Oskar Blues, which has experienced 198 percent growth from 2010 to 2012, according to the company, has blossomed into the second largest craft brewery in Colorado. This rapid growth has landed the brewery a spot on the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies list for the fourth year.
In 2008, to meet the demands of existing markets, the brewery increased capacity by moving to a larger 35,000 square-foot brewing facility in Longmont, Colo. Their original location in Lyons, Colo., was then turned into a brewpub. In 2012, Oskar Blues introduced 16 oz. “tall boy” cans and the country’s first 19.2 oz. cans, and expanded its distribution for the first time in four years, entering Ohio, Illinois, Alabama and Kentucky.
In December 2012, Oskar Blues began operating at its second location in Brevard, N.C., which is on pace to brew 50,000 barrels in its first year. The brewery has jumped from 42,000 barrels in 2010 to a projected 125,000 to 130,000 barrels in 2013.
The full press release is below.
LONGMONT, Colo. — From 2010 to 2012 Oskar Blues Brewery, the Funky little brew-pub that has grown to ColoRADo’s second largest craft brewery and leader of the canned craft beer revolution, underwent an explosive 198 percent growth, landing them on the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies list for the fourth year.
The 2008 addition of a 35,000-square-foot brewing facility in Longmont, CO and continual infrastructure improvements fueled the brewery’s growth in existing markets, until 2012, at which time the makers of Dale’s Pale Ale expanded distribution for the first time in four years to include Ohio, Illinois, Alabama and Kentucky. The brewery more than doubled barrelage production during the three year span jumping from 42,000 barrels in 2010 to 85,750 barrels at the close of 2012.
Innovation put the folks at Oskar Blues on the map in 2002 when they defied the status quo by canning their voluminously hopped Dale’s Pale Ale instead of bottling it. Cans keep beer fresher, longer by eliminating light & oxygen while being infinitely recyclable & portable. During the Inc. 5000 award timeframe (2010 — 2012) the brewery has continued to push the boundaries of canning options by canning two of their complex and challenging beers, Deviant Dale’s IPA & G’Knight Imperial Red IPA, in 16 ounce “tall boy” cans. In October of 2012 the brewery introduced America’s first 19.2 ounce can of craft beer into the single-serve bomber market.
Oskar Blues Brewery continues to experience explosive growth, kicking off brewing operations in December of 2012 at the craft brewer’s second location in Brevard, NC. The North Carolina location is on pace to hit 50,000 barrels in its first year while the brewery is on pace to produce 125,000 to 130,000 barrels overall in 2013.
About Oskar Blues Brewery
Founded by Dale Katechis in 1997 in the small town of Lyons, CO—Oskar Blues Brewery officially launched its canned craft beer revolution in 2002 by becoming the first American craft brewery to brew and can its own beer. Now based in Longmont, CO, Oskar Blues continues to expand both its brewery and restaurant operations that currently include the original Grill & Brew location in Lyons, the Homemade Liquids and Solids restaurant in Longmont, the newly opened CHUBurger craft casual burger joint in Longmont, a food truck, the REEB Cycles bike company, and a second brewing location opened in Brevard, NC in December of 2012.