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!
Montucky Cold Snacks moves into Washington with Columbia Distributing
Columbia Distributing recently announced that it has entered into a distributorship agreement with Gallo, the famous supplier of wine, spirits and RTDs, to distribute Montucky Cold Snacks throughout the state of Washington. Remember: Gallo announced a strategic investment in Montucky back in May. Now this move to Columbia — the region’s largest beverage distributor — aims to help build on its reputation as one of the most ascendent light lagers in recent years. Montucky has grown from 130,000 cases to nearly one million cases over the past five years.
Columbia Distributing President and CEO, Chris Steffanci stated: “Foundationally we’re alike. Montucky was founded on fun and community. That’s our day-to-day here at Columbia — we have fun teams, great brands and are always finding ways to positively impact our communities. Additionally, we’re proud that GALLO has trust in our Total Beverage Platform built to grow brand awareness and reach new consumers. We’re excited to get to work.”
Montucky was established in 2012 by Montanans Chad Zeitner and Jeremy Gregory, who aimed to create a refreshing and fun alternative to premium domestic beer brands. Here’s their backstory. Montucky’s American Style ‘Cold Snack’ is a light, sessionable lager, designed to be crisp, clean, and refreshing. Popular among outdoor enthusiasts and lovers of fun anywhere and everywhere, Montucky has an ABV of 4.1 percent, 102 calories, and 4.95 grams of carbohydrates per 12-oz can.
“Gallo believes core lager is a big category with room for fresh and innovative propositions. This is where teaming with a prominent Washington distributor like Columbia will set us on a path for success,” said Tom Gorman, vice president-distributor management at Gallo. “We are thrilled to expand our malt distribution network as we introduce even more consumers to Montucky Cold Snacks.”
Yuengling announces Illinois distributor partners, and there are a lot of them
Last week, Yuengling Co. announced its new wholesaler partners selected to sell its iconic portfolio of beer brands in Illinois. In 2025, consumers in Illinois can expect The Yuengling Co. to begin rolling out its great beers to bars, restaurants, and retail locations throughout the state. The distributors selected to represent The Yuengling Co.’s portfolio include:
Fans in Illinois can expect more details on Yuengling’s newest expansion in the coming months.
Dokkaebier partners with San Francisco Naturals for sale in northern California
Dokkaebier, the craft brewery inspired by Asian-influenced ingredients, recently announced it has partnered with San Francisco Naturals, a leading craft beer and natural organic food distributor. The distribution agreement brings Dokkaebier’s award-winning craft beers to up to 4,000 bars, grocers, restaurants and retailers in Northern California.
“We are very excited to partner with Dokkaebier and distribute their one-of-a-kind craft beers throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California. We believe it is important to work with breweries that not only brew great beer but also stand out in the crowded craft beer industry. Dokkaebier does both and complements our growing portfolio,” said San Francisco Naturals founder and CEO Sam Elgendy.
“We are thrilled to partner with San Francisco Naturals to deliver our popular craft beers more frequently to retailers in our home market of Northern California,” said Dokkaebier founder and CEO Youngwon Lee. “The distribution agreement and partnership will give us the opportunity to introduce more people to our craft beer and the rich flavors and cultural heritage in every brew.”
Dokkaebier is one of the largest breweries in the San Francisco Bay Area by barrels produced. Since 2020, the Asian-inspired craft brewery has created and released more than 50 original craft beers with authentic, fresh and natural ingredients, such as calamansi, jasmine tea, lemongrass, minari, yuza, and even kimchi culture, from its flagship brewery and taproom in the historic Jack London Square neighborhood near downtown Oakland, California.
Merica Beer announces distribution agreement with Kristen Distributing for Texas distro
Merica Beer, a veteran-owned beer brand marked by its use of high-quality ingredients and cost-friendly price point, recently announced a new distribution agreement with Kristen Distributing Co. This new partnership will enable Merica Beer’s further expansion across Texas, allowing even more beer enthusiasts to enjoy its crisp refreshing taste, all the while taking pride in supporting an American-made product.
Founded in 1930, family-owned Kristen Distributing Co. serves around 25 central counties in Texas with alcoholic and non-alcoholic brands, with distribution around three million cases per year. With this new agreement, Merica Beer will have access to Kristen Distributing Co.’s extensive distribution network and benefit from its stellar reputation for providing exceptional service to their customers.
“We are thrilled to partner with Kristen Distributing Co. and to bring our beers to more consumers in Texas,” said Derek Sisson, CEO of Merica Beer. “The company’s steadfast commitment to quality and customer service aligns perfectly with our values at Merica Beer. We are confident that this partnership will help us reach new customers and continue to grow our brand in the Lone Star State.”
Veteran-owned and born and bred in Texas, Merica Beer is developed from passion and patriotism, leveraging traditional brewing techniques to create its unique American Pilsner beers. Consumers can enjoy the beer’s iconic branding, brilliant with red, white and blue that nods to the brand’s dedicated patriotism — not to mention its affordability.
“We’ve been fans of Merica Beer since it made its initial debut and have watched its rapid growth across the state,” said Mark Kristen, CEO of Kristen Distributing Co. “It’s crucial for us to partner with brands that hold on to those values that have made our country great, so forming this partnership was a natural move for us.”
Launched in 2024, Merica Beer is the latest addition to the Famous Brands exceptional spirits and beverages family that embodies freedom, unity, and independence as envisioned by Founder and former Force Recon Marine Derek Sisson. Made proudly in San Antonio by one of the finest brewmasters in the US, Merica Beer is crafted from high-quality ingredients and is known for its crisp, refreshing taste, available to beer enthusiasts at a cost-friendly price point. Merica Beer is known for its iconic red, white, and blue branding and is the country’s most patriotic beer. The launch of Merica Beer is a further demonstration of the company’s thirst for growth and is poised to become available at popular retailers nationwide. To learn more about Merica Beer, please visit our website.
TailGate Brewery Growth gives a distro update, partners with Lipman Brothers
TailGate Brewery, Tennessee’s fastest-growing brewery and pizzeria, recently reported double-digit growth for this year. In 2024, the Nashville-based independent craft brewery opened its ninth taproom, its sixth new taproom in two years, expanded its distribution portfolio, and earned a Top Workplace award.
“Our team is growing and so are we,” says Wesley Keegan, founder and owner of TailGate Brewery. “Tennessee’s craft landscape is evolving and as a leader of that, we’re proud to be not only a great place to work but a great place for the community to gather and enjoy our favorite pairing: pizza and beer.”
From German Reinheitsgebot-inspired lagers to heavily fruited sours and IPAs, TailGate Brewery offers something to please everyone. The success of Lager Projekt, the brewery’s lineup of crisp and clean lagers that launched in 2022, has led to a 200 percent increase in lagering capacity. Additionally, the introduction of Wizards’ Order, a new rotating IPA series available both at TailGate’s nine taprooms and at retail across Tennessee, and the expansion of their core lineup reflect TailGate’s commitment to variety and quality.
The brewery’s non-alcoholic tea brand, Nashville Sweet Tea, is entering its fourth year with the launch of two new flavors in 2024: Lemonade and Sunshine Tea. TailGate Brewery is also responding to increasing market demand by launching distribution of its locally crafted seltzer and expanding its production of limited-release seltzers, ensuring a variety of craft options that everyone can enjoy.
TailGate Brewery partnered with Lipman Brothers, a new distributor, in 2024 to maximize its continued growth. “We’re getting more and more calls for our beer and this partnership allows us to expand our points of distribution, including the number of draft handle placements around town and increase our presence with national retail partners like Kroger, Walmart, Publix, and more,” Keegan adds.
TailGate Brewery also launched 19.2-oz cans in 2024, a new format that caters to the growing single-serve and large-format beer category. This move opens new retail channels, including venues, gas stations, and convenience stores across Tennessee.
To support its deepening distribution footprint and expanded taprooms, TailGate Brewery has made significant investments in equipment and production capacity, increasing its cellar capacity by over 70 percent. Investments have also been made in packaging tools for 19.2-oz cans, lab equipment and warehousing tools, including forklifts and new instrumentation. The brewery plans to expand its production facility this year, with construction to complete in mid- to late-2024.
Founded in 2014, TailGate Brewery has opened six taprooms in the past two years, each focusing on made-from-scratch pizza and craft beer. Following the recent opening of its ninth taproom in Murfreesboro, Tenn., TailGate Brewery has been named a Top Workplace for the second consecutive year.
“We’re honored to again be named a Top Workplace,” said Keegan. “It’s important to us to create a unique culture in the industry, with great benefits and a growing team culture for our more than 200 team members.”
Lawson’s Finest Liquids expands to North Carolina, enters first new market in 5 years
Lawson’s Finest Liquids is bringing its Sunshine-lineup to North Carolina in partnership with Artisan Beverage Group, growing its distribution footprint outside of the Northeast and bringing its signature brews to fans across the state for the first time. Lawson’s Finest Liquids will launch in North Carolina with fan favorite, lupulin laden brews in cans, including Sip of Sunshine IPA, Little Sip IPA, and Hazy Rays Hazy IPA. All Lawson’s Finest brews are “Cold Stored. Cold Shipped. Cold Shelved.” from the time they are packaged to maintain freshness and quality.
- Sip of Sunshine IPA (8% ABV) — Hello, Yellow! Lawson’s Finest’s flagship IPA comes in iconic yellow cans packed with juicy tropical fruit character, bright floral aromas, and delectable layers of hop flavor.
- Little Sip IPA (6.2% ABV) — Little Sip is the little cousin to Sip of Sunshine IPA. This brew brings a juicy, fruit-forward character layered with tropical hop flavors and bright floral aromas.
- Hazy Rays Hazy IPA (5.3% ABV) — This juicy and hazy IPA is soft on the palate with a tropical hop medley of tangerine, clementine, and mandarin oranges.
- Scrag Mountain Pils (4.8% ABV) — Inspired by the traditional Czech Pilsner style, Scrag Mountain Pils is Lawson’s Finest’s house lager, a tribute to the brewery’s local water source deep below Waitsfield, Vt.’s Scrag Mountain.
“Our presence on the East Coast is growing beyond our current footprint for the first time in 5 years. We’ve been viewing the Southeast region as our next opportunity to expand distribution, and, with a partner in Artisan, we are looking forward to our new presence in North Carolina,” said Seth Talmon, Lawson’s Finest’s vice president of sales and distribution. “Artisan’s 100 percent cold supply chain aligns with our commitment to providing the freshest, finest brews to beer lovers everywhere we distribute. Their small, family ownership model and attention to quality make them a great partner for us.”
Lawson’s Finest Liquids works to cultivate healthy, vibrant communities through its Social Impact Program, raising more than $2 Million for important causes since 2018. The brewery is a values-driven B Corp Certified business with a commitment to excellence, authenticity, community, sustainability, and fun. Its purpose-driven team is made up of 53 percent women and non-binary folks, breaking industry standards and increasing accessibility.
“Expanding our geographical footprint has two major impacts on our business and our team: we are adding new growth opportunities, to reach new audiences and introduce our Sunshine family to more craft beer lovers, and as we grow we also grow our impact,” said Adeline Druart, CEO of Lawson’s Finest. “As a proud B Corp Certified brewery, every major business expansion is meaningful for us and for the communities that receive donations from our Social Impact Program.”
For more information on Lawson’s Finest Liquids and its lineup of craft beers, visit lawsonsfinest.com. In addition to North Carolina, Lawson’s Finest also currently distributes across Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island.
Chinese brand Snow Beer will be distributed by Manhattan Beer Distributors in metro New York
Manhattan Beer Distributors recently announced a strategic partnership with Ever Grand Group to distribute Snow Beer, which is the most popular beers in the world. Founded in 1933 in Shenyang, China, SNOW Beer has a rich history and a reputation for excellence. Since 2005, Snow has been the best-selling beer in China and has held the title of the world’s No.1 selling beer since 2008. With 62 breweries producing its unbeatable taste, SNOW Beer has become a global favorite.
The first product to be distributed under this partnership is Brave the World — a pale lager brand and one of the most successful beers in China since its inception in 2005. The essence of Brave the World aligns with the core philosophy of Manhattan Beer Distributors, which is centered on hard work and dedication. This partnership is built on a foundation of shared values and commitment. As Simon Bergson (Founder and CEO of Manhattan Beer Distributors) believes, “If you love what you do and you work hard at it, you’ll be successful.”
A representative from Ever Grand stated, “Our mission is to ensure every consumer enjoys authentic beer with ease. With Manhattan Beer Distributors’ strong distribution capabilities, we are confident that SNOW Beer will become a beloved brand in New York.”
Consumers in the Metro New York area can look forward to an increased presence of Snow Beer through various sampling events, beer and food festivals, and pop-up events that resonate with the spirit of Brave the World. This initiative aims to introduce SNOW Beer as not just a beverage, but a lifestyle choice that embodies free spirit and boundary-breaking.
“We can’t wait to see how the market reacts to our products,” said a spokesperson from Ever Grand Group. “We’ve received thousands of positive reviews from consumers who have enjoyed our products at events, in restaurants, bars, or at home. We are excited to bring this unique beer to even more people.”
Manhattan Beer Distributors and Ever Grand Group are committed to bringing the best of Snow Beer to consumers, offering unique and memorable experiences. The introduction of Brave the World is just the beginning of a fruitful partnership, promising to enrich the beer landscape of Metro New York with exceptional products and events.
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