Heads up: Arizona brewery moves into new digs

CHANDLER, Ariz. — It’s move-in day for one of the Valley’s biggest breweries.

San Tan Brewing Company was setting up shop Monday at its new 35,000-square-foot facility near Warner Road and Arizona Avenue in Chandler.

Since opening in September 2007, the company has been operating out of downtown. Owner and head brewer Anthony Canecchia said space is maxed out at the facility.

“We did about 11,000 barrels down there last year, so initially the production at this facility will be about 40,000 barrels or about a half million cases of beer,” he said.

The increase in production is just one of San Tan’s lofty goals for 2013. The company also hopes to become the first Arizona craft brewery to export its product.

As for the original building, Canecchia said it will be turned into a laboratory, where the brewers can experiment on some new flavors of beer.

“Soured beers, and barrel-aged beers, triple IPAs — all kinds of fun stuff that we’ve never had the opportunity to make,” he said.

Six truckloads hauling 20-foot tall fermenters arrived at the new facility on Monday.

Over the next few weeks more heavy machinery will be brought in, with hopes that the brewery will be operating April 1.