With exactly one zillion breweries operating across America, distribution news is always a steady constant in the CBB mailbox. Every week, we get virtual piles of announcements on new alliances, upcoming state expansions and even reductions from breweries growing and shrinking their distribution footprints. Here is some of that wholesaler news. Enjoy! If you have distribution news, send it to [email protected].
Atlanta’s Round Trip Brewing announces keg distribution via Savannah Distributing
Round Trip Brewing Co. has selected Savannah Distributing Co. for its keg distribution launch in May for Atlanta and surrounding metro area. Why?
“Savannah checked all the criteria we were looking for in a distributor, and we are excited to join their distinguished lineup of Georgia breweries,” said Craig Mycoskie, CEO and head brewer at Round Trip Brewing. “We are thrilled to be able to introduce our take on German-style beer to new consumers at bars and restaurants in and around Atlanta.”
The first two beers available for distribution include Straight Outta Munich, a spezial helles lager, and Isar Haze, a hazy IPA and hefeweizen fusion. Both beers will be available in 1/6 barrel and 1/2-barrel kegs. Gizza Pilsner, a New Zealand-style pilsner collaboration with Heaps Pies, will also be available for limited distribution. In August, Oktoberfest märzen will be our first seasonal distribution release with others seasonal selections available in the future. Round Trip Brewing is now accepting orders and interested bars and restaurants can place orders by contacting [email protected].
Round Trip Brewing has invested in two new 30-bbl tanks furnished by Craft Kettle and are set to be installed end of May. These barrels will increase production capacity by 40 percent to meet the increased demand for distribution. Tap handles designed and built by Steel City Tap Co. are available for bars to receive.
Round Trip Brewing will hold three distribution market launch parties the week of May 9: The Companion in the Bolton neighborhood on Tuesday, May 10, Westside Pizza on May 11, and Hop City at Krog Market in Inman Park on Thursday, May 12. Launch week celebrations will conclude on Saturday, May 14 at Round Trip’s Spring Fest to be held at the brewery.
MobCraft Beer partners with Mega Beer for distribution in Minnesota
MobCraft Beer is partnering with Mega Beer LLC to bring its beer portfolio to Minnesota cities such as Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth, St. Cloud, Moorehead and many others. Award-winning brands such as Bat$h!t Crazy Coffee Brown Ale, Low pHunk Sour Ale and Sour Golden Ale will be available in Minnesota starting in April 2022 along with a variety of seasonal and unique crowdsourced beers. Since opening in 2013, the Milwaukee-based craft brewery has grown its distribution footprint every year.
“Minnesotans and Wisconsinites may disagree on their favorite football team, but there is one thing that they both can agree on, a well brewed beer enjoyed with good friends. MobCraft is excited to bring our award-winning, unique take on craft brewing to the great state of Minnesota. Minnesotans will love our Sour and Wild beers as well as our innovative crowdsourced beer,” said Vince Undis, head of distribution sales at MobCraft.
MobCraft Beer is currently distributed throughout Wisconsin, Minnesota and Northern Illinois. Mega Beer LLC of Eau Claire, Wis., has carved out an impressive portfolio of craft breweries from Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota.
“Mega Beer is excited to be bringing MobCraft Beer to Minnesota! This well-established Milwaukee brand is sure to have many great offerings for the craft beer enthusiasts of its neighboring state. It is always fun to bring in new beers from good people,” said Justin Strayer, owner of Mega Beer.
The distribution expansion to Minnesota is part of MobCraft’s ambitious growth plans which includes the opening of three new taprooms in Denver, Waterford, Wis., and Woodstock, Ill. Renovations in Denver are currently underway with a scheduled opening date of April 2022. Waterford plans to open in the fall of 2022 and Woodstock in 2023.
MobCraft Beer was founded in 2013 by Henry Schwartz and Andrew Gierczak. It is one of the world’s first crowdsourced breweries. MobCraft’s taproom is located at 505 S. 5th Street in the Walker’s Point neighborhood of Milwaukee. Throughout the year the crowd submits and votes on beer ideas. At the end of the vote, the winning beer is brewed and available for all to enjoy. These crowdsourced beers are served in the taproom with MobCraft flagships, beers from their Wild and Sour Program, and more.
Societe Brewing expands distribution to northern California
Societe Brewing Co. recently announced its expansion to northern California, diversifying its availability in all of California’s key markets through Saccani Distribution (Sacramento), Delta Pacific (Monterey, Fresno, and East Bay), and Morris Distributing (San Francisco, Sonoma, Marin, Napa, Lake and Mendocino), adding to its current distribution footprint with Stone Distribution (southern California) and Alford Distributing (Imperial County).
Founded on the idea that beer is the world’s greatest social uniter, the independently owned San Diego-based brewery offers a wide selection of beer that is both world-class in its craft yet approachable giving it the reputation of being the brewer’s beer. Societe Brewing is now expanding its reach to the northernmost point of California, making up 20 percent of its total volume of beer produced.
“Since we started the brewery back in 2012, growth beyond our hometown of San Diego has been a dream. Outside of running a couple kegs to the Bay and Sacramento over the years, we haven’t had a significant presence in NorCal until now. With these new partners, we’re looking forward to introducing Societe to a new demographics of beer lovers and serving our loyal fans across the state,” said Douglas Constantiner, founder and CEO of Societe.
Brewed to entice all taste buds, Societe’s core year-round lineup and limited-release specialty IPA’s will be available via retailers including Trader Joe’s, BEVMO, Whole Foods, and more. Uniquely designed for and inspired by a person who enjoys life with a beer in hand, the core lineup includes Societe’s flagship, The Pupil, a 7.5 percent ABV India pale ale with bright notes of guava and mango and a clean finish, making it a crowd favorite since day one, The Coachman, a 4.9 percent ABV session IPA with intense peach and citrus hop aromas and two-time G.A.B.F. gold medal-winning definitive session IPA, and the Light Beer, a 4.5 percent ABV lager inspired by warm leisurely days fueled with the lawnmower beers of yesteryear, The Harlot, a 5.7 percent ABV blonde ale made with a pilsner base and Belgian yeast that makes for crisp and easy-drinking and the newest addition to the core lineup, Bulbous Flowers, a 7 percent ABV hazy IPA, still distinctive of Societe’s style, it has mild bitterness, with a slight sweetness and heavy tropical/pineapple flavors resulting in a mildly carbonated beer with a medium body that still finishes dry and clean.
Founded by beer-obsessed Doug Constantiner, with a vision of uniting people over beer, Societe Brewing was created in 2012. Just before the pandemic shut down in March 2020, Societe started canning its beer, going from a highly on-site focused distribution to an ever-expanding retail distribution and rapid growth during the pandemic. The company tripled production, setting Societe up for further expansion into Los Angeles and now northern California.
Availability: Societe’s core lineup will be available in 12-oz six-packs in bars and restaurants, Whole Foods, Total Wine, BEVMO, and more.
Medalla Light Beer ramps up distribution, expands into Illinois
Medalla Light, Puerto Rico’s flagship beer, continues its Midwest expansion and gets ready to conquer a new market — Illinois. Medalla Light makes it easier for the Prairie State’s fans to get their hands on the pride of Puerto Rico, a refreshing, crisp and light beer that embodies the vibrancy of Puerto Rican culture. Medalla Light, which has been on an upward trajectory since its arrival to Florida in 2018, is now available in 14 markets within the continental United States, with plans to launch across additional markets in 2022.
“We are committed to bringing new opportunities for beer lovers across the United States to enjoy Medalla Light. The superior light beer experience of our brand combined with the distribution expertise of our partners provides us with the opportunity to embark on new opportunities and leverage our strong East Coast footprint,” stated Jorge Bracero, chief marketing officer for Medalla Light’s brewing company, Cervecera de Puerto Rico. “Over the past 40 years, we’ve built a brewery known for producing an outlier beer, a true piece of living heritage. As a result, consumers in Illinois will be able to enjoy an award-winning beer.”
Lakeshore Beverage and Cervecera de Puerto Rico have formed a strategic partnership to distribute the iconic beer throughout the state of Illinois. The distribution company is part of The Hand Family Companies founded in 1949 and known for representing hundreds of the world’s most renowned beverage brands, including Medalla Light’s 10-oz can and 7- and 12-oz bottles.
Medalla Light promises to bring a piece of its beloved island to the large population of Puerto Rican’s transplants living in Illinois. According the Center for Puerto Rican Studies, Illinois has the seventh largest Puerto Rican population in the United States with 211,626 Puerto Ricans, comprising 1.6 percent of Illinois’ almost 12.9 million residents. Puerto Rico’s top-selling beer and ambassador of its vibrant culture, is currently available in Florida, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC, New York, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, New Hampshire and Tennessee.
Louisiana’s Great Raft Brewing expands distribution to Tennessee
Shreveport, La.-based Great Raft Brewing recently announced its expansion into Tennessee this spring, bringing its full line of products to the entire state. Beginning April 18, Great Raft will be available on draft and in cans throughout Tennessee.
“Since our trip to Nashville for the Craft Brewers Conference back in 2018, we have looked forward to the day that Great Raft Brewing would be available on shelves there. The diverse beer scene along with support from a strong partner in distribution made it an easy decision to launch in Tennessee — our first new market to enter in nearly five years,” said Andrew Nations, president and cofounder of Great Raft Brewing.
Reasonably Corrupt black lager, Southern Drawl dry hopped pilsner, Commotion hazy pale ale and Life Itself fruited gose, Great Raft’s year-around beers, will be available on tap and in cans throughout Tennessee markets in April. Seasonal and small-batch offerings, including Great Raft’s award-winning double IPA, Grace and Grit, will also be released during the launch. For distribution, Great Raft is partnering with Best Brands — a distributor with a passion for great beer and unwavering commitment to quality.
“Best Brands is extremely excited to bring on another Louisiana brand to our portfolio, especially one as phenomenal as Great Raft Brewing. Their liquids and packaging are topnotch and our team is more than excited for this partnership and to begin selling Great Raft products throughout Tennessee,” said Elise McKracken, vice president of sales.
To celebrate the launch of Great Raft Brewing’s beers, craft beer drinkers will be able to join the founders and sales team of Great Raft Brewing at a variety of soon-to-be-announced events throughout Nashville and Memphis.
Great Raft Brewing is a Shreveport, La.-based craft brewery dedicated to making creative, authentic beer and helping to build a great beer culture within communities it serves. Cofounders Andrew and Lindsay Nations are Shreveport natives with a passion for beer.
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