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BY SHARON PORTA
Times Correspondent | Wednesday, October 15, 2003 | (No comments posted.)
MUNSTER -- First, the Floyds started a tiny brewery in Hammond back in 1996.
Then they moved to a location three times the size a mere three years later. Now, Three Floyds Brewing Co. is seeking to expand once again, and wants to add a brew pub and restaurant.
"Most successful microbreweries have a pub," said Nick Floyd, Three Floyds' owner, president and head brewer. "It's a good way to make money on our beer. We will also be able to make more unique beers. Most distributors will only take four different kinds of beer."
But the Floyds -- Nick, Simon, and their father, Michael -- are choosing a more unusual way of raising the cash necessary for the brew pub. They are selling shares of stock in their company. Those who purchase two of the $500 shares will get a free pint of beer a day.
"Many of the West Coast breweries have raised money this way," Nick Floyd said. "If people buy stock and are a part-owner in a brewery, they might as well have some perk."
The plan is to sell 1,000 shares. The sale started in January, and will end on Christmas Eve. If all the shares of stock are not sold, all of the money will be returned to investors.
"Since we've started bottling, we've gotten our money tied up in that," Floyd said. "We're very optimistic. We've gotten 30,000 hits on our Web site, and people know about this through word of mouth."
Three Floyds started out as a draft-only facility, supplying bars and restaurants in Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana with brewery-fresh ales. The small business flourished and the next step was expansion.
While Three Floyds self-distributed nearby, distributors were brought on board to handle expansion of sales in the Midwest. By November 1999, Three Floyds moved to a 15,000-square-foot facility in Munster.
Three Floyds currently ships beer to 15 states. Floyd is planning to build the brewpub within the brewery, in an unused 2,000-square-foot office.
"Adding the brew pub is kind of a way to cover our bases," Floyd said. "It would be silly not to do this."
The business plan calls for a traditional room framed by red wood cabinetry with a zinc bar. Three Floyds will offer its own products along with rotating choices of American and European beers. There is also a plan for the brewpub to have regular movie nights and a personal mug club.
Teas, espressos, cappuccino and in house root beers will be available for those who want non-alcoholic refreshments. The plan calls for the brewpub to open in April.
"I've worked at brewpubs, so I have some experience," said Floyd, who attended brewing school. "As for the brewery, business has been great, we can't make enough bottled bears."
If you go
Three Floyds Brewing Co.
Where: 9750 Indiana Parkway, Munster
Phone: (219) 922-3565
Web site: www.3Floyds.com.
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