Brewery on the Brink

Over the last 30 years the microwbrewing industry has grown exponentially. In 1990, there were less than 100 breweries operating in the United States. By 2009, that number increased to well over 1,500 breweries. Much of this growth is due to the renaissance of the local brewing company (craft brewing). In 2008 the craft brewing industry crew by nearly 6 percent by volume while producing some 8.6 million barrels of beer. In the first half 2009, the craft brewing industry continued its boom with growth of 5 percent by volume and 9 percent by sales. At the same time overall sales of beer were actually down 1.3 percent.

In 2000, a couple of hometown heroes in Buffalo, NY, Tim Herzog (pictured) and Patrick Mullins, started the Flying Bison Brewing Company. The first commercial brewery in Buffalo since 1972,* FBBC offered a unique flight line of brews from a couple of guys who got their start brewing at home. (Larry "Red" Mrozek was Mr. Herzog's original partner but he passed away before the brewery opened.)

Despite a slow start, FBBC started making headway in Western New York. Exported from Buffalo's Black Rock Neighborhood, the flight line can now be found in more than 100 stores and pubs across the region. Aviator Red is the standout of FBBC's 4 flagship brews. The company boasts an additional 6 seasonal brews and they recently unveiled Rusty Chain Beer; a collaboration with Green Options Buffalo, Buffalo Rising, and Buffalo MicroParks. Rusty Chain is a community effort promoting the positive impacts of bicycle riding.

We've had our share of FBBC brews, particularly focusing on Aviator Red and were disheartened recently to find the company in dire financial straits. The growth of the craft industry was not enough for FBBC to offset the difficult economy of Western New York (Buffalo is the 3rd poorest city in the US) and the skyrocketing costs of brewing ingredients. A craft brewer in the nation's poorest of cities can't simply raise prices on the consumer when the costs of raw materials go up.

According to reports in The Buffalo News, FBBC sales had been rising. According one report, 2008 sales increased by $25,000. It's just not enough to stay in the black and keep the lenders at bay, particularly when material costs increased by $35,000. Said one FBBC shareholder, "A couple of years ago, Tim was right on the edge of turning the corner and really making it."

Is there a silver lining to this dark cloud? Sort of. If you're the romantic entrepreneur type waiting for a Tommy Boy-like story you will be disappointed. If there's good news to report it's that Mr. Herzog offers a compelling product. So compelling that F.X. Matt Brewing Company in Utica, NY has already placed an offer to purchase the company and keep brewing operations in Buffalo for the immediate future. FX has the capacity to purchase raw materials for less and efficiencies can also be had in the bottling operations. “Utica is very efficient at doing long runs, Buffalo is very good at doing short runs,” said Steve Jackson, a shareholder and member of Flying Bison’s board of directors. “The two facilities would complement each other.”


According to reports, FX will brew Flying Bison in Utica with specialty runs of Saranac and FBBC to be brewed in the Buffalo brewery. FX CEO Nick Matt said "[w]e like Flying Bison as a Buffalo-based brand, and we think there is more opportunity for a Buffalo-branded product. Frankly, we think it can be a lot bigger than it is today."

The story is not quite over as the shareholders of FBBC must approve the sale to FX (the vote will occur on February 11, 2010). If approved, Mr. Herzog will be offered an employment contract. If the sale is not approved by shareholders, Sear Capital, an Austin-based investment firm with Buffalo roots, may submit an offer.



*Iroquois Brewing 1830-1972

Sources: The Buffalo News (January 20th and January 24th 2010), ArtVoice, Flying Bison Brewing Company. Statistics from the Brewers Association Craft Brewing Facts.