuted new 12-ounce bottles Sept. 6 to kick off a major expansion that will more than double the size of its current facility. Since its inception in July 2009, the brewery has always distributed its beer in 22-ounce aluminum bottles or kegs.
The breweries four core brews – Amber Sun Ale, Blues Golden Ale, Old Court Ale and Inlet IPA – are each available in six packs throughout Delaware.
“I think a whole new customer base is going to find us,” said Claus Hagelman, 16 Mile's sales and marketing director. “We really don't know what is going to take off. For us, it's really exciting. We're going to make equal amounts of each of the beers, and the market is going to let us know what people love and take ahold of.”
In the coming months, 16 Mile will break ground on a 4,300-square-foot expansion that will allow the brewery to increase production and add a pub and retail space. The bigger facility is expected to be up and running by April, Hagelman said.
Further expansion is also in the works
“You come here four years from now, and it's going to be a beautiful facility,” Hagelman said. “We're dependent on our customers falling in love with hopefully great beer.”
With more than double the space, production is expected to jump from 2,500 barrels annually to more than 20,000 in the next three years. Beyond that, Hagelman said, 16 Mile will cap its production at 30,000 barrels per year.
“We don't want to grow bigger than that,” he said. “We just want to be a nice small- to medium-size brewery that supplies Delaware and the states that touch Delaware. The goal is to take care of Delaware and build the brand in Delaware.”
But the expansion isn't without blood, sweat and possibly tears. Only four employees work at 16 Mile, including the owners, which makes for a very hectic schedule. There is little to no automation in the small facility, meaning everything from building boxes, tending bar and bottling the beer falls on the shoulders of the four employees.
The bottling operation itself takes all four men to operate. They can produce 70 to 75 cases an hour, Hagelman said.
16 Mile was founded by Chad Campbell and Brett McCrea with a vision of finding a happy medium between the brews of craft and mainstream breweries. Their aim was to make a sessionable beer, meaning multiple bottles can be enjoyed in one sitting.
“To me, [16 Mile] uses all the good ingredients of the craft industry, but still has the sessionable, drinkable beer the national brands were able to put forward,” McCrea said. “I really enjoy and like the sessionable beers, and we wanted something you can enjoy multiples of.”
Hagelman said he believes the move to 12-ounce bottles will expose 16 Mile to a new group of beer lovers. It's up to the fans to keep the brewery growing, he said.
“Where this brewery grows to over the next 24 months is going to be up to our friends and our family and fans in the marketplace that gravitate to it, find it and help us write the next level.”
16 Mile's core brews
Amber Sun Ale is a 6.1 percent alcohol by volume English-style amber ale with roasty finishing malts balanced with just enough bitterness. The appearance is dark red, but it's not heavy on the palate. The brew is named after the sunsets found at the Breakwater Lighthouse off Lewes Beach.
Blues Golden Ale is a 5.9 percent alcohol by volume golden-style ale with balanced layers of flavor that makes it a good complement for any meal. The brew is named for The Delaware Blues, who fought in almost every battle of the Revolutionary War.
Old Court Ale is a 6.1 percent alcohol by volume dark pale ale that's lighter in body, but provides a citrusy hop aroma and caramel finish. The brew is named after Sussex County's original courthouse in Georgetown.
Inlet IPA is a 6.1 alcohol by volume English-style India pale ale with aromatic hops with flavors of citrus. The brew is named after Indian River Inlet, between Bethany Beach and Dewey Beach. It is the newest of 16 Mile's offerings.
