Otter Creek Completes Brand New, 120-Barrel Brewhouse

Otter Creek staff at the Aug. 4 ribbon-cutting ceremony (Photo Courtesy Otter Creek Brewing Co.)

MIDDLEBURY, Vt.—Otter Creek Brewing Company is proud to announce the completion of their brand new, 120-barrel brewhouse.

On Thursday, August 4th, a ceremonial ribbon-cutting marked the commissioning of this fully-automated, state-of-the-art brewhouse and accompanying 8,000 sq. ft. expansion; a project that cements Otter Creek’s role as a Vermont institution.

With the brewery approaching capacity, Otter Creek broke ground on this project in October 2015. Designed and constructed by Middlebury’s Bread Loaf Construction, this 8,000 sq. ft. expansion continues a more than 20-year relationship with the local firm, who constructed the Exchange Street facility in 1995.

The German-engineered brewing vessels, fabricated by BrauKon, a world-renowned manufacturer of brewing equipment, will expand Otter Creek’s annual capacity from 65,000 barrels to 200,000 barrels; making it the largest brewery (by volume) in the State of Vermont.

“This event marks an enormous vote of confidence in our customers and associates about the future of our brand,” said Dan Fulham, president of Otter Creek Brewing Company.

“[This expansion] honors the heritage and entrepreneurship Vermont continues to foster,” Fulham added.

In its 25th year of operation, Otter Creek continues to pave the way for enterprising Craft Brewers and entrepreneurs in Vermont, according to Vermont Governor, Peter Shumlin (D).

“Let’s not forget,” Gov. Shumlin said, “When Otter Creek was founded 25 years ago, it was a pretty radical idea that anyone would buy beer from anybody but the big manufacturers.”

“I don’t think it was in the eye of [Founder Lawrence Miller] to be standing here 25 years later, with 200 employees who have innovated, worked hard, bled blood, sweat and tears and created one of the best microbreweries in the country,” he added.

For Otter Creek, the innovation continues into their 25th year of operation.

“[For the past couple of years] we’ve been reinventing the brewery; reinventing classical styles with our own take; reinventing who we are as brewers, as a company and where we position ourselves,” said Otter Creek Brewmaster, Mike Gerhart.

Otter Creek Brewing celebrates their 25th Anniversary this month with the release of their 25th Anniversary Double India Pale Lager. The new brewhouse marks the completion of the first phase of multi-phase expansion project.