Arcadia Ales opens for business in downtown Kalamazoo

Jeremy Martin | Thursday, May 8, 2014

It's been almost two years in the making, but this week the wait will finally be over as Arcadia Ales officially comes home to Kalamazoo.

The 30,000-square- foot-facility on the East bank of the Kalamazoo River, adjacent to Mayor’s River Front Park and near Red Arrow golf course houses a state-of-the-art brewing facility, office space, a brew pub overlooking the river and a soon-to-be-completed outdoor area and beer garden.

The 4,500-square-foot brew pub will host its grand opening Thursday, May 8, offering the Arcadia Ales brewed just feet away.
"I'm proud to say that there is going to be a beer that is labeled 'Made in Kalamazoo, Michigan'," Suprise says.

Live music by the Kalamazoo Pipe Band and tap proceeds benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters will highlight the event. It kicks off at 3 p.m. with a ribbon cutting.

Arcadia Ales, named for Arcadia Creek, opened in 1996 and was initially slated to be downtown Kalamazoo’s third brewery, following Bell's and Olde Peninsula. Complications forced owner Tim Suprise to take the venture east to Battle Creek.

After settling in downtown Battle Creek, Suprise went to work building a brand of beer that has continued to grow in popularity each year. And though 90 percent of the company’s production will shift to Kalamazoo, the Battle Creek location will remain open and active.

"I think it started (18) years ago when we originally intended to build Arcadia Brewing Company here in Kalamazoo," says Suprise. "That project transitioned to Battle Creek, where a brand and a destination not only was created but it developed and nurtured into something really special."

The River’s Edge facility is currently equipped to brew 30,000 barrels of hand forged ale per year and has space to grow to nearly 60,000 barrels if necessary. Putting that in perspective, Arcadia brewed around 12,000 barrels in 2013.

Kalamazoo will also be the sole canning location for Sky High Rye and Whitsun, the two offerings currently being canned. The canning line will be the one previously used in the original Battle Creek location.

For more information on the grand opening and Arcadia Ales’ new space visit the company's website.

Source: Tim Suprise, Arcadia Brewing Co.