Indeed Brewing Announces 2017 Release Calendar & Plans

MINNEAPOLIS, MN, JANUARY 5, 2017: Indeed Brewing Company rings in the new year by taking a look back on its accomplishments in 2016 and sharing its plans for the future. The Company, established in 2012, celebrated four years of business last August and looks forward to continuing to grow its presence as a mainstay of Minnesota craft beer in 2017.

In the brewery

2016 brought expansion in both capacity and sales to Indeed Brewing, with the Company wrapping up the year by adding two new 210 barrel fermenter tanks. These tanks will grow Indeed’s brewing capacity to 29,000 barrels in 2017. In 2016, Indeed sold almost 13,500 barrels, the equivalent of 183,000 cases and an increase of 21% from last year. As the craft brewing industry continues to become more competitive, the Company is proud to report that on-premise sales increased by 10%, off-premise sales increased by 30% and sales of Indeed’s flagship beer, Day Tripper Pale Ale increased by 17%. Day Tripper also continued it’s reign as Best Pale Ale in The Growler’s Kind of a Big Deal Awards for a fourth year in a row. 

Indeed completed a long-time objective of statewide distribution in Minnesota with the addition of three distributors: Sunny Hill Distributors in the Iron Range, Coca-Cola Bottling Company of International Falls and Dick Distributing in Grand Rapids. “Expanding our distribution to every part of Minnesota has always been a goal  for our company,” says Indeed Co-Founder Nathan Berndt. “We have a focus on building our brand in the places we call home.” Indeed Brewing is now distributed throughout the state, as well at North Dakota and parts of Wisconsin.

On the horizon

Indeed Brewing is excited to announce several new additions to its canned beer lineup in 2017. The Company will release in succession, B-Side Pils – a German-style Pilsner, Lucy – a Session Sour, Let’s Go IPA – an India Pale Ale with Mosaic, Citra, Amarillo and Centennial hops, and a yet to be named tallboy iteration of its fresh hop ale, made with just harvested Mosaic hops. Each can will feature original artwork from Minneapolis’ own Chuck U. Let’s Go will be included in a new hop variety pack along with Let It Roll IPA, Let It Ride IPA and Day Tripper Pale Ale. These additions will increase Indeed’s canned offerings to 15, after releasing Rum King Imperial Stout and Old Friend Winter Warmer in cans for the first time last year.

Finding further success with its barrel-aged beer offerings, Indeed moved hundreds of barrels to an offsite warehouse in 2016. Indeed’s wild, sour and barrel-aged beer program, Wooden Soul, has grown immensely in the last year, expanding its aging capacity by 180 barrels. The Company accomplished this goal in part with the addition of two new 60-barrel foeders, large wooden vats used to age beer and wine. Indeed released the first bottle run of Wooden Soul: Heliotropic in 2016 and will release a limited bottle run of Wooden Soul #10: Cherry Dust later this year. Additionally, the new year will bring a Wooden Soul collaboration brew with California’s Gamling & McDuck Winery. The Company also procured more rum and tequila barrels to further expand the capacity for and variety of its barrel-aged beers in 2017.

Growing the crew

To support its development in 2016, Indeed added seven new employees to its hardworking and dynamic team, bringing the staff total to 53. The Company hired talented individuals to round out several departments, from sales and bookkeeping to event and taproom staff. Indeed is currently in the process of hiring a brewer, brand & sales ambassador, sales relief, and brand & event ambassador.

Keeping quality a priority

In 2017, Indeed will add an Esau & Hueber carbonation system to the brewery. It will be used after the centrifuge process, chilling beer to packaging temperature and instantly carbonating it. This equipment will save time and should provide a higher quality carbonation. Quality and consistency in its beer continues to remain an important bottom line for the Company, after hiring a full-time Quality Manager in 2014.

Continuing to lead the industry

Indeed Co-founder Tom Whisenand is the president of the Minnesota Craft Brewer’s Guild and has enjoyed taking an active leadership role in the local craft beer industry. After AB-Inbev’s acquisition of Northern Brewer, Indeed made the tough decision to pull its beer kits from the store. The Company decided to post its recipes for Day Tripper and Midnight Ryder on its website, and encourages home brewers to support their local home brewing store in an effort to keep craft brewing honest, accessible and fun.

Indeed Brewing is grateful to be a part of the vibrant craft brewing community in the Twin Cities and Minnesota, and looks forward to working with its fellow brewers, industry members and accounts, as well as serving its customers more quality craft beer in 2017. Cheers!
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