Deborah Carey Details New Glarus Brewing Expansion
The New Glarus founder discussed the company's growth at the 2026 Wisconsin Economic Summit in Eau Claire.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Beer
Live Poll
Would you prefer to see local businesses stay small or aggressively expand their operations?
Deborah Carey, founder of New Glarus Brewing Co., shared the company's history of scaling production during her address at the 2026 Wisconsin Economic Summit. The brewery is currently executing a $55 million facility expansion to keep pace with demand.
Why it matters
The expansion underscores how New Glarus Brewing Co. continues to manage production growth while strictly maintaining its model of selling exclusively within Wisconsin. Carey's career path highlights the potential for rapid scaling when companies invest heavily in dedicated production facilities.
New Glarus Brewing Co. began with just 3,000 barrels of production in 1993 and grew to 86,000 barrels by 2006. The brewery's initial equipment was purchased for $117,000 at a foreclosure sale in Appleton.
The players
Deborah Carey
She is the founder of New Glarus Brewing Co. and a prominent figure in the state business community.
New Glarus Brewing Co.
This brewery is a Wisconsin-based company that exclusively distributes its products within the state.
The details
Since its inception as Carey's third company, the brewery has prioritized Wisconsin-only distribution to anchor its operations. To support this local model, the firm has consistently funneled revenue into physical infrastructure, starting from the original 30,000-barrel design capacity to modern, multi-million dollar facilities.
Timeline
1993: The company produced its first 3,000 barrels of beer.
2006: Annual production output reached 86,000 barrels.
2008: The company opened its current hilltop brewing facility.
2026: Deborah Carey spoke at the Wisconsin Economic Summit in Eau Claire.
2027: The ongoing $55 million facility expansion is scheduled for completion.
Culture Shift
The brewery's growth strategy mirrors the broader shift toward hyper-local, state-exclusive production models in the craft beverage industry. This approach counters the trend of mass-market national distribution by doubling down on regional loyalty and specialized infrastructure investments.
Customers across Wisconsin can expect continued access to the brewery's products as the company upgrades its production capacity. These infrastructure improvements are designed to ensure consistent availability within the state despite rising consumer demand.
The takeaway
Maintaining a focus on regional roots can provide a stable foundation for long-term corporate growth. Entrepreneurs can look to this model as a template for balancing scaling needs with a commitment to a specific geographic market.
What happens next
The $55 million facility expansion is projected to reach completion in 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about the local industry by visiting the Beer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wisconsin State Journal.
Live Poll
Would you prefer to see local businesses stay small or aggressively expand their operations?
