Big, breaking news from ENGINE 15 BREWING COMPANY in Jacksonville Beach hit social media last night in a short statement asking if anyone is ready for something new in 2016, accompanied by a new logo:
According to Kara Scremin, Marketing Manager at Engine 15, the company will begin production of ciders and meads in 2016 at the company's newly acquired production facility, 601 N. Myrtle Ave., downtown Jacksonville. At the outset, E15 will first produce a dry cider, and flavored ciders will follow. After the initial operations are underway, and to allow for aging of product, E15 will begin offering mead. The anticipated timeframe for the mead is about 6-9 months following startup of the new operations.
Engine 15's spacious production facility in Jacksonville opened in 2015, and houses the company's new 20-barrel brewhouse, along with a separate building for events. It provides much needed expansion for the brewery's core beers, and will also feature a biergarten when it's all said and done (in other words, permitting). The venue was the site of the "Tacos for Tatas" charity event for 26.2 With Donna in October (see blog post), and also was the home of the "Mash-In" opening event for Jax Beer Week in November (see blog post).
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| Engine 15 Production Facility brewhouse |
Under applicable laws, cider and mead require additional licensing, and E15 is awaiting federal approval. Once it receives the go-ahead, E15 will begin cider production, with an anticipated product release in February 2016. The new products will be available on tap and in bottles at the Jax Beach brewpub, along with distribution in kegs around the area through Champion Brands.
In addition to the production facility, Engine 15 Brewing Company continues to brew beer on its 5-barrel system at the original Jax Beach brewpub. The brewpub offers a pub-style food menu and 50 taps, which typically feature around 15-20 of E15's own beers on tap, in addition to regional, national and international beer. Pretty much whatever style of beer you're looking for, you'll find it here (trust me, I've been there once or twice, or .....).
Sounds like Engine 15 will be off to a roaring start in 2016, but I'm not surprised. The home of Nutsack Double Brown Ale, J'Ville Lager, (904) Weiss Guy, and Old Battle Axe IPA will be getting a little bigger. Hey, Engine 15, what names can we look forward to now?
Cheers! See you around Florida somewhere, with a beer in hand.......
Peace, Love, Pints®
Linda