DRBA Commission Authorizes Lease with Glasstown Brewing Company - Micro-Brewery to Establish Operations at Millville Airport

(Millville, NJ) Today, Delaware River and Bay Authority officials announced that an agreement has been signed with the principal of Glasstown Brewing Company to lease a building at the Millville Airport.  The Authority Commission unanimously approved a Resolution, which authorized the lease of a former maintenance facility to the start-up brewer, at its September monthly meeting.  The brewery plans to have visitor tours, a retail outlet and tasting room at its new 2,800 square foot facility located at 10 Peterson Street.

“We’re pleased to welcome another tenant to our Millville Airport facility,” said Frank W. Minor, Deputy Executive Director for the Delaware River and Bay Authority.  “Small business growth is the backbone of the American economy and businesses, like Glasstown Brewing Company, contribute to the economic vitality of the region.”

Minor noted that Glasstown Brewery is the second microbrewer to lease space at one of the agency’s airports.  Beginning its operations at the Cape May Airport in 2011, Cape May Brewing Company has expanded its production from 60 barrels that first year to about 1,500 barrels in 2013.  Today, the company has ten year round employees.

Founded by city resident, Paul Simmons, Glasstown Brewing’s name pays homage to the Millville’s past as a center for the glassmaking industry.  Beginning in December 2013, the brewery plans to start producing about 200 gallons of beer per week. 

"I am extremely excited to begin brewing at the airport location and the Authority has been instrumental in the process of preparing the building for the Microbrewery,” Simmons said.   “The hard work and dedication of opening the brewery will be such an accomplishment.  It will be a dream come true when the first beer is poured, but that is only the beginning of the big plans for this little brewery."

Glasstown Brewing Company is Millville’s first and only production brewery.  The company is working with local establishments such as The Old Oar House on High Street to carry Glasstown Beer as soon as it can be produced.  Negotiations with other establishments will begin as the start-up microbrewery approaches its grand opening.  The one year initial lease term contains three one-year options. 

Glasstown Brewery makes several varieties of beer, including Whenever Wheat, ‘Merican Pale Ale, Glasstown Brown, John Doe IPA, Blackout Stout, and the flagship beer:  Glasstown Ale.  Glasstown will also offer seasonal beers such as a pumpkin ale, and winter spice ale yet to be named.  Simmons has been a home-brewer since graduating from Penn State in 2003 and plans to keep its manufacturing operations local. 

One of the Company’s goals is to incorporate locally grown or manufactured products into the production process as much as possible.  In fact, the company plans get its glass bottles from Gerresheimer Glass located on Wheaton Avenue in Millville. Seasonal beers using South Jersey cranberries, blueberries and beach plums will also be produced in the future.  Glasstown Brewing Company’s plans to open in early November.

About the Delaware River and Bay Authority

The DRBA, a bi-state governmental agency created by Compact in 1962, owns and operates the Delaware Memorial Bridge, the Cape May- Lewes Ferry, and the Delaware City – Salem Ferry Crossing.  The DRBA also manages corporate and aviation properties through its economic development powers - two airports in New Jersey (Millville Airport and Cape May Airport) and three in Delaware (New Castle Airport, Civil Air Terminal and Delaware Airpark). All DRBA operating revenues are generated through the bridge, ferry and airport facilities.  For more information, visit www.drba.net.