From Bakery to Brewery, East Coast Beer Co. Details Conversion Plans for Belmar Location

Share Post

W.M. Sprinkman Corp. outfitting the former Freedman’s Bakery with brewery equipment.

 Belmar, NJ (February 17, 2014) – After establishing an aggressive construction timeline to transition the former Freedman’s Bakery into a brewery, East Coast Beer Co. has outlined details of what its new Main St. location and brewing equipment, supplied by W.M. Sprinkman Corp., will mean for its business and the surrounding area.

Wisconsin-based W.M. Sprinkman Corp. is installing a four-vessel brewhouse system in the former bakery, which the beer company will use to produce its popular line-up of Beach Haus® beers.

“Sprinkman Brewing Systems are made in the U.S. and are specifically designed for today’s American craft brews,” said Brian Sprinkman, President of W.M. Sprinkman Corporation. “We know two things based on working with East Coast’s owners on this project: Based on the technological specifications they provided for this brewing equipment, they are serious about this business. Secondly, with the brewhouse Sprinkman is building we are certain that they will have the ability to fully express their creativity when it comes to brewing a variety of incredible beers for years to come.”

Sprinkman is one on the largest domestic producers of stainless steel processing equipment for the food and beverage industries. Over the past 85 years, it has established a reputation as a high-quality and innovative tank producer in the dairy industry. More recently, it has expanded into the micro/craft-brew industry, offering standard and custom-engineered brewing and storage equipment.

“We knew Sprinkman would be a perfect match for our needs,” said Tom Przyborowski, East Coast Beer Co.’s Head Brewer. “They have a long history in the beverage industry, their welders are top-notch, and they employ a large crew of talented people with generations of experience.”

According to Przyborowski, the new location and equipment will allow them to produce beer more quickly and in greater quantities, while maintaining the highest quality and consistency in every batch.

The company will also produce more varieties of beer as they familiarize themselves with the new equipment. Currently, their lineup includes four styles distributed under the Beach Haus® name. Their plans include an on-site tasting room, where customers can try small batch, unique styles. They will also produce a limited release of Kick Back Ale, which has been sold out in recent months. Their expanded beer lineup will run the gamut from simple to complex, to appeal to beer novices and aficionados alike.

The beer company is looking to improve more than just its operation, according to partner Chris McCallion. “What better situation could you have? East Coast Beer Co. is rooted in the Jersey shore, from its owners to its ideals, and Belmar is a quintessential Jersey shore town,” he said. “This will be a major attraction and tremendous boost for the area; something the community can really be proud of.”

In addition to being a co-partner with Brian Ciriaco and John Merklin, McCallion is also co-owner of MB1 Capital Partners, a Wall-based real estate investment company that acquired the bakery property.

“Sprinkman seemed like a perfect company to partner with for this transition. They have a huge commitment to quality and customer service, and the fact that they’re products are 100% USA-made is ideal,” said McCallion. “You don’t stay in business for 85 years if you aren’t good at what you do.”

Brewery construction and exterior renovations will begin immediately. East Coast Beer Co. expects to open brewery doors to the public mid to latter part of 2014.

Currently, Beach Haus® beer can be found throughout New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Maryland, and its product line includes Beach Haus® brand’s Classic American Pilsner, Winter Rental, Kick Back Ale, and the newest variety, Cruiser IPA.

For more information about East Coast Beer Co. or its Beach Haus® brand beers, visit www.BeachHausBeer.com.