When we started on the web in 1995 most folks weren’t online. There was no spam and no illegal file sharing. There was also no Amazon.com and no Netflix. So step way back in time to the end of the last century and see how far we’ve come from virtual brewery to real brewery to real big (for us) brewery. Flying Fish Brewing Company created Flying Fish became the 1st “virtual” microbrewery on the web Moved into building Brewing equipment arrive Released Porter as a seasonal (draft only) Purchased bottling line Bottled XPA and ESB for the first time Belgian Abbey Dubbel released as a seasonal (draft only) IPA released as a seasonal (draft only) Michael Jackson visits Flying Fish for the first time Farmhouse Summer Ale released (seasonal) Bottled Porter and Dubbel for the first time Abbey Dubbel wins bronze medal at the World Beer Championships Started using 1/6 kegs (sixtels) Released Grand Cru Winter Reserve (seasonal) Added new fermenters; increases capacity by 40% Prince Albert of Monaco spotted drinking a Flying Fish ESB Added 2 new fermenters Flying Fish distributes to Outer Banks, NC Belgian Abbey Dubbel released in 6-packs Big Mouth Billy Bass added to Tasting Room wall. Big Mouth Billy Bass removed from Tasting Room wall after it drives everyone crazy Dubbel wins gold medal at the Real Ale Festival in Chicago All Flying Fish beer certified Y2K compliant Lovefish — the “Barry White of beers” — is released Distribute to Maryland and Washington, DC Flying Fish beer (Porter and Farmhouse Ale) poured at the Great British Beer Festival Phish has Fish at After-party Blackfish released Blackfish wins a gold medal at the Real Ale Festival in Chicago Governor Whitman signs proclamation designating July as American Beer Month in New Jersey First Flying Fish truck unveiled Limited hand-bottling of Grand Cru Moonfish lager makes its first and only appearance Flying Fish makes their first appearance at Mondial de la Bière, Montreal, Canada Flying Fish makes their first appearance at the Oregon Brewer’s Festival Flying Fish begins distributing to South Central Pennsylvania Flying Fish Porter voted “Best of Philly” by Philadelphia Magazine Grand Cru Winter Reserve released in 6-packs Flying Fish Gift Packs released Due to an e-mail glitch, everyone on the mailing list receives 10 copies of the monthly newsletter. Due to an e-mail glitch, everyone on the mailing list receives 10 copies of the monthly newsletter. New website rolled out Flying Fish brews its one millionth gallon Flying Fish is named one of South Jersey’s fastest growing companies by the Philadelphia Business Journal E-mail only party cancelled because of 100+ degree temperatures Oktoberfish released (draft only-seasonal) — sells out in two weeks Flying Fish starts shipping to Delaware Big Fish Barleywine brewed First Slow Food New Jersey Brewer’s Guild Tasting Mt. Holly Fire & Ice Festival unveils Flying Fish ice sculpture Big Fish Barleywine released Flying Fish XPA served at the Phillies’ new Citizens Bank ballpark Oktoberfish released in bottles (seasonal) Flying Fish beers poured at Slow Food Fest in Turin, Italy HopFish (formerly known as HopPhish**) released (draft only). (**Flying Fish forced to change name of beer after receiving a “nasty gram” from the band Phish.)(see August 1999 — Phish had Fish at after-party)) Add new fermenters – increase capacity by 22% Flying Fish Porter included in 7 Threads Symposium Ale, brewed for the 2005 Craft Brewers Conference in Philadelphia Vanilla Ice introduced as a draft only specialty event beer Flying Fish Pub opens at Campbell’s Field – home of the Camden Riversharks baseball team Flying Fish on schedule to brew the most beer ever brewed in a one month period since the brewery opened Brewery expands cold storage and swaps out smaller fermenting tank for larger ones. Oktoberfest named best Festbier by Baltimore Sun. New bottling line increases production to 160 bottles per minute. Abbey Dubbel wins silver medal at Great American Beer Festival, the largest such competition in the world. Flying Fish becomes founding member of Philly Beer Week, the first and largest of the hundreds of beer weeks now in existence. Imperial Espresso Porter released in bottles. Exit 4 is released as the first in a series of beers honoring New Jersey though its turnpike exits. Turnpike Authority issues cease and desist. Flying Fish fights back and Turnpike Authority backs down 30 days later. Exit 4 sells out immediately. Exit 11 is released in June and Mother’s Against Drunk Driving (MADD) then attacked Flying Fish for promoting drinking and driving. After more than 100 newspapers cover the story, MADD backs down. Exit 11 sells out immediately. Men’s Journal named Exit 4 Best Beer in America. Exit 4 wins gold and HopFish wins bronze at Great American Beer Festival. Exit 4 released in 6 packs. Exit 1 and 16 released in large bottles. Exits 6 and 13 released. Flying Fish purchases 45,000 sq. ft. building in Somerdale and begins multi-million expansion project. Exit 9 released Washington Post names Exit 4 beer of the year. RedFish released as draft only product. Exit 8 released and wins bronze medal at Great American Beer Festival. Brewery legislation passes and is signed by Governor allowing tasting rooms. Exit 16 and 4 are released in 12oz bottle. RedFish replaces ESB as a year round beer. Brewery in production and construction. Forever Unloved (FU) Sandy released. The entire gross proceeds ($45,000) donated to local storm building organizations. By request, FU Sandy released in 750ml bottles raising another $30,000 for local organizations. Tasting Room opens in July. More fermenting tanks are added. OktoberFish wins siver medal at Great American Beer Festival. More fermenters and storage vessels added. Exit 1 released in 12oz bottle. NJ 350 released in 750ml to commemorate state’s anniversary. HopFish wins gold and RedFish wins silver at Great American Beer Festival. Tasting Room conducts bike race, 5K and hosts more than 200 home brewers in first NJ Homebrew Rally. Outdoor beer garden is licensed and opens.
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