Dynamic expansion site identified as future location of world-class brewery and tap room in Western New York
New operation will greatly increase production capacity, help meet existing demand, and support ongoing growth
Existing downtown Buffalo brewery to remain open, with renewed focus on research, innovation, and development of new craft beer recipes and varieties
Big Ditch Brewing Company today officially announced that it is working with Iskalo Development Corp. on the development of a new world-class brewery and tap room to be located on Transit Road adjacent to the north side of I-90. With outstanding site visibility from both Transit Road and the Interstate, the project site offers significant exposure for the Big Ditch Brewing brand and is large enough to accommodate long-term company growth. Iskalo Development currently owns the project site and will develop the new facility for lease to Big Ditch Brewing Company. The existing downtown Buffalo brewery and tap room will remain in operation after completion of the new facility.
The proposed brewery is envisioned to serve as an anchor for the burgeoning craft beer tourism industry that has blossomed in the region over the past decade. The new building will tally approximately 105,000 sq. ft., of which a little more than half will be dedicated to a production brewery and company offices, with the balance of the building housing the tap room and dining areas. The project will also include an outdoor beer garden.
“The planning for this new facility has been extremely exciting and is a big step for our company,” stated Matt Kahn, president and co-founder of Big Ditch Brewing Company. “Demand for our beer continues to grow and more opportunities exist for expanded sales and distribution. That’s why this site expansion is so timely and necessary, as it will allow us to really ramp-up production.”
“The Transit Road project site is exceptional real estate”, stated Paul B. Iskalo, president & chief executive officer of Iskalo Development Corp. and fellow co-founder of Big Ditch Brewing Company. “We acted quickly to secure the property when it first became available, as we could see beyond its current appearance to envision its outstanding potential.”
The new brewery will be initially equipped for 50,000 barrels of annual production capacity. By comparison, Big Ditch Brewing Company’s current downtown Buffalo facility has a 15,000 barrel annual capacity. The existing location is presently brewing at maximum capacity with three shifts, 24 hours per day to meet demand. A new, larger canning line will also be included in the new building to complement the smaller line at the downtown facility.
“One of the hallmarks of the craft beer industry is product innovation,” stated Kahn. “The new facility will free up capacity at the downtown brewery and allow us to focus on research, innovation, and the development of new craft beers.”
The two-story front portion of the new building will feature dining areas on both floors. The tap room and beer hall areas will be located on the first floor together with a private dining room and retail store where beer and branded merchandise will be sold. The second floor will house additional tap room seating, the Brewer’s Lounge, three additional private dining/meeting rooms and a private event venue capable of entertaining over 200 guests. There will also be a Tasting and Education Room on the second floor leading to viewing areas above the brewing operation for group tours. Similar to the downtown location, the interior design of the building will continue to pay homage to the brewery’s namesake, the iconic Erie Canal.
“The new tap room would serve as the suburban complement to our highly successful Huron Street tap room, and the event venues that will be in the new building will allow us to host larger events than we’re currently able to accommodate at our downtown facility,” concluded Kahn.
Iskalo Development recently filed applications with the Erie County Industrial Development Agency and the Town of Cheektowaga related to the proposed project. The advancement of the effort is conditioned upon the successful outcome of these applications, with reviews anticipated to conclude within 60-to-90 days. Upon favorable approvals, Iskalo Development intends to proceed with demolition of the existing vacant buildings on the property. Construction of the new brewery would begin in mid-to-late summer with anticipated project completion in late-2021.
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About Big Ditch Brewing Company
Founded in 2014, Big Ditch Brewing Company is a Buffalo, NY based independent craft brewery named after “Clinton’s Big Ditch”, the nickname for the Erie Canal. Voted "Best Craft Brewery in New York State" in 2016 at the Tap NY festival, Big Ditch has quickly grown into one of the most successful craft breweries in New York. Big Ditch beer is available in retail stores, bars and restaurants throughout Western New York. Patrons can also enjoy Big Ditch beer at its source from the brewery's tap room at 55 East Huron Street in the Electric District of downtown Buffalo.
About Iskalo Development Corp.
Iskalo Development Corp. is a full-service commercial real estate development company active in Western New York. Founded in 1988 by Paul B. Iskalo, Iskalo Development is an experienced real estate developer of both “ground up” and “adaptive re-use” commercial projects. Iskalo Development infuses each project it undertakes with passion, creativity and an unparalleled attention to detail that is their hallmark, with a strong emphasis on architecturally appropriate, context-sensitive design principles. Learn more about the company here.