Boulevard Brewing Company is planning to break ground on a 24,000-square-foot, single-story building next to the current brewery on Southwest Boulevard. The $10 million expansion project will accommodate Boulevard’s canning line, which it introduced in 2015. The new state-of-the art canning facility will allow Boulevard to to fill 350 12-ounce cans a minute, with room to grow.

“Demand for our canned beers has continued to grow since we first offered them in 2014,” said Boulevard brewmaster Steven Pauwels. “Ten years ago it was uncommon to find craft beer in cans, but today it’s a popular package. We’re happy to oblige because cans completely block light, they’re lighter than bottles so easier to transport, and they can go almost anywhere.”

Dali Grabar and Tim Hall, engineering directors for Boulevard, are overseeing the project. Finkle + Williams Architecture is the project architect, MillerStauch Construction is the general contractor, and Krones AG, a packaging and bottling machine manufacturer, will supply key equipment. Production is anticipated to begin in early 2018.

“We have an aggressive schedule,” said Grabar, “but plan to be producing cans by the first quarter of next year.”