USA – Athletic Brewing Company, a leading U.S. manufacturer of non-alcoholic craft beer, has announced the acquisition of a second brewing facility in San Diego, California.
The new 107,000-square-foot brewery is situated on Carroll Way, adjacent to the company’s existing site on Trade Street. This expansion aims to enhance the production capabilities and meet the growing demand for non-alcoholic beer.
The newly acquired facility includes 300-barrel and 150-barrel brewhouses, providing the versatility to produce both flagship and limited-time brews.
Athletic Brewing plans a series of renovations and site improvements over the next 18 months.
These upgrades will involve installing a new packaging line and enhancing the brewhouse, cellar, and lab to meet specific food safety and quality standards required for large-scale non-alcoholic beer production.
Brewing operations at the Carroll Way facility are expected to commence in late 2025. The company will retain its existing Trade Street location, and once the new brewery is operational, Athletic Brewing will double its U.S. brewing capacity.
John Walker, co-founder and chief product officer at Athletic Brewing Company, expressed enthusiasm about the expansion.
“We look forward to continuing the tradition of creating amazing brews at this renowned facility and pushing the boundaries of non-alcoholic beer,” Walker said.
He also highlighted the company’s commitment to sustainability, noting plans to implement advanced brewing technology to reduce water usage, one of the company’s most precious resources.
In addition to the brewery operations, a Ballast Point taproom operated by Kings & Convicts and connected to the Carroll Way facility will remain open to the public during the renovation period.
Athletic Brewing holds a 19 percent share of the growing non-alcoholic beer category, according to Nielsen data, and was named the 10th largest overall craft brewery in the U.S. by The Brewers Association earlier this year.
The expansion aligns with the company’s strategy to capitalize on the increasing demand for non-alcoholic craft beer.
The U.S. is a dominant force in North America’s craft beer market, which is projected to expand to an impressive US$52.47 billion by 2028. This growth is driven by a love for robust, flavorful beers and an increase in craft breweries across diverse venues.
According to Fortune Business Insights, the craft beer market globally is expected to grow from US$102.59 billion in 2021 to US$210.78 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.83 percent.
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