(Los Angeles, CA) – Fireman’s Brew founder and chairman, Rob Nowaczyk, joined the Seacoast Beverage Lab podcast on Monday.

Fireman’s Brew saw 325% growth in 2012, according to a San Fernando Valley Business Journal report, and, as of March, had raised over $800k from a California stock offering.

The goal was to hit ten states by April, which the company missed, though it will hit that goal next week when it enters New York.

Fireman’s Brew is now available in California, Colorado, Illinois, Arizona, Nevada, Nebraska, Rhode Island and most recently, New Jersey and Virginia.

Some of this year’s entries have come through a partnership with multi-state wholesaler, Johnson Brothers. Johnson Brothers has a branch in New York but none in New Jersey or Virginia, according to its website. [BeerPulse note: we have reached out to the brewery on distributor information on those two states.]

The bottle/draft mix for each state depends on the wholesaler. New York, for example, ordered 90 kegs and no bottles for its first shipment. Chicago has also been huge for the brand because the Fireman’s Brew branding fits well with the city’s historical ties to fire.

Fireman’s Brew is considering adding an IPA or Double IPA to the portfolio due to demand, likely as part of a “Chief’s Reserve” series.

Nowaczyk credits landing a 250-location chain, Ralph’s, as a key turning point for the brand, taking it from hundreds of barrels to thousands of barrels. They actually tweaked one of the recipes based on that relationship.

Fireman’s Brew Brunette is the best-seller. The company’s beers are produced by Mendocino Brewing Company.