Hangar 24 Set to Expand Capacity by 25%, Enters Las Vegas Market
(Redlands, CA) – As Hangar 24 Craft Brewery gets ready to celebrate its 5th Anniversary with the largest event it has ever put on, the Brewery in Redlands, California just took delivery of four tanks that will expand its brewing capacity by up to 25%. That capacity will be used to meet the demand created as the brewery ships out of state for the first time. Distribution in Las Vegas began last week.
Two 200-barrel fermentation tanks, one 100-barrel bright tank and one 200-barrel bright tank were delivered last Wednesday to the Brewery. One barrel equals 31 gallons. Beer is transferred to a Bright Tank after primary fermentation to mature, clarify and become naturally carbonated.
The Brewery is located across the street from the Redlands Airport. That Airport is the location of the anniversary event, dubbed “Hangar 24 AirFest & 5th Anniversary Celebration”, which is part beer festival and part air show- an event that has been missing from the airport for two years.
“It seems like everything is happening at once,” said owner/master brewer Ben Cook, listing off the milestones that have occurred recently. “Once we hit five years: we exceeded 100 employees, brewed our 2,000th batch of Orange Wheat, installed a quality control/quality assurance lab, and then we made our first out-of-state shipments, got the tanks to expand our brewing, and we are now about to hold our first air show. It’s unbelievable. ”
Even more milestones were hit earlier this year, as Hangar 24 expanded its distribution into Northern California. Now, the brewery is firmly established in the Bay Area and Sacramento regions. Future territories being looked into include Arizona.
Last Thursday, Cook gave a tour of the new tanks to Redlands Mayor Pete Aguilar, who has enjoyed watching the Brewery become the Inland region’s largest.
“Hangar 24 Craft Brewery has been a great success story for the City of Redlands.” said Mayor Aguilar. “We are proud of the achievements they have accomplished over the past five years. But even more importantly, as this small business expands, they continue to be an integral part of our town and a company that understands the importance of contributing to the fabric of their community. We are thrilled to watch their success and look forward to their continued growth in Redlands.”
Cook explained how the philosophy of Hangar 24 has grown, along with the brewing capacity.
“We love being a craft brewer. Being small allows us to brew whichever beer we choose and make decisions quickly,” said Cook.
“As we grow and have more resources available, it allows us to brew greater varieties of beer, continue to improve consistency and quality, add more jobs, utilize more local ingredients, and give back to the local community.”
Hangar 24 gives to hundreds of local causes each year throughout the region, including the AirFest & 5th Anniversary, whose entire proceeds go to charity. One of the two charity beneficiaries is the newly-formed Hangar 24 Charities, whose mission is to protect and preserve Southern California’s citrus groves.
Hangar 24 Craft Brewery was founded in 2008 in Redlands, California and is widely known for their flagship beer, Orange Wheat. Named after a specific aircraft hangar at Redlands Municipal Airport, where Founder and Master Brewer Ben Cook would hang out after an afternoon of flying to talk aviation, play music and share a few cold ones that Ben just finished brewing at home. The Brewery and Tasting Room were established and still operate in a renovated hangar directly across the street. Hangar 24 embodies a true passion for good beer, the absolute love of flying and the pure enjoyment of being around great friends. Hangar 24 on Twitter
