Ninkasi Brewing Company : 2013 Press Kit

NINKASI BREWING
COMPANY
PRESS KIT 2013
NINKASI BREWING COMPANY
272 Van Buren Street • Eugene, OR 97402
MAIN 541.344.2739 • FAX 541.284.0599
NINKASIBREWING.COM
NINKASI BREWING COMPANY
Founders
Nikos Ridge (CEO), Jamie Floyd (Founding Brewer)
Established
2006
Location
272 Van Buren Street, Eugene, Oregon 97402
First Beer Brewed
Total Domination IPA
Barrels Sold in 2012
68,427 barrels = 136,854 kegs = 16,969,896 pints
Ranked
31st largest craft brewery in the U.S. by the Brewers Association (2012)
Employees
84 as of May 2013
Recent Accolades
“100 Best Companies to Work for in Oregon” by Oregon Business Magazine (2013)
“100 Best Green Companies in Oregon” by Oregon Business Magazine (2013)
“Best Beer in Oregon” by readers of 1859 Magazine (2013)
“The 25 Best Beers in the World: Ninkasi Total Domination IPA” by Men’s Journal (2012)
THE HISTORY
In late 2005, Nikos Ridge and Jamie Floyd met at a favorite local bottle
shop in Eugene, Ore. Nikos was sampling a beer Jamie had brewed at a local
restaurant/brewery and through mutual friends, the two started talking.
The conversation landed on the question, “What would you do if you could
open your own brewery?” With Nikos’ background in finance and Jamie’s
experience in brewing, it seemed like a good skillset for starting a brewery.
Since then, Ninkasi has undergone three expansions, to produce more
beer for more people. The expansions included a larger production facility,
tasting room, office spaces, and local distribution, all while keeping the
focus on brewing excellent craft beer. Ninkasi’s culture continues to embody
“Believe in the Goddess”—symbolizing the Ninkasi ideal in an elevated
human experience through the social enjoyment and sharing of beer.
The two began brewing about six months later, on June 15, 2006, when
Nikos and Jamie spent 17 hours brewing the first batch of Total Domination
IPA. The first kegs were produced in a leased space inside of a German
restaurant in Springfield, Ore. Once a brewery, the building was equipped
with a 15-barrel brew house. Here, a new craft brewery was born with one
soul driving purpose—through the creation of the highest quality beers;
to improve the lives of its customers, the residents of its communities, its
employees, and business partners.
The current brewery features a 55-barrel brewing system, with a capacity of
95,000 barrels per year of craft beer to be distributed throughout Alaska,
California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia.
PE R PET UATE B ET TE R LI V I NG
Both founders knew they wanted to do things differently—within the beer
industry and in the local community. In a time when the industry landscape
was home to male-centric brands, Nikos and Jamie strived for a company
that represented what beer meant to them—a source of community and
the root of human existence. And so, Ninkasi—the Sumerian goddess of
fermentation—was selected as the name. Throughout human history, beer
not only was a catalyst for written language and organized education, but
was also the center of community and culture, one never in operation
without the other—a driving force behind the new brewery. In a quest to
find property that could cultivate community spirit, the two purchased real
estate in Eugene’s Whiteaker neighborhood and moved the brewery to its
current location in 2007.
The Ninkasi family of beers, known as its Flagship Series, has grown from
its first batch of Total Domination IPA to include Tricerahops Double IPA,
Believer Double Red, Oatis Oatmeal Stout, Vanilla Oatis Oatmeal Stout,
and Quantum Pale Ale. Today, the Ninkasi family of brands includes its
Flagship, Seasonal Release, Special Release, Prismatic Lager, Single Hop,
and R&D Series.
NIKOS RIDGE, CEO
JAMIE FLOYD, FOUNDING BREWER
Nikos Ridge, Ninkasi’s CEO, grew up in Eugene and moved to the East
Coast for college and to pursue a career in finance. After graduating from
New York University, working on the stock exchange floor, and living the
hustle-and-bustle of city life, he heard the calling of the Northwest and
returned to Eugene.
Hailing from Cupertino, Calif., Jamie Floyd first experienced the world of
craft beer when he moved to Eugene in the early ‘90s at the age of 17. While
studying sociology, with an emphasis in bioregionalism and community
studies, Jamie found himself living in a student co-op on the University of
Oregon campus. Here, Jamie and his house mates took up home brewing,
and Jamie became enthralled with the brewing process.
In the beginning of Ninkasi, Nikos, along with the rest of the crew, wore
many hats around the brewery. This included providing a one-man local
distribution service — loading up each and every keg and driving it to its
final destination in his Ford Ranger. Providing this service enabled Ninkasi
to enter the local marketplace with personal, one-on-one interaction with
local restaurants and bar owners.
A lot has changed since then, but Nikos can still be found sporting his
banged-up distribution truck stating proudly “kegs have been here.” Nikos
now acts as the CEO who manages the senior management team and is
responsible for the company’s allocation of resources.
Jamie went on to work many years in the local food service industry in
Eugene, including logging 11 years at Steelhead Brewery, where he worked
as kitchen manager and later picked up a second role as brewer’s assistant.
Over time, Jamie began clocking 70 to 80 hours weekly, maintaining both
jobs at the brewery.
Jamie’s continued passion for brewing allows him to successfully integrate
work and life in the true entrepreneurial spirit. Today, Jamie oversees
Ninkasi’s recipe development and creativity, assists with wholesale
partnerships to establish the Ninkasi culture, and works with the internal
marketing department with brand identity. To top it off, Jamie provides a
wealth of knowledge to the community and Ninkasi staffers, offering classes
in sensory, beer history and beer pairings. Outside of the brewery, Jamie is
involved with community outreach, government legislation, and is a board
of directors’ member for the Oregon Brewers Guild.
CORE VALUES
Our core values are the ideals that support our core purpose and that we
strive to achieve in our daily operations. They are the standards we weigh
all decisions against and are the defining characteristics of our company.
PE R PET UATE B ET TE R LI V I NG
The core purpose of Ninkasi Brewing Company, the reason for our existence
and the fundamental driver of our decision-making is to Perpetuate Better
Living. This means that we exist to make products that contribute to a higher
quality of life for our customers, and to run operations that contribute
to a higher quality of life for our employees, our communities, and the
individuals in the areas where we do business.
QUA LIT Y OU TPU T I N EV E RY TH I NG W E D O
Quality is the first priority in output and actions.
CR E ATI V E PU R SU IT OF M A STE RY
We embrace the pursuit of mastery, performing at a high level personally
and co-creating a climate of excellence. We take a positive learning
approach and get better every day.
I N TEG R IT Y I N OU R ACTION S
We act with good intentions and we are honest in our dealings with one
another, with customers, and with business partners.
SUCCE S S FU L I N TEG R ATION OF WOR K A N D LI FE
Work and life outside of work are both valued and mutually supportive.
We engage fully in both.
NINKASI BREWING COMPANY
AT A GLANCE
OU R ETHO S
The ancient Sumerians worshipped the beer they made and praised the
Goddess Ninkasi for the miracle of fermentation. As one of the first-known
communities, the Sumerians began to forgo hunting and gathering for an
agrarian existence, establishing the first foundations of modern civilization.
They understood the value of beer in their communities and relied on the
brewery as a pillar and hub of social connectivity. Additionally, beer and
the fermentation process provided potable water, nourishment, health,
and joy. It was the catalyst for written language and education; all valuable
contributors to an evolved quality of life and living.
Today, Ninkasi Brewing Company is dedicated to brewing the highest
quality craft beers in support of culture, community, and the uniqueness
of each individual and their passions—while evoking as much enjoyment
as possible along the way! We believe in and are committed to sharing
experiences that create value for our customers, our partners, and our
communities in service to our core purpose: to Perpetuate Better Living.
Beer is a staple of civilization. Believe in the Goddess!
“Believe in the Goddess” symbolizes the Ninkasi ideal in elevated human
experience through beer enjoyed socially and shared in benefit to culture
and community.
A FEW STATS
Established in 2006 by Jamie Floyd and Nikos Ridge in Springfield,
Ore., the Ninkasi brewery moved to its current location in Eugene’s
Whiteaker neighborhood in 2007.
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Since the move, the Ninkasi brewery has undergone three expansions,
with a major expansion underway and expected to be complete in
late 2013.
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The expansion will include a 7,800 square-foot warehouse and cold
storage local distribution facility, a 28,000 square-foot office space,
and an expanded 26,000 square-foot production facility—all within a
two-block radius of the current brewery location.
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Currently, Ninkasi has a capacity to produce 95,000 barrels of
beer per year.
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With the expansion, Ninkasi’s capacity will increase initially by 70,000
barrels annually, with room to grow to capacity for the next 10 to 15 years.
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Ninkasi currently distributes throughout Oregon; Washington; Idaho;
Montana; Alaska; California; and Vancouver, British Columbia.
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In 2013, Ninkasi was ranked as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work
for in Oregon” and “100 Best Green Companies in Oregon” by Oregon
Business Magazine.
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THE BEERS
From the first brew of Total Domination IPA, providing the highest quality
craft beers has always been our number one goal. With our roots firmly
planted in Northwest beer culture, creativity and in the pursuit of mastery,
we pride ourselves in the ability to continually produce great Ninkasi
beers for the novice beer drinker and the hop-head alike. Cheers!
In 2013, Ninkasi’s Total Domination IPA named the
“Best Beer in Oregon” by readers of 1859 Magazine.
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Men’s Journal deemed Ninkasi Total Domination IPA one of
“The 25 Best Beers in the World” in 2012.
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Ninkasi’s hops are sourced almost wholly from the Pacific Northwest—
Yakima Valley in Washington and Willamette Valley in Oregon.
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In 2012, our Single Hop Series was created to offer a way for our
brewers to experiment with new varieties of hops as well as offer
education for the consumer palate.
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Flavorful and balanced, Ninkasi’s
Flagship offerings are steady companions year-round.
A perennial rotation of bold, flavorful ales;
Special Release Series beers are an occasion unto themselves.
Crafted for the seasons, our rotating
Seasonal Release Series inspires better living year-round.
A refined and consistent malt profile
with rotating single-hop experimentation.
A limited release procession of
Northwest-embellished traditional lager styles.
The creative expressions of each member of our
brewing collective, R&D Series beers are Rare and Delicious.
E N E RGY CON S E RVATION A N D PRODUCTION
Installed in 2011, a 44.7 kilowatt solar array consisting of 160 panels
provides partial energy for the current Ninkasi facility (including the
brewery, office and tasting room).
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SUSTAINABILITY
As we grow, we are continuously seeking ways to do good in our community
and in the environment as a whole. These are just a few of the many examples
of how we are looking ahead to help create a healthy, sustainable future.
S OU RCI NG
Our hops are sourced almost wholly from the Pacific Northwest—Yakima
Valley in Washington and our own Willamette Valley in Oregon.
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Our bottles are made from as much as 60 percent post-consumer glass,
all originating in Portland, Ore.
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Our labels are printed at a facility less than three miles away from
the brewery.
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The cardboard used in our carriers and cartons contain 100 percent
recycled content or tree fiber from responsibly managed forests.
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M ATE R I A LS R ECYCLI NG
In partnership with Oregon Natural Meats, we are able to upcycle
hundreds of thousands of pounds of spent grain, what would otherwise
become waste, as feed for local cattle.
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Since 2009, we have upcycled more than 30 million pounds of
spent grain.
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Our bottling line recycling program allows us to recycle materials not
suitable for regular commingle recycling, including cardboard, plastic
shrink wrap, brewers malt bags, and green plastic strapping used to
band pallets.
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In partnership with NW Natural’s Smart Energy Program, we purchase
carbon offsets used to help farmers build biodigesters—turning cow
waste into on-demand, renewable energy.
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WATE R CON S E RVATION
In the brewery, we focus on small steps that make big changes over time:
reclaiming cooling water from the brewing process for use in subsequent
batches, rinsing our tanks with short bursts, and eliminating open hoses
to help us chart and measure what water we use.
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Our partnership with the Bonneville Environmental Foundation allows
us to balance more than 50 percent of our total water usage to purchase
Water Restoration Credits.
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In 2012, we were able to help re-stream the Middle Deschutes River
with 5 million gallons of water through the purchase of these Water
Restoration Credits.
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CU R R E N T FACI LITI E S
Upgrades to our brewing facility include the installation of skylights,
automated light fixtures and the installment of hand-dryers in place
of paper towels.
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Our location offers accessibility to many of our employees who live and
work in the same neighborhood — riding bikes or even walking to work
on a daily basis.
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N EW FACI LITI E S
With the expansion under way, our new buildings are designed and
built to reach LEED certifications—ensuring they are constructed with
the environment in mind.
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In 2012, we recycled more than 92 tons of cardboard that was sent
directly to a paper containerboard plant in Springfield, less than five
miles away from the brewery, to be made into new cardboard stock.
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COM M U N IT Y PA RTN E R S H I PS A N D SU PP ORT
In 2012, we commemorated The City of Eugene’s 150th anniversary with
a special release brew and donated all profits to FOOD For Lane County.
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In 2011, we teamed up with Eugene Water and Electric Board (EWEB) to
brew a special release beer in commemoration of its 100th anniversary—
all proceeds from the beer went to support the McKenzie River Trust.
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In homage to the neighborhood and community surrounding our
brewery, each year, we release a special brew for the Whiteaker Block
Party—a summer celebration of music, art and community.
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Our Pints For A Cause promotional program for our retailers, influences
community involvement and gatherings through promotional events,
donating $1 of every Ninkasi pint sold to a selected non-profit partner
throughout our distribution states.
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Our tasting room sources 100 percent of its food from local providers
(some even as close as a block away from our brewery!).
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We host a rotating line-up of local food carts on our patio to serve our
tasting room customers.
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In partnership with Habitat for Humanity’s A Brush With Kindness
program, Ninkasi will sponsor four projects in 2013, offering financial aid
and staff manpower to complete home improvement projects for people
in need in the Eugene/Springfield area.
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FOR MOR E A BOU T OU R SU STA I NA B I LIT Y PR ACTICE S ,
V I S IT: N I N K A S I B R EW I NG .COM/SU STA I NA B I LIT Y
BEER IS LOVE
With the creation of Ninkasi’s Beer is Love program in 2012, we have
been able to extend our community reach by offering in-kind donations
and support to non-profit organizations, positive community groups and
gatherings, and to local artists and musicians. Since creation, the program
has allowed us to support more than 600 organizations throughout
our distribution territories with beer, product and cash donations, and
more than 40 musicians and bands through various capacities.
Established in 2012, Beer is Love is Ninkasi’s program offering in-kind
support to organizations throughout the Ninkasi footprint.
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In 2012 alone the program has worked with more than 600 organizations
throughout Ninkasi’s distribution footprint.
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In 2012, we donated roughly $200,000 in beer, product and cash
donations to non-profit organizations throughout all six states.
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Through the Beer is Love program, Ninkasi offers assistance to local
musicians with studio time, mixing and production, tour sponsorships
and booking, vinyl pressings, and product sponsorships.
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So far, Ninkasi has partnered and worked with more than 40 bands.
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As part of the 2013 expansion, a new Ninkasi recording studio will
encourage more partnerships with and assistance to local bands
and musicians .
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PRESS CONTACT
Ali AAsum
Communications Coordinator
ali.aasum@ninkasibrewing.com
541.344.2739