Tibbs Brewing Co. is about to triple in size. The little brewery at the corner of Lovell and Burdick will soon expand by taking over space formerly used by the bar, Kegger's.
Tibbs will be able to consolidate its entire brewing operation in the bar and kitchen formerly used by Kegger's, directly below the Kalamazoo State Theatre. The brewery has been making all its beer upstairs.
Since the space is already built for bar operation, it is a natural fit for the expansion needs of Tibbs. Tibbs says it plans to begin using the kitchen area within the next month.
By expanding into the lower lever, Tibbs will be able to brew more times each week. It also could allow him to move from a two-barrel system to a four-barrel system, moving from 62 gallons to 124 gallons within the next year.
The move also frees up more space to accommodate patrons, now up to 120 people.
Kevin Tibbs, owner of Tibbs Brewing Co., says the expansion was something the company envisioned when it first leased the space from the Hinman Co. The idea was to start out small, prove the business could make a go of it, and then expand.
"We've had our eye on the downstairs since we first looked at our current space early in 2013," says Tibbs. "The ability to expand onsite was very appealing to us and one of the deciding factors in choosing this location. It allowed us to open up small upstairs and use the current space as a ‘proof of product.'"
Tibbs Brewing Company is located in the State Theatre Shoppes at 402 S. Burdick Street. The shops are owned by Roger Hinman and managed by the Hinman Co.
Tibbs is now open seven days a week: Monday-Thursday: 4 p.m.-12 p.m., Friday: 4 p.m.- 1 a.m., Saturday: 2 p.m.-1 a.m., and Sunday: 2 p.m.–10 p.m.
Source: The Hinman Co.
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