Portland ‘craft’ distillery to hit 1m cases

A “craft” distillery based in Portland, US, has begun an expansion that would allow it to produce up to one million cases a year.

Eastside Distilling, founded in 2009, claims to source all ingredients for its spirits locally and distills in small batches. It creates a range of products including Bourbon, flavoured whiskey, vodka, rum and liqueurs.

The distillery has now broken ground on building its new 41,000 square foot facility, which is scheduled to become operational in the second quarter of 2015.

Currently, the distillery is 2,500 square feet but will receive new distilling, bottling and packaging systems that will allow it to increase capacity from 6,400 cases annually to up to one million cases.

It is thought the expansion will allow Eastside Distilling to become the largest “craft” distillery in the Pacific Northwest.

The expansion will also support the development of the distillery’s new products, including a specialty gin and American whiskey. A new tasting room is also included in the expansion plans.

“This new distillery and tasting room will reflect our passion for creating premium, master crafted spirits,” said Steven Earles, CEO of Eastside Distilling. “It will provide the additional capacity needed for continued growth, as well as deliver favourable economies of scale as we expand.”