Downtown Macon has plans to welcome a new beer brewery and taproom to the local area.
Two Macon locals, Cory Smith and Jeremy Knowles, plan to renovate a long-time vacant building located on Oglethorpe St. into the Macon Beer Co.
The plan is still in the works. Smith and Knowles are currently in the process of purchasing the 7,600-square-foot building that they can turn into their own business.
Co-owners Smith and Knowles will make the brewery into their own full-time business.
Smith tells the Macon Telegraph, “We actually won’t be producing until early 2013 and hope to have a grand opening around Cherry Blossom [Festival] time.”
For a starting goal, Macon Beer Co. is aiming to produce 500 barrels per year. Each barrel equals 31 gallons. However, their long-term goal is to produce 10,000 barrels per year.
Smith says, “We will be producing large quantities of beer and we sell that beer to a distributor who is also in Macon, who then sells it to the retailer.”
However, Macon Beer Co. will not sell to the general public. Due to a state law, the beer must go through retailers first.
Because they cannot sell to the public, they will hold tours and tastings in the taproom at least twice a week.
Owners Smith and Knowles plan to start off with two brands of beer and then continue to expand.
Macon Beer Co. also plans to create seasonal brands. For example, cherry-wheat beer will be produced and sold during the Cherry Blossom Festival.
Smith tells the Macon Telegraph that Macon is the perfect place to open a brewery.
Macon has the best water, which is very important for the production of beer.
Smith and Knowles were college roommates and they both hope to fulfill their dream of owning this brewery.
With plans still in the works, Smith and Knowles have high hopes of creating their own business and turning the vacant building on Oglethorpe St. into their own new brewery.
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