Yankee Brew News Archive

Otter Creek Opens New Vermont Brewery

Originally Published: 01/96

By: Tom Ayres

More than 500 local community leaders and beer fans were on hand October 8 as Otter Creek Brewing Company celebrated the opening of its new, 15,000-square-foot brewery in Middlebury, Vermont.

The new facility, which includes a custom-designed brewhouse, expanded fermentation capacity, and a tasting room, establishes Otter Creek as one of the most advanced microbreweries in the region, if not the nation. Built to Otter Creek's specifications by Century Manufacturing of Ohio, the brewhouse has one particularly unique feature: its 200-barrel fermenters are located outdoors, to better utilize the interior space available. The new brewery also includes a high-speed, German-built bottling line that will operate at four times the speed of the brewery's previous line.

Otter Creek produces two year-round brews -- Copper Ale and Helles Alt Beer -- and a range of seasonal ales, including Hickory Switch Smoked Amber Ale in the fall, Stovepipe Porter in the winter, Mud Bock Spring Ale, and Summer Wheat Ale. The company's newest seasonal beer, Oktoberfest '95, was released this fall to mark the opening of the new brewery.

The new, state-of-the-art facility will enable Otter Creek to quadruple its annual production capacity to 40,000 barrels. Otter Creek has grown consistently since its founding four years ago. Production will leap to a projected 10,000 barrels this year from just 200 in 1991. The dramatic growth didn't come without strain on the brewery and its staff, according to Otter Creek founder and owner Lawrence Miller.

The demand, both in-state and out-of-state, skyrocketed, reinforcing the need for expanded capacity, Miller offered. "We had a difficult time keeping up with Vermont's demand, much less answering the call for distribution in neighboring states," he stated candidly. With the opening of the new brewery, which began its first production runs in mid-October, Otter Creek plans a November introduction of its beers in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and upstate New York from Albany northward.

Vermont Economic Development Director Bill Shouldice was on hand to celebrate the opening of Otter Creek's new facility. Shouldice's presence underscored the growing importance of the microbrewing industry to Vermont's economy, where specialty foods and beverages form a significant product niche with nationwide recognition. Mary Miller, administrative assistant to U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy and another of the local dignitaries in attendance, read a letter of congratulations from the legislator.

Otter Creek, which enjoys a strong regional reputation for its involvement in community and civic initiatives, used the occasion to present a check for $507 to the United Way of Addison County. The money was collected through a Help Fill the Barrel fundraising effort that targeted visitors touring the company's old facility in the past year. Otter Creek has also produced commemorative pint glasses and posters to mark the opening of the new brewery. Sales of those items will also benefit United Way. "It's a way of giving back to a community that has been so supportive of us," said Otter Creek Vice President for Marketing Dave Ebner.

Otter Creek Brewing, located at 85 Exchange Street, north of downtown Middlebury, is open seven days a week for self-guided tours. Business hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Guided tours are available each Friday at 4 and 5 p.m., and on Saturday at 1, 3 , and 5 p.m. For more information, contact the brewery at (802) 388-0727.