Ballast Point Brewing and Spirits is going to Virginia! The San Diego-based craft brewery will invest $47.8 million to establish an East Coast brewing operation and retail facility in Botetourt County, Virginia, which will create an estimated 178 new jobs. Ballast Point will also open a new brewery restaurant in Long Beach, CA, at the Alamitos Bay Marina.
Ballast Point is building its new Virginia-based facility in a 259,000-square-foot former auto parts manufacturing building, located on International Parkway in Botetourt Center at Greenfield. The Long Beach tasting room will include an onside eatery and small batch brewery akin to the Little Italy location.
“We are fortunate that there is a growing appreciation for our beer across the country and the world, and opening a brewery location in Virginia will better allow us to get fresh, great quality beer in the hands of our customers,” said founder Jack White. “We look forward to getting to know the Botetourt County community as we build our brewery there.”
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Ballast Point first began in 1996 as a back room brewery behind founder Jack White’s home brewing shop Home Brew Mart. Guided by a philosophy of innovation and exploration, the company has developed a wide portfolio of award-winning beers, including its signature Sculpin IPA. In November 2015, Ballast Point announced that it was acquired for an estimated $1 Billion by Constellation Brands, a major producer of beer, wine and spirits with operations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and Italy. With more than 7,000 employees and a list of brands that includes Corona and Negra Modelo, Constellation is the third-largest beer company in the US. Today Ballast Point, alone, is the 11th largest craft brewer in the United States and is distributed globally and in nearly all 50 states nationwide.
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Botetourt County and the Roanoke Regional Partnership to secure the project for Virginia. Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe approved a $2.4 million grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist Botetourt with the project. Ballast Point will also be eligible to receive a $250,000 grant from the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund and funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.
“I am thrilled to announce that Ballast Point Brewing and Spirits will join the Commonwealth’s world-class, award-winning roster of craft breweries,” stated Virginia Governor McAuliffe. “Winning this significant project was a top priority, and we are proud that Botetourt County will be home to the company’s East Coast brewing operation. Virginia has truly become a leader in the industry and a destination for craft beer lovers. Today is another milestone of our ongoing success in diversifying and building a new Virginia economy, and we look forward to Ballast Point thriving in the Commonwealth.”
Ballast Point is joining Deschutes Brewery in Virginia's Roanoke Valley region, as the Oregon-based brewery earlier this year announced it will build its $85 million East Coast production brewery in Roanoke.
Ballast Point will gain access to its newly purchased building, currently owned by Lawrence Transportation Systems, this September and construction should begin shortly after. The new location will include onsite brewing, a retail facility and a tasting room.
Ballast Point is joining Deschutes Brewery in Virginia's Roanoke Valley region, as the Oregon-based brewery earlier this year announced it will build its $85 million East Coast production brewery in Roanoke.
