VANCLEAVE, MS (WLOX) -
Move over Lazy Magnolia, there's a new brewing company looking to expand the market in South Mississippi. Crooked Letter Brewing Company is planning to break ground in Jackson County, and add their passion to the craft beer culture.
"Economically, culturally, the craft beer revolution has been sweeping the nation, and it is in Mississippi," said Crooked Letter's General Manager Paul Blacksmith.
Paul and Wanda Blacksmith, along with brewer John Myers and brewery consultant Todd Hicks, have been working to start South Mississippi's second craft beer brewery.
"My husband and I have been craft beer drinkers for years, and there's a whole community in Mississippi," said Wanda, who is the CEO. "There are people everywhere that love craft beer and we decided maybe we could make a business out of it."
The couple plans to build a small brewing barn on their property in Vancleave. The company plans to start small, only producing 1500 barrels in its first year. That amount would increase by a few hundred barrels each year for at least five years. If it grows large enough, Blacksmith says they would move to another site.
The financial investment is anything by small. Equipment for the brewery is around $400,000 alone. That doesn't include utilities, supplies, labor and other fees. The business projection plan says the company should produce around $2 million in tax revenue over the years.
It has taken three years of research and tedious preparations to get the company to this point.
"Making sure it made sense, what are our finances? What's the market in Mississippi? Is there truly a market for a craft brewery here? It shows, the number show, that for craft breweries there's room for them and they need to come," said Wanda.
The company plans to break ground in July. However, before that can happen, the project has to be approved by the Jackson County Planning Commission.
The brewery's location is being challenged by one neighbor in the area who has filed a concern saying that adequate written notice of the project wasn't given. Blacksmith said he notified all neighbors in a 500 foot radius, which is what state law requires. He says the neighbor that filed the complaint does not immediately border the property where he plans to build.
An appeal meeting to settle the issue before the commission is set for Monday at 9:30. The meeting is open to the public.
"There are enough supporters in Mississippi of craft beer, of better beer that's out there, and we feel as though we're going to make a good product and market a good product," said Blacksmith.
Blacksmith said the company will open, even if they have to change the location. The company already has a distribution contract with Rex Distributing.
The crew is keeping quiet on the recipes they plan on bottling, but promise that their brews will be a good addition to the craft industry.
"If you go out and take a look at the craft beer market and all the ingredients that go into beer, it's amazing. It's mind boggling," said Blacksmith.
If the company breaks ground on time, consumers could see Crooked Letter on the shelves within a year.
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A new craft beer company is brewing in Vancleave. Crooked Letter Brewing Company is hoping to expand South Mississippi's craft beer culture.
