1487 Brewery is narrowing down who will be making its brewery system as they’re still working to court more big investors.“The seven barrel system is the largest investment we’re going to make in establishing our brew pub,” said 1487 founder Ben King. “Getting the right partners in place is key.” King applied for his federal permit to distribute and sell his German-style beers this month; however, he started sending inquiries to manufacturers both in the U.S. and abroad last August.
“This is a process that takes time and must be done on a parallel,” said King. “We need to make future deadlines.”In his requests for the project, King indicated special design considerations were needed in his system for brewing German styles that are not typically used to make domestic brews.King reached out to a number of manufactures in the U.S., Germany, Canada and Australia referred to him through the Ohio Brewer’s Guild, the National Brewer’s Association and international beverage expositions. While some responded within two weeks with quotes ranging from $280,000 to $750,000, four of the 12 companies never came back with a quote.King said he is rating the eight remaining companies on cost and financing, reputation, automation and the potential for advanced business collaboration with 1487. One German company expressed interest in using 1487 Brewery as a showroom for its glass brew houses, which have not yet seen use in the U.S. King says he hopes to close his first round of investors mid February and then make site visits to some of the manufactures in April. So far, he’s scaled down talks to at least four companies who he feels will continue to work with 1487 Brewery and its needs as it expands.
