Meet the new Dust Bowl Brewing expanded beer portfolio (with new branding)

One expansion begats another. Dust Bowl Brewing Co. just announced some significant additions on the heels of opening its new brewery in Turlock, Calif. Thanks to the much-needed increase in production capacity, the Northern California brewer adds two year-round Mexican-style lagers and a seasonal lineup of big beers to its product mix.

“This is an exciting time for Dust Bowl Brewing,” shared founder Brett Tate. “We expanded and maxed out production at our original facility every year for the past five years, so it was time to take a much bigger step in growing our business. Our new brewery is projected to produce 15,000 to 20,000 barrels in the first year, compared to 5,000 barrels in 2015.”

RELATED: Check out Dust Bowl Brewing’s new brewery taproom (plus Q&A with brewmaster)

Targeting the growing Mexican-style lager category, Dust Bowl Brewing introduced Taco Truck Lager and Taco Truck Amber Lager this summer. The Taco Truck duo fills an opportunity in the company’s packaged portfolio for a straightforward, approachable style. The beers are easy-drinking at 4.7 percent alc./vol.

“The Taco Truck beers are perfect examples of how Dust Bowl Brewing offers a beer for every type of beer drinker,” said Don Oliver, brewmaster. “They’re an excellent addition to our already diverse lineup. The response in our home market has been phenomenal and production of both Taco Truck and Taco Truck Amber has been increased in order to meet the surge in demand.”

The branding is a bit of a departure for the company who traditionally plays on its Dust Bowl-era roots with names and icons. Available in 12-ounce six-packs, the Taco Truck packaging showcases a bright palette of yellow and blue complemented by hand lettering and scrolling. It’s vibrant and memorable, which is intended to grab consumer attention on the already-packed beer shelves. The “Taco Truck” name ties into the company’s Central Valley home where traditional taco trucks have lined the streets long before it was trendy. It’s also an obvious complement to the Mexican style of beer.

Showcasing the brewery’s versatility, Dust Bowl Brewing also launches the seasonal Vintage Series, offering the company’s most popular big beers in 22-ounce bottles. For fall, the brewery rolls out 10 Lizzy, a Scotch Ale with big malt character and a smooth balanced finish (8.5 percent alc./vol.). This beer pays homage to the Model T, which was nicknamed “Tin Lizzie” back in the 1920s. Along with 10 Lizzy, the Vintage Series features Public Enemy Baltic Porter (winter), Naked Twister Double Red IPA (spring) and Canal Surfer Grapefruit IPA (summer).

Dust Bowl Brewing products are sold throughout the California Central Valley, Northern California, San Francisco Bay Area, East Bay, North Bay and in the states of Nevada and Vermont. Future distribution is slated for South San Francisco, Central Coast, Southern California and the Pacific Northwest region.