5 Reasons to Look Forward to MadTree’s Expansion

With today’s announcement that MadTree Brewing is launching a new production brewery/tap room/event center in Oakley, to the tune of $18 million, there are lots of reasons to be excited. Here are our top five:

1. It’s the ultimate upcycle. MadTree will be taking a defunct paper factory—RockTenn closed its paperboard operations at the site in late 2014; the mill had been in operation since the 1940s—and turning it into a destination. Such is the life cycle of Oakley: former industrial sites becoming today’s hot spots.
2. They’re adding jobs. According to MadTree, the project will bring 50 new jobs to the city immediately, with plans to add 40 more over the next three years. That’s a net +27 jobs, if you consider the 63 jobs lost when RockTenn closed.
3. More beer, part one. With more space comes more capacity. MadTree produced nearly 20,000 barrels in 2015; they’re hoping to eventually be able to produce 100,000 barrels a year at the new facility. That means distribution, and more beer available, which brings us to…
4. More beer, part two. The expanded tap room will hold 64 taps. That’s right, 64. And there will be a 10,000 square foot outdoor beer garden, plus room for an expanded Catch-a-Fire Pizza café.
5. Parking. If you’ve been to MadTree’s Kennedy Avenue space, you know that parking can be a bit of a free-for-all at times. With nearly five acres of space, let’s hope there will be a little more elbow room. Check out the site map, and the Madison Road elevation, below:

Courtesy MadTree Brewing

Courtesy MadTree Brewing