Craft brewer and staple of Oregon, Deschutes Brewery is headed east to construct what will become its second home in Roanoke, VA. Company officials say they explored hundreds of locations in the region before selecting the site of its newest brewing facility, which was chosen for its culture, community, resources and location.
“We started Deschutes Brewery when craft beer wasn’t burgeoning and led with a beer style that wasn’t popular at the time—Black Butte Porter,” says Gary Fish, CEO and founder of the brewery. “This pioneering approach was a key driver behind our decision to go with Roanoke, as that same spirit exists in this community and its fast-growing beer culture.”
Construction is expected to begin in 2019, with the facility eventually adding more than 100 jobs to the region and producing 150,000 barrels. Future capacity is designed in to be used as needed.
The plant is a big win for the region which lost out to North Carolina when California craft brewer Sierra Nevada sought East Coast expansion a few years ago, according to the Associated Press.
Founded in 1988, Deschutes—the seventh largest craft brewery in the country—is a family- and employee-owned brewery known for a diverse collection of beers that include Fresh Squeezed IPA, Black Butte Porter and Mirror Pond Pale Ale.