Terrapin Beer sees 41 percent increase in 2013

2013 was a year to remember for Terrapin Beer Co. The company saw a 41 percent increase in production over 2012 with a total volume of 32,671 barrels (bbls). Twenty-three unique beers hit shelves, including its first in a 12-ounce can and the company actively collaborated on a number of beers brewed and released by partnering breweries.

A major boost to kick off 2013 was the installation of a brand-new, state-of-the-art 100-bbl brew system built and installed for Terrapin by ROLEC-GmbH. This new brew system replaced the 25-bbl brew system in place since the opening of the company’s Athens, Ga., brewery in 2007.

With the production increase, Terrapin was able to expand distribution into both the State of Maryland and into Washington, D.C. The company was able to bring on all previous tour volunteers as part-time tour staff, and along with a number of new part-time and full-time production, sales and administrative staff, a total of 35 new employees joined the Terrapin family in 2013.

Another benefit of 2013′s growth was the company’s ability to work actively with other like-minded brands and organizations and to increase its philanthropic contributions. With the release of RecreationAle, Terrapin teamed with Osprey Packs in creating a raffle that each month lets four fans win a Talon 22 backpack built for the rugged outdoors and with plenty of space to pack in those cans. A series of special cask events and tour percentage nights raised funds for the Athens chapter of the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA).

In 2014, there will be a ton of new beers on the horizon, and both original brew Rye Pale Ale and Golden Ale, available only in the brewery’s home state of Georgia, will get label upgrades to highlight each beer’s unique character.