Oskar Blues plans aggressive 2014 marketing campaign

Oskar Blues Brewery announced a handful of new market launches right out of the gate for 2014. First quarter new markets include a re-introduction to Idaho with Craig Stein Beverage and Minnesota with Original Gravity group of distributors, as well as Kansas, Nevada and Delaware, along with increased distribution in southern Alabama.

This announcement follows a 37 percent, 32,000 barrel (bbls), increase in 2013 while adding Michigan and Indiana. Oskar Blues also filled distribution voids in Central California, Eastern North Carolina and the balance of Tennessee and Kentucky in late summer of 2013.

Oskar Blues Brewery packaged 59,000 bbls in 2011 and doubled that production, reaching over 119,000 bbls in 2013. That growth has been fueled by the addition of the second Tasty Weasel Taproom and brewery in Brevard, N.C., which began brewing in December 2012. The Oskar Blues Brevard Brewery shipped more than 46,000 bbls in its first year of operation as East Coast distribution grew throughout the year.

In addition to capacity increases, Oskar Blues added key player Lou Romano as National Sales Director in October and promoted Chris Russell to Business Development Director, in preparation for 2014. These two industry veterans lead a staunch group of regional managers and a sales force that has grown to more than 45 strong.