MurLarkey Announces Major Expansion At Farm Brew LIVE

MurLarkey Distilled Spirits, has unveiled plans for an $8.1 million expansion as part of the ongoing development of the Farm Brew Live campus near Manassas. This expansion, supported by financial aid from the state and Prince William County, marks a significant milestone for the company.

CEO Thomas Murray expressed the distillery’s excitement, stating, “MurLarkey is graduating and taking it to the next level.” Currently located off Wellington Road in Bristow, MurLarkey will establish a new presence within a 25,000-square-foot building featuring a state-of-the-art distillery and tasting room. This venture is expected to generate 42 new job opportunities, emphasizing MurLarkey's commitment to local employment growth.

Governor Glenn Youngkin highlighted the thriving food and beverage industry in Virginia, attributing this success to increased consumer spending and the state’s favorable business environment. He remarked, “With burdensome pandemic restrictions behind us, this growth and optimism are especially evident in our craft beverage sector.”

This expansion aligns with the ongoing developments at the Farm Brew Live campus. Villagio Hospitality Group, owner of 2 Silos Brewing Co., is investing $25 million to enhance the campus, including expanding beer-making capabilities and constructing a 100 room boutique hotel.

MurLarkey’s expansion efforts are facilitated in part by a $250,000 Virginia Agricultural and Forestry Industries Development Grant, complemented by a matching sum from the county. Agriculture and Forestry Secretary Matt Lohr praised the grant program, highlighting its support for over 120 businesses, leading to an investment of $1.1 billion and the creation of more than 3,600 jobs over the past decade.

Formed in 2013 by Tom Murray and cousins Mike and Jim Larkin, MurLarkey Distilled Spirits has a history of using locally sourced ingredients. The distillery exclusively employs Virginia-grown corn, rye, and barley, while also providing spent grain to local farmers for use as cattle feed.

During the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, MurLarkey demonstrated resilience by adapting its production to provide the community with over 3,000 gallons of hand sanitizer. This commitment to community welfare underscores the distillery’s role beyond its commercial pursuits and earned MurLarkey the Prince William County Humanitarian Award in 2021.

Del. Michelle Maldonado, representing the district that includes the property, emphasized the holistic impact of such developments, stating that strong economic growth fosters robust communities and families.

Construction for MurLarkey’s expansion is slated to commence in the fall, with staff and resources expected to relocate to the new facility by the fall of 2024. This strategic move signifies MurLarkey’s dedication to innovation and community engagement as it steps into this new phase of growth.