VERNON, BC – Sleeman Breweries has announced plans to expand its Vernon, British Columbia brewing facility in order to meet the growing demand for the Okanagan Spring Brewery brand portfolio.
In an announcement at the brewery earlier today attended by Eric Foster, MLA Vernon-Monashee, Stefan Tobler, Okanagan Spring Brewmaster, and Dave Klaassen, Sleeman Vice President of Operations – pictured above from left to right – a $4.4 million project for 2014-15 was unveiled that will include new tanks, increased brewhouse capacity, and refrigeration upgrades. The end result will be an increase in the annual capacity at the plant by approximately 20 per cent, as well as new jobs in brewing, packaging, maintenance and warehousing.
“Thirty years later, Okanagan Spring is still brewed in Vernon where it was first founded,” said Klaassen in a statement. “From humble beginnings it’s become one of B.C.’s most popular craft beers – and is now extending nationally as well, with increased distribution in Ontario and Quebec. With the brewery now at capacity, we’re making a significant investment for the future.”