Milwaukee Brewing Co. expands production, adds fermentation tanks

MILWAUKEE -- The city's smallest microbrew is getting a big expansion. Milwaukee Brewing Company, located on 2nd Street in Walker's Point added three new fermentation tanks to its production Friday.

“We currently are limited out at about 6,500 barrels,” said founder Jim McCabe.  “This is the way breweries typically expand and we’re adding three fermentation tanks.  These are custom made in Wisconsin.”

It took a little maneuvering to get the tanks installed inside the 15,000 square-foot space, but at its full capacity, they’ll help increase production by more than 70 percent.  More than 10,000 barrels of beer will be produced each year.

“Craft beer is really exploding right now and Milwaukee and Wisconsin understand craft beer better than ever,” said McCabe.

This is the second expansion in a year for the city's smallest packaging brewery.  Now, McCabe says they'll get to distribute even more supply to keep up with growing demand.  He's hoping his crew will get to develop more specialty suds on top of the 15 varieties that already exist.

“A Chai imperial stout that's coming out for the holidays and our version of a pumpkin beer,” he said.

For the Milwaukee Brewing Company to make its mark on the Brew City, McCabe said it truly is a dream to come true.

“There's a lot of pressure to live up to the heritage that we all enjoy here, which is enjoying beer.  It's gratifying to be able to do this in a city that loves what we do,” he said.

Milwaukee Brewing Company is hiring four additional workers because of its expansion, adding to the total number of 20 full-time employees.