Oskar Blues update: Depletions growth near 30 percent, closes on 200K bbl mark

Oskar Blues Brewery continues to show explosive growth in 2015 and has, for the fifth year in a row, earned a position in the top half of the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America.

Colorado’s funky and unapologetic brewpub has grown to become the largest American craft brewery to package beer exclusively in cans, while reaching toward 200,000 bbls in 2015. The brewery climbed to 24th on the Brewers Association Top 50 Breweries list which ranks craft breweries based on beer sales volume.

Growth continues to be fueled at both East and West Oskar Blues breweries. The North Carolina brewery in Brevard added a second 50-bbl mash tun, a silo capable of holding 100,000 lbs of spent grain and is in the process of completing the second phase of its 17,000-square-foot expansion project. The Colorado brewery acquired an additional 60,000 square feet last year in Longmont and is increasing capacity and developing an Oak Aging event venue.

In addition to capacity increases, strong double digit growth of Dale’s Pale Ale including a 43 percent YTD growth trend in Total U.S. Food (Scans) has led the way. In fact, the original craft beer in a can and flagship of Oskar Blues Brewery remains 50 percent of the brand mix among strong new brands Pinner Throwback IPA and Oskar Blues IPA.

The release of Pinner Throwback IPA (six-packs, 12-packs and draft) and Oskar Blues IPA (six-packs) as year round core packages added firepower to an already strong can-centric brand family. The addition of Pinner Throwback IPA cans to the CANundrum Mixed 12-packs (Dale’s Pale Ale, Mama’s Little Yella Pils, Old Chub Scotch Ale) is seeing strong 70 percent growth rate vs. 2014 depletions.

Development of the Oskar Blues sales team continues, eclipsing 68 reps including an experienced chain team. The brewery has expanded distribution to 44 U.S. states and plans to reach all 50 states by mid-year 2016.

Oskar Blues’ 2015 milestones:

• Oskar Blues Brewery Depletions growth is at 28 percent YTD
• Dale’s Pale Ale six-pack cans are experiencing 43 percent growth and are the leading craft can six-pack in US Total Food while Oskar Blues Brewery growth is at 60 percent growth in that segment
• CANundrum Mixed 12-pack growth is at 70 percent YTD
• Pinner Throwback IPA, a 4.9 percent crushable beer, available year-round in cans and on draft has surpassed Mama’s Little Yella Pils in 2015 sales
• Oskar Blues IPA, a 6.43 percent beer using Australian hops is available in cans across the country and soon to be on draft
• Increased distribution to 44 states

Oskar Blues continues to bring innovation to the craft beer industry. The introduction of the Crowler Seamer by Oskar Blues and Ball Corp. provides recyclable 32-ounce cans filled with fresh draft beer to taproom customers for off-premise consumption. In 2015, nearly 200 other breweries and bars across the country purchased Crowlers and cans, creating a side business at the brewery that has accelerated quickly and organically.