Oskar Blues Brewery re-introduced its canned craft beer to its northern neighbors of Idaho with CSB Craig Stein Beverage. The partnership represents a victory for Oskar Blues and Idaho craft beer lovers after seeing Oskar Blues pull beer out of the state as demand outpaced supply during 2011.
“The bike scene and single track along with Payette, Boise and Salmon River access reminds us of why we brew beer in Lyons, Colo., and Brevard, N.C., and we started canning beer in 2002. It’s a great fit for our passion for the outdoors and complex craft beer-in-a-can,” said Oskar Blues Founder Dale Katechis.
The Oskar Blues launch is scheduled to kick off Jan. 14 by building on and off premise distribution and events with the full lineup of craft can packages and award winning draft offerings of Dale’s Pale Ale, Mama’s Little Yella Pils and Old Chub Scotch Ale. Extended draft offerings are set to follow in the spring of 2014.
Oskar Blues Brewery packaged 59,000 bbls in 2011 and doubled that production in just two years, reaching over 119,000 bbls in 2013. That growth has been fueled by the addition of the second Tasty Weasel Taproom and Brevard, N.C., brewery in the hills of Pisgah National Forrest, which began brewing in December 2012. The Oskar Blues Brevard Brewery shipped more than 46,000 bbls in their first year of operation as East Coast distribution grew throughout the year, and the brewery has big plans for 2014.
The reintroduction follows additional 2013 Oskar Blues distribution in Central California and a new market launch in Indiana where Kroger is seeing increasing success with Oskar Blues brands. 2014 will see Oskar Blues increase distribution in a handful of new states including Minnesota, Delaware, Kansas, Nevada and increased coverage in Southern Alabama.
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