Alright, who's headed to the RVA

My guess is Ballast Point since they're the most rapidly expanding of those breweries. It could be Latunitas though. My hope would be Firestone Walker (I don't think there's a chance in hell that its Russian River).

 

supposedly Norfolk is in advanced talks with Lagunitas. Everyone I'm hearing from is saying either Ballast Point or FW

 

Lagunitas would open a third brewery?

 

always been the plan. 1st expansion to Chicago then 2nd expansion to east coast

 

Wow, I am surprised that they need that much capacity. It is an interesting model for a brewery that size.

 

What size? Lagunitas is huge, one of the biggest craft brewers, up there with New Belgium and Sierra Nevada and really only significantly behind Boston Brewing.

 

I didn't realize they were that big.

 

Deschutes has already been looking for an east coast location, I think it was posted in the beer news section. They make the most sense.

 

Deschutes

 

I feel like of the choices, Lagunitas is the most likely to make the jump east. Personal bias, I feel like they're spiritual partners with Stone so if Stone's here they should be too. I feel like Ballast Point just broke into the state where Lagunitas has been here for years. Would love it to be Firestone Walker and would participate in ritual sacrifice if it would help it be RR.

That said, why any brewery would consider opening their east cost distribution in a location beset by I64 is beyond me. I never thought Norfolk had a chance over RVA for that reason alone. Norfolk adds at least an hour to 95 each way and if heading West with 64 it could be 2-4 depending. Geographically it makes so little sense to me I don't expect to see anyone taking the full plunge into Norfolk when RVA is on the table.

 

Ballast Point has been here for a looooong time, like since before RR and 3 Floyds pulled out of VA.

naval port/rail access? would make distro up to New England and points south easy (they're not going to ship to those locations by truck...)

 

Yeah I think Richmond vs Norfolk is a trade off between interstate and port access. Each have both, but Richmond is better situated for road shipping while Norfolk is better situated for shipping on water.

 

I did not know that about Ballast Point - I feel like I've just recently started seeing their stuff more. Sorry and thanks for pointing out.

I don't know what I didn't put together the port aspect - that makes a ton of sense. In regards to them not shipping far south or north by truck, what do they do now? If a place like Lagunitas already ships to ME and FL, is it that they're currently using trucks and/or trains but would find the ports more cost effective for that aspect of distribution? Honest question, I just never thought of this before and think it's interesting.

 

rail is the preeminent means of goods transportation across state lines (I work for a alcohol distributor)

 

granted, we are now seeing more of their portfolio compared to even a year or two ago, like Victory at Sea.

 

I think Lagunitas has the biggest footprint and could immediately benefit from an east coast brewery. I'm hoping it's FW though, so we have easier access to fresh beers and limited releases.

Next, I think the Bruery needs to open up a secondary brewery near RVA, then I can finally pour all my money into joining the hoarders society.

 

I would definitely be the least excited for Lagunitas, as I've never had any trouble getting their beers, and Sucks is really the only on that I even occasionally buy.

 

And GF is even farther, in VB!

 

local paper is saying it's Ballast Point, un-officially