Summer opening on tap for new Titletown Brewing production facility in Green Bay
Richard Ryman
GREEN BAY – The first keg of Johnny "Blood" Red Ale was tapped at Titletown Brewing Co.'s expanded production facility this month. It wasn't made there, but when it is, that's going to make all the difference.
Construction is under way for Titletown's new $3.5 million production facility and tap room in the former Larsen Canning Co. buildings at Larsen Green on Broadway. A late summer opening is planned.
A banquet room is part of the long-range plan for the combined microbrewery and restaurant, and the development also will include retail shops and office space.
Titletown provides draft beer to bars and restaurants, but has not had space for a bottling operation. The new facility will allow it to do so and distribute its products to a wider audience.
"A natural growth of the craft beer industry is when you get your product into more locations," said Brent Weycker, Titletown president. "I grew up over here, too. This is exciting for me. This is a way to get people to come downtown and stay."
Titletown Brewing opened in 1996 in the former Chicago & North Western Railroad Depot on Dousman Street near the west bank of the Fox River. Production will move west across Donald Driver Way, and the restaurant will undergo some remodeling as well.
"We are kind of creating a campus," Weycker said.
He said the expansion will add about 10 jobs and increase production from 1,800 barrels annually to 5,000 barrels.
DDL Holdings, a partnership that includes Titletown and developer Smet Construction Services, will receive up to $880,000 in tax credits — the first in the state to be awarded under a new Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program passed by the Legislature late last year.
"These buildings, as you can see, come with their challenges," said Paul Belschner, chief financial officer at Smet Construction. "The historic tax credits are essential to taking on a project like this."
The Titletown/Smet project will occupy a portion of the buildings south of Kellogg Street in Larsen Green. T. Wall Enterprises of Middleton has a purchase option on the remainder of the buildings and is contemplating an apartment development.
The project will add about 40 feet on the east side of the building. The Broadway facade on the west side will be returned as much as possible to its original look, including large windows, said Jim Kratowicz, chief operating officer at Titletown.
A smokestack, part of the old vegetable plant, will be retained, and tours of the brewing operation will be available.
— Richard Ryman writes for Press-Gazette Media, Green Bay.