With exactly one zillion breweries operating across America, distribution news is always a steady constant in the CBB mailbox. Every week, we get 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].
San Diego’s Bay City Brewing partners with Karl Strauss for California distribution
Karl Strauss Brewing Co., San Diego’s longest continuously operating post-Prohibition brewing company, has entered into a distribution agreement with Bay City Brewing Co.. Karl Strauss Chief Operating Officer Chad Heath made the announcement.
Karl Strauss Distributing (KSD) is now bringing Bay City beer off premises throughout San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Four beers are being distributed: Fiesta Island Pils, Jucci Gang Hazy Double IPA, Peninsula Amber Lager and Ron Murkundy Hazy IPA. The selections is available in restaurants, bars and retail outlets. They are also available in San Diego grocery stores, including Total Wine & More.
“Karl Strauss Distributing was created to partner with revered San Diego breweries exactly like Bay City Brewing, which is why we are thrilled to bring them on as one of our distribution partners,” Heath said. “We look forward to bringing Bay City’s impressive lineup of beers to new consumers across Southern California and supporting the growth of another San Diego craft brewery.”
Launched in 2018, KSD utilizes its extensive network to catalyze growth for partner brands that share an affinity for quality craft beer. Other local craft breweries with distribution agreements include BLACK PLAGUE Brewing, WestBrew, and Booze Brothers Brewing Co.
“This partnership with Karl Strauss Distributing marks a significant new chapter for Bay City Brewing,” said Bay City Co-Owner Chad Robley. “Their exceptional network and deep roots in the San Diego beer scene provide a strong platform for us to expand our distribution and introduce our craft beers to enthusiasts across Southern California. We are proud to align with a distributor that truly understands the craft and culture of our city, and we are excited to continue our trajectory of growth together.”
Founded in the Point Loma community of San Diego in 2015 by Greg Anderson and Benjamin Dubois, Bay City produces over a dozen craft beers, including seasonal options. In 2020, Bay City opened its Downtown — East Village location, featuring a tasting room plus a rooftop bar which commands panoramic views of the San Diego skyline. Bay City was recognized by San Diego Business Journal in 2023 as one of San Diego’s Top-5 fastest-growing private companies.
Colorado’s Bootstrap Brewing exports to Europe
Bootstrap Brewing recently announced that it has begun exporting beer to Europe. The company joined the Brewers Association’s Export Development Program earlier this year and attended its first Import Festival in February at the Beer + Food Attraction in Rimini Italy. At the show, owners Steve and Leslie Kaczeus were able to meet with importers and distributors to sample beer which directly resulted in partnerships formed with Beer Republic, a BrouwUnie Co., based in the Netherlands and Great Brands of Sweden.
Bootstrap Brewing recently shipped its first pallet of award-winning beers to Beer Republic, and they will begin hitting stores, bars and restaurants in the Netherlands and other European countries very soon.
“For the initial launch, we wanted all eight styles of Bootstrap’s canned products so we can introduce our customers to their full product line and see which ones are favored,” explained Steven van Eendenburg van Oosterhout of Beer Republic.
Then, in early April, Great Brands received news that two of Bootstrap’s beers, Medal AF IPA and Wreak Havoc Imperial Red, won placements in the Systembolaget’s tender. which is Sweden’s state-owned retail monopoly run by the country.
“This is absolutely fantastic news for a brand-new supplier that has never shipped into our market to win two placements straight out of the gate,” explained Jörgen Hasselqvist, owner of Great Brands. “We’re excited to work with Bootstrap to promote their products in Sweden, Finland and Norway in the coming months.”
Bootstrap will attend more international shows to continue to develop relationships with more importers and distributors on other continents.
“This year, we’ll attend shows in the U.K., Sweden, Costa Rica, Japan and any other countries that make sense to continue this momentum,” explained Leslie Kaczeus. “We love to travel, and this new marketing emphasis is a perfect way to sell more beer while visiting countries we enjoy exploring.”
Kit NA Brewing partners with Pop Up Grocer
Kit NA Brewing, a leading non-alcoholic beer beverage brand, recently announced its official partnership with Pop Up Grocer, a discovery destination for new, better-for-you products, specializing in emerging brands. The collaboration is an exciting partnership for Kit NA Brewing as the brand recognizes the expanding demographic of health-conscious Millennial and Gen Z Consumers, which is the exact audience Pop Up Grocer targets.
Pop Up Grocer is available to consumers in New York City, is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week, and is known for its commitment to showcasing and promoting new and interesting brands that prioritize quality and wellness. Popular with content creators, influencers, retailers, buyers, investors, and stakeholders, Pop Up Grocer provides an exciting platform for brands to gain exposure and connect with their target audience. 90 percent of the fastest-growing CPG brands have participated in Pop Up Grocer, and Kit NA Brewing is now on the list.
Kit NA Brewing’s debut at Pop Up Grocer will feature three distinct flavors/styles, each crafted to deliver a crushable and refreshing non-alcoholic beer experience. The lineup includes:
- On Your Mark Blonde — Light and citrusy blonde with notes of grapefruit and a crisp, hop-forward finish
- Get Set Wheat — Bright and crushable wheat beer with notes of orange peel and coriander, followed by a smooth, full-bodied finish
- Here We Go Hazy — Tropical and juicy IPA with notes of mango and berry, followed by a balanced hop finish.
All three flavors will be available in a convenient six-pack format, as well as individual cans, providing consumers with flexibility and choice.
Kit’s Director of Marketing, Jayme Brown commented: “We are beyond thrilled to embark on this exciting partnership with Pop Up Grocer; a highly influential and respected organization within the CPG world. Our award-winning non-alcoholic beer brand perfectly aligns with the sober curious and health-conscious Millennial and Gen Z consumers that Pop Up Grocer attracts. We believe this collaboration will provide a fantastic platform to showcase our crushable and approachable non-alcoholic beers.”
For more information on Kit NA Brewing, please visit https://www.kitna.beer/.
Neshaminy Creek expands Rita’s Fruit Brews lineup with Homegrown Distribution
Neshaminy Creek Brewing Co. is adding another new flavor to its Rita’s Fruit Brews line of beers inspired by Rita’s Italian Ice (Rita’s) — Watermelon Sour. This new brew will join the ranks of Mango, Peach Ring and Cherry Lemonade. Rita’s Fruit Brews Watermelon Sour will then be available throughout the brewery’s distribution network in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and now Massachusetts and Rhode Island thanks to its new partnership with Homegrown Distribution.
Neshaminy Creek and Rita’s first joined forces in the spring of 2023 to launch the Rita’s Fruit Brews line as a tribute to the Italian Ice brand’s iconic flavors. This partnership was built on local pride as Rita’s first location opened in 1984 just 10 minutes down the road from Neshaminy Creek’s production brewery while today Rita’s is headquartered only a little further away from the brewery in the opposite direction. Both brands have become regional staples and synonymous with sweet relief from the summer heat.
Rita’s Fruit Brews Watermelon Sour keys off the latest flavor that recently debuted at Rita’s shops across the country — Sour Patch Kids Watermelon Ice. First it’s sour. Then it’s sweet. Then it’s gone. The beer is refreshingly tart with a lactic sourness that adds a bright burst to the sweet watermelon candy flavor. With a light body, tingly carbonation, tangy finish, and a highly sessionable 5 percent ABV, Rita’s Fruit Brews Watermelon Sour is a fresh slice of summer in a can.
For the first time ever, Neshaminy Creek is expanding distribution of its Rita’s Fruit Brews line into Massachusetts and Rhode Island with its partners at Homegrown Distribution. After seeing the initial success of the brand throughout the Philadelphia region, Homegrown and Neshaminy Creek saw an opportunity to give Rita’s fans in New England a taste of these fruit forward ales. The craft beer and specialty beverage wholesaler will carry the previously released Rita’s Fruit Brews Variety Packs and the new Watermelon Sour along with a limited selection of Neshaminy Creek’s core beers.
“I was so excited when Rita’s told us they were working on a Sour Patch Kids Watermelon ice because I knew that’d make for an awesome summer beer,” said Kyle Park, Director of Sales and Marketing at Neshaminy Creek. “The huge range of flavors that Rita’s has to offer is one of the things that has made this such a fun project to work on. When it comes to candy, sour gummies are my weakness so getting to experiment with our brewers and bring this watermelon flavor to life in a beer was a real treat. It’s also been great getting to know the crew at Homegrown Distribution, and we can’t wait to have Neshaminy Creek available in their market.”
Rita’s Fruit Brews Watermelon Sour will debut in 12-oz can six-packs. Rita’s Fruit Brews Watermelon Sour will be available at retailers throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Rita’s Fruit Brews will be sold alongside Neshaminy Creek’s wide variety of handcrafted ales and lagers that have made the brewery a regional staple for nearly 12 years. Interested customers can find their nearest retailer using Neshaminy Creek’s Beer Finder.
Detroit’s Elephant & Co. expands pizza and beer delivery to Royal Oak and beyond
Elephant & Co., Eastern Market Brewing Co.‘s latest venture, is transforming Michigan’s pizza landscape. In 2024, they have consistently introduced new elements, most recently expanding its one-of-a-kind pizza and beer delivery service. This pioneering service, the first of its kind in Michigan, now caters to addresses in Detroit, Royal Oak, Oak Park, Madison Heights, Ferndale, Berkley, Hazel Park, Huntington Woods, and Pleasant Ridge.
In January, Eastern Market Brewing Co. rebranded its production facility in Royal Oak, Michigan’s first self-service taproom, as Elephant & Co. and teased that the kitchen would open soon. Then, in February, Elephant & Co. launched home delivery of pizza and beer throughout Detroit, and it is the only Michigan company that seamlessly delivers beer to customer’s homes.
March brought Detroit-style pizza dine-in and pickup to its self-service taproom at 330 E. Lincoln Ave, Royal Oak, MI 48067. Now, pizza is available for delivery within a 3.5-mile radius of that address, and plans are to expand the delivery radius further in the coming months.
“2024 has lined up nicely for Elephant & Co.,” commented Dayne Bartscht, founder of Eastern Market Brewing Co. “We’ve taken an agile approach to our ultimate goal of opening our flagship Elephant & Co. location at 456 Charlotte in Detroit, and each step has validated our vision for it.”
456 Charlotte Street, the former Detroit location of Founders Brewing Co., is making progress towards an opening in late spring, with construction in full swing. As part of its strong ties to the community, Elephant & Co. is teaming up with local nonprofits throughout May to host “patio parties.” All beer proceeds from these events are donated to the non-profit partner, demonstrating Elephant & Co.’s commitment to being a community pillar and their local causes.
Visit https://www.elephantand.com/ to order pizza and beer delivery or to place a pickup order.
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