Silver City Brewery,
already the county’s largest beer maker, is tripling the size
of its brewing system, according to a Wednesday news
release.
The Bremerton brewery plans to add a new 35-barrel brew house in May to replace the 10-barrel system it’s used since 1996. AAA Metal Fabrication of The Dalles, Oregon, is manufacturing the hardware.
“They do quality work and we can’t wait to employ the new system and continue making great beer for our fans,” Silver City owner Scott Houmes said in the release.
Silver City already installed larger fermentation tanks and bright beer tanks (tanks where beer matures after fermentation) to keep pace with increased output.
The brewery produced about 8,600 barrels (267,000 gallons) last year. The new system could allow Silver City to eventually brew 20,000 barrels annually, said Kurt Larson, director of sales and marketing.
While Silver City has grown, Larson said the brewery is still focused on serving the same Western Washington market.
“The number one goal isn’t to sell more beer,” he said. “The number one goal is to sell beer fresh.”
Silver City is
rolling out new branding and packaging this
year. Larson said the new logos are intended to give the
brewery’s offering a “clean and crisp look” that’s easier
for customers to find on busy supermarket shelves.
Four Silver City beers — Ridgetop Red Ale, Cold One Pilsner, Ziggy Zoggy Summer Lager and a Sieben Braü, set for release next month — will be offered in 12-ounce cans.
The Sieben Braü is being brewed specially for Seattle Beer Week. Silver City is the first brewery outside Seattle to be invited to brew the official beer for the event, which runs May 7-17.
