Boulevard Brewing in Kansas City is preparing to dip its toes into the Atlantic, with a September rollout planned for the state of Massachusetts. Boulevard has already enjoyed success selling its Smokestack Series in the Northwest and now will see how the specialty line will do in the Northeast.
“Adding an East Coast market to our distribution portfolio is a big step for the brewery,” said John McDonald, Boulevard founder and president. “The craft beer movement in New England continues to gain momentum, and we are eager to see how our brands will play in that part of the country.”
All year-round, seasonal, and limited-release Smokestack Series beers will be available, some in 750ml bottles and others in 12-ounce four-packs. Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale will also be sold in five-gallon kegs.
“We are very excited that Boulevard Brewing Company has chosen us to represent their brands,” said Bill Burke, president of Burke Distributing of Boston. “They are the first supplier to sign on with MBA, our recently formed distributor network, and we are fully committed to their success. Working with an organization like Boulevard, known for their integrity as well as their fine beer, is a real honor for us, and we look forward to a long relationship.”
Boulevard is set to begin another brewery expansion in October. A six-month, $3 million project will remove six original 105-barrel fermentation tanks, replacing them with eight 300-barrel vessels built in neighboring Springfield, Mo. Upon completion, Boulevard’s annual fermentation capacity will jump by approximately 20%, surpassing 200,000 barrels annually.