Sun King Makes Moves For ‘Solid, Steady’ Growth
(Image courtesy of Sun King Brewing Co.)
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA co-founder of Indianapolis-based Sun King Brewing Co. says a shift from self-distribution in its home county will help Indiana’s second-largest brewery continue to grow. Clay Robinson says an expanded distribution agreement with Indianapolis-based Monarch Beverage Co. will open additional doors to bars, retailers and restaurants in Marion County, as well as connect Sun King’s sales team with Monarch’s staff that service accounts "day-in and day-out." Robinson says Sun King brewed around 38,000 barrels last year and is on pace to produce up to 42,000 barrels by the end of this year.
"Our brewery has the capacity for about 50,000 barrels right now, so we’ve got room to grow and we’re really just looking to see some solid, sustained and steady growth," he told Inside INdiana Business. "We just want to grow steadily, and at the same time, continue to — at our brewery — reinvest in better systems and more people for the jobs that come along with more beer."
Sun King beer is still only sold in Indiana, a strategy Robinson says will continue. When Sun King’s wider agreement kicks in next month with Monarch, Robinson says its footprint with the distributor will reach two-thirds of the state. Valparaiso-based Indiana Beverage distributes Sun King in the northwest part of the state.
While brewing beer is number one for Sun King, Robinson says a previously-announced distillery in Carmel is in the final planning and development stages. The $5 million Sun King Spirits location will be led by co-founder Dave Colt.
Sun King Brewing Co. co-founder Clay Robinson says Sun King brewed around 38,000 barrels last year and is projected to produce up to 42,000 barrels by the end of this year.