WILLIAMSTON - The tropical smell of Citra and Amarillo hops overpowers the back warehouse of Old Nation Brewing Co.

It mixes with the smell of the porridge-like mash that will later become the Williamston brewery's popular M-43 New England-style IPA, which is hazy and less bitter than most IPAs. Owner Travis Fritts has 560 barrels worth of the beer sitting in numerous large tanks each in different stages of the brewing process.

The 6.8% beer will later be canned and shipped off to retailers across the state, where it can sell out in a day or a week.

"It just goes as soon as we put it out," said Fritts, who opened the brewery at 1500 E. Grand River Ave. in 2015. "It's a great feeling."

Fritts has to expand his production capacity to keep up. In 2016, he sold 1,237 barrels of beer. So far this year, the brewery has sold 4,500 barrels. He anticipates by the end of the year, Old Nation will sell at least 10,000 barrels, adjusting for a decline in demand.

That jump in volume could put Old Nation in the list of the top 10 biggest brewers in Michigan this year, in terms of in-state sales. Compared to last year's data, that would put Old Nation above Keweenaw Brewing Co. and legacy brewery Arcadia Ales, which were ninth and 10th in the state. Keweenaw sold 8,707 barrels and Arcadia sold 6,826, according to excise tax data from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission.

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In 2016, Old Nation was barely in the top 50. Whether Old Nation breaks into the top 10 will be known in May 2018 when the MLCC releases 2017's year-end data. For now, Old Nation is still trying to keep up with demand.

"Hype is great but it's fleeting," Fritts said. "I may be meeting 90% of demand or 20%. All I know is it's not enough."

Across the region, Greater Lansing brewers more than doubled the output of beer from 2015 to 2016, selling a combined 5,299 barrels between 11 breweries and brewpubs.

It's not much. In fact, it's nearly 1,000 barrels less than what Saugatuck Brewing Co. sold alone. However, it's a signal that craft brewers are carving out a bigger foothold in Greater Lansing.

Twelve breweries and brewpubs currently operate in the region. Another six plan to open this year. There's Arcadia Ales & Smokehouse on Lansing's east side, Sleepwalker Spirits & Ales in REO Town, Dimes Brewhouse in Dimondale, Brickhaven Brewing Co. in Grand Ledge, Looking Glass Brewing Co. in DeWitt and ConfluxCity Brewing Co. in Portland. Spartan Brewpub in Mason plans to have their house beer on tap soon.

"Lansing has come a long way," said Eric Elliott, co-owner of Ellison Brewery & Spirits in Okemos. "It's really rallied behind the breweries in town. I'm excited to see all these breweries open. We're the capital city, we should have the best beers in the state."

Ellison opened in the fall of 2015. Last year, it sold 1,253 barrels of beer. This year, Elliot projects the brewery will sell 4,000 barrels. Right now it distributes to bars as far north as Mount Pleasant and as far south as the state line. By winter, it will distribute to retail stores.

Lansing Brewing Co. opened in fall 2015 and sold 1,334 barrels last year. Head brewer Sawyer Stevens expects to sell 1,700 this year. The brewery distributes in the Lansing, Kalamazoo, Flint and Petoskey regions.

"The beer industry in Lansing is still in its infancy," Stevens said. "I hope the growth curve doesn't stop anytime soon."

Fritts said Old Nation struggled in its first year.

"We were making traditional, technical beers and no one cared," said Fritts, who learned the trade in Germany. "We had to find something that was interesting to us and the consumer."

That's when Fritts joined the discussion about IPAs in a Detroit craft beer enthusiast group on Facebook. He brewed M-43 as an experiment and later invited people from the group to try the final product.

M-43 is a hazy with hints of pineapple and orange. It's described as having a creamy, pillowy mouthfeel. The bitterness is not intense, adding to its drinkability for those who don't typically drink IPAs. M-43 can be found at most craft beer stores for $14.99 for a four pack.

"It's my go-to beer," said Joe Pantanella, of Clawson, who discovered it through the craft beer enthusiast Facebook page. "It's got staying power. I believe they've built up a good brand loyalty now. I would go stand in line for their beer."

Pantanella said Old Nation's willingness to engage directly with its customers played a big part in its recent success.

Old Nation also distributes its Boss Tweed Double IPA and Boxer IPA. Both are New England style.

By August, the brewery will expand its production by 30%, an additional 20% in September and another 50% by October to keep up with demand. Fritts is investing roughly $800,000.

"It's a good problem to have," he said. "As long as we can keep keep making the best, high quality beers we can."

Alexander Alusheff is a reporter with the Lansing State Journal. Contact him at (517) 388-5973 or aalusheff@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexalusheff.