Back Bay Brewing Company Will Expand Production with New Manufacturing Location in Virginia Beach

October 20, 2015
Back Bay Brewing Co., a Virginia Beach-based craft beer manufacturer, will open a new manufacturing facility to increase production and growth for the company at 1140 Loretta Lane. The company’s tasting room and small-batch facility at 614 Norfolk Avenue will continue operations.Back Bay Brewing Co. was established in 2011 by Josh Canada, Charlie Burroughs, George Powell and Will Yearick. The brewers currently make a selection of beers ranging from the Witch of Pungo to Atlantic Avenue IPA. The collection is distributed to 250 retail and restaurant locations. This October, the company will also open Wolf Street Brewing Company in Harrisonburg, Va.Since its inception, Back Bay Brewing Co. has manufactured its beer for distribution at a location in Hampton. The new facility will allow the company to brew in proximity to the tasting room in Virginia Beach and significantly increase production.“This is a substantial investment by a home-grown manufacturer,” said Warren D. Harris, director of Virginia Beach Economic Development. ““The grant and assistance through our APZ-1 program will help the owners overcome some development hurdles resulting in Virginia Beach retaining a growing company. Our craft brewery roster is very robust with eight breweries and Green Flash on its way in 2016.”Back Bay Brewing Co. is the first local brewer to utilize locally grown hops in its brewing process. Having a location nearer to Virginia Beach’s agricultural center will bring them closer to locally sourced hops, grains and other ingredients. “We felt the time was right to make this investment after the demand for our products is well established in the marketplace,” said Canada. “Right out of the gate the production facility will have a large demand for product. This facility will allow Back Bay Brewing to bring new and innovative beer styles to beer drinkers across the Commonwealth and beyond.” “We couldn’t be more excited about bringing our production operations home to Virginia Beach, added Powell. “The city and the community have been very supportive, and we look forward to exceeding expectations.”The property on Loretta Lane sits on 2.2 acres and will include a 9,106-square-foot production facility for Back Bay Brewing Co. An additional 2,176 square feet will be occupied by Union Brick Construction Company that is moving from its current location on Laskin Road in Virginia Beach. The manufacturing facility is located in the YesOceana corridor of Virginia Beach. The Virginia Beach Development Authority has awarded an APZ-1 Economic Development Investment Program grant in the amount of $80,000 based on the company’s capital investment of $1.965 million.The YesOceana program was established in response to the Base Realignment and Closure Commission’s recommendation to close NAS Oceana in 2005. The innovative program moves nonconforming businesses out of APZ-1 and recruits businesses that meet zoning and conformity specifications into the area. It is the only program of its kind in the country, and YesOceana now serves as a model for other localities facing problems with encroachment around air installations.Back Bay Brewing Co. anticipates the facility will be operational in spring 2016.The mission of the Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development is to attract and retain national and international businesses to stimulate capital investment and create jobs. Virginia Beach is the most populous city in Virginia with a population of 440,000, and it is the 37th largest in the United States. It is recognized as one of the Best Run Cities in America by 24/7 Wall St. The Department of Economic Development received re-accreditation through the International Economic Development Council in 2012 and is one of only 29 economic development organizations in the world to have this recognition. It is listed among the Top Five Overall Mid-sized American Cities of the Future, Top 10 for Economic Potential and Top Five for Infrastructure by fDi magazine. CNNMoney.com ranked Virginia Beach as the Easiest Place to Start a Business and the 2nd Most Business-Friendly City in the country. For more information, visit www.yesvirginiabeach.com. ​​