Third Space Brewing, 1505 W. St. Paul Ave., has seen unprecedented growth in its first year, adding three full-time and 11 part-time employees, gleaning increased exposure in retail establishments and earning multiple honors including RateBeer’s Best New Brewer (Wisconsin) award in 2017 and a gold medal from the Great American Beer Festival for its "Unite the Clans" Scottish-style rye ale.

And, according to an announcement made today, the brewery owned by Andy Gehl and brewmaster Kevin Wright, is on track for an even greater expansion in 2018.

Gehl notes that the expansion plans wouldn't be possible without loyal beer drinkers who have gotten behind the brewery and its local brews.

"We thought it might take some time for people to realize that small local breweries like ours could brew beer that they would enjoy as much as – or even more – than the national or regional brands they were used to," he says. "But their excitement has driven a large demand for our beers throughout Southeastern Wisconsin and beyond that has only increased over time. Therefore, we decided  it was time to take a bigger leap forward to get our beer into the hands of more Wisconsin beer drinkers and expand our ability to innovate and create exciting new beers for our customers to try."

On the production side, the brewery plans to add two 90-barrel fermentation tanks along with a 90-barrel bright tank, allowing the brewery to increase its capacity to 7,500 barrels annually.

"This addition will set us up for future growth and help us meet anticipated demand during the peak summer months," noted Wright, adding that a new state-of-the-art five-barrel pilot system will offer greater freedom to test new recipes, materials and processes. The pilot system will also be used to introduce new products, including additional releases of "In the Spirit" brews and specialty IPAs.

Meanwhile, a new whirlpool vessel will increase efficiency and enable the brewery to keep up with an increasingly expanded cellar capacity and a bulk malt silo (visible in front of the brewery) will facilitate bulk malt deliveries.

Fans of Third Space brews will also be excited to note that the brewery has partnered with Beechwood Sales and Service of New Berlin for distribution of product. So, beginning in the new year, consumers should start to see additional availability of product throughout Southeast Wisconsin.

"We are very excited about this new partnership with Third Space" noted Dave Cartwright, craft manager for Beechwood. "I have known Kevin for several years, and have been a fan of his beers even before he started Third Space. He and Andy make a great team, and have made Third Space a noteworthy player in the very vibrant local beer scene. We look forward to working with them to bring their outstanding beers to a wider audience and partnering with them in building Third Space into a prominent Milwaukee brewery."

Holiday events at Third Space

Third Space Brewing is also getting appropriately festive for the season. Join in on these fun events and promotions during the holiday season.

• Holiday Happy Place Photo Contest: Third Space is giving away $50 taproom gift cards to the best photos of people enjoying Third Space beers in their #HolidayHappyPlace. To enter, just post a photo that includes a Third Space beer in your own holiday happy place to Instagram or Facebook, tag @thirdspacebrews and use the hashtag #HolidayHappyPlace
• Acres Edge Cans: Third Space is launching cans of their Acres Edge Toasted Oatmeal Stout beginning today (Dec. 20)! They will be available at the taproom and at a limited number of retail locations that carry Third Space beers. On Saturday evening, Dec. 23, Third Space will be selling pints of Acres Edge for $4 with all proceeds going to summer camp scholarships at Camp Minikani, where Gehl and Wright met and where the Acres Edge campsite is located that gave this beer it's name.

• Holiday Ugly Sweater Koozies: To add some happy to the holiday season Third Space has Ugly Sweater Koozies available for sale in the taproom and as giveaways at events around town. 
• Great beer gifts: And, of course, there is always great Third Space merchandise to purchase for the beer lover in your life. Currently, they are running a special on the "State of Craft Beer" coffee table book. Anyone who buys the book gets a free pint and pint glass.