WACHUSETT EXPANDS

Westminster-based Wachusett Brewing Company, the second largest packaging brewer in Massachusetts, is undergoing a significant expansion that includes the acquisition of a distribution warehouse. The company is also in the process of forming a division that will focus on contract canning and will likely add bulk beer hauling services in 2O12. Greater capacity and brew-house modifications will allow the addition of full contract brewing, bottling, and canning in 2O13. There currently are no brewers in New England that offer contract brewing services that include canning. Wachusett Brewery President & Founder Ned LaFortune commented, “We bought the line so we could make Wachusett brands available in cans, but also to offer unique services to other brewers and cider makers. We are offering canning services for 2OO barrel batch sizes so that more northeast craft brewers will have the opportunity to get their brands into cans. This batch size will allow brewers to keep fresher inventories in their respective markets than the batch sizes offered by larger contract canning breweries. In our opinion, even more importantly, we will not pasteurize any craft beer we partner with, which is a substantial flavor benefit. Combined with full laboratory, bulk beer hauling services, and competitive freight to northeast wholesalers, we have simplified communication and logistics.”