A Gainesville brewery is packing up and will be moved into a new location come September 2014.
Swamp Head Brewery, which is currently located at 3140 SW 42nd Way, is moving from the back of a warehouse complex in Southwest Gainesville to a new 13,000-square-foot facility.
Brandon Nappy, tactical marketing director for Swamp Head, said as the brewery kept expanding its business, moving became a necessity.
“We’re moving, but we’re staying in the same area of town,” Nappy said. “If it’s working for us here, why change?”
Although the facility is not large, it’s enough room to grow for a few years, Nappy said.
The location in Southwest Gainesville is ideal for patrons because the original brewery is in that area, he said.
The business does not want to lose sight of its loyal customer following.
The new facility can accommodate more people in the tasting room and brew more beer, Nappy said.
The physical look and feel will be different, but business will still run in its traditional ways.
“It’s a blessing in disguise,” owner Luke Kemper said. “I’m excited about the idea, to have freedom to design and make a system that will work.”
The new spot is a destination in itself, Kemper said.
The location will be by the interstate and convenient for travelers.
“The new location will look like it’s in the woods and away from it all,” Kemper said. “It’s off the beaten path.”
With the expansion comes expanded ideas on packaging products, Kemper said.
A bigger space providing the means to can bottles as opposed to just kegs is an idea that will help grow the business.
“We’re excited that we found a place where our patrons can come around, hang out and have a beer with us,” Nappy said.
A version of this story ran on page 4 on 12/4/2013 under the headline "New Swamp Head location brewing"
