In this edition of beer notes, expansion and contraction . . .

According to The Coloradoan, New Belgium Brewing, in anticipation of hitting 1 million barrels annually some day, could open a second facility:

“The Fort Collins brewery, which enjoyed 18 percent growth in 2009, is considering a second, smaller regional brewery, bottling plant and packaging hall in California to help meet demand in other states, said Bryan Simpson, public relations director with New Belgium.

The brewery, known for such beers as Fat Tire and Sunshine Wheat, produced 583,000 barrels last year. Its capacity is 850,000 barrels. If the brewery were to go forward with plans for a new brewery, it would operate with a maximum of 250,000 barrel capacity […]”

Surly Brewing announced this week that it was pulling back on distribution after difficulties in meeting demand:

“Due to overwhelming demand, we have halted beer shipments to our distributors; South Dakota, Western Wisconsin, Chicagoland, Duluth & the North Shore and Southern MN. We have also sharply curtailed shipments to the NW Twin City Suburbs and Mid-MN. Our 4 new fermentors are on-line and we will have additional beer soon. More fermentation tanks are on the way. It seems that the increased Spring demand for Surly has caught me slightly off guard.”

Ommegang looks to be releasing some exclusive beers at the Cooperstown-based brewery, according to a new press release on Beer Advocate. The press release looks virtually the same as Ommegang specialty releases one that made the rounds back in January. Porter, Sorter was supposed to be released in January and this one says it’s now available. A bit confusing but there’s some new information in this version (see below):

“Ommegang is also producing a run of six Exclusive Beers in 2010, available only at the brewery or by request and only for reviewing purposes. These are non-commercial beers, not for sale, with a run of about 100-750 ml bottles per beer. Ommegang Belgian Porter, known as Porter, Sorter is now available for tasting at the brewery. It’s a 6.2% ABV, Belgian/Baltic style porter: full-bodied, dark, aromatic, and flavorful. Moderately bitter, dry, with a touch of fruitiness from our house yeast. Our next Exclusive Beer is to-be-named Strong Blonde ale brewed with a blend of Ommegang and Chouffe yeasts.”

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