Looks like Lazy Magnolia won’t be alone in the south Mississippi craft beer community. This from WDAM:
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.
This update from WLOX:
JACKSON COUNTY, MS (WLOX) -
Craft beer won't be brewing in Jackson County anytime soon. Supervisors voted Monday against granting a special exception permit to Crooked Letter Brewing Company of Vancleave after several residents complained about the idea. But the owners said they refuse to let this beer plan go to waste.
A battle was brewing Monday between beer company owners and several Vancleave residents about alcohol brewing in their community.
"I am against it and I think it should be put somewhere else," one resident said about the brewing company.
"There are thousands of breweries in the U.S.," company owner Wanda Blacksmith said.
Back in April, the county's planning commission voted to give the Blacksmiths a special exception to build a brewing barn to manufacture beer on their 13 acre property. But some nearby residents and church leaders appealed, telling the board alcohol production in a residential community can only cause trouble.
UPDATE 8/23/2012: Here's an update from Wanda Blacksmith CEO of Crooked Letter:
Hi! Came across the link above and just wanted to update you. We are indeed opening in Jackson County Mississippi. After the county board denied our request to build in an agricultural area we were invited to the city of Ocean Springs. It is located in Jackson county South Mississippi just a different board. They welcomed us with open arms and we will be opening Nov. 2012!! Was hoping you could update your site. Thanks for your support of craft beer!
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