Stock Up Now: Manayunk Brewery Readies For 2014 Expansion Project
By Paul Kurtz
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Manayunk Brewing Co. will be closing at the end this year to begin a major expansion and renovation project.
Executive brewer Doug Marchakitus says the past few years have been boom times for the landmark Main Street microbrewery and pub.
"Starting with canning and everything, we've gotten a lot more demand," he notes. "Plus now we're selling beer in all of New Jersey and most of eastern Pennsylvania."
They simply can't keep up. So, managing partner Mike Rose says, the brewery portion of the business will shut down for about six weeks after the start of the new year.
"We don't want to be down, but it's a move that we have to make," Rose says. "The kettles are fifteen, sixteen years old. It's either we do it now or next year. It's inevitable -- they're gonna have to be changed out."
When the work is complete, Manayunk will boast bigger kettles, bigger fermenters, and a lot more beer as it adds a packaging plant to the present brewpub.
Rose says the restaurant will remain open, serving beer from other breweries during the expansion.
