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!
Yuengling enters Texas with Molson Coors
The Yuengling Co. LLC, a joint venture between D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc. and Molson Coors Beverage Co., recently announced its new wholesaler partners selected to sell Yuengling’s portfolio of beer brands in Texas.
This announcement marks the next step in the brewery’s westward expansion as it brings its brands to Texas for the first time. The Yuengling Co. will widen the reach of D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc.’s sought after brands beyond its current 22-state East Coast footprint, providing access to the brewery’s portfolio to millions of beer fans in the Lone Star state. Consumers in Texas can expect The Yuengling Co. to begin rolling out its beers to bars, restaurants and retail locations in early fall 2021.
The distributors selected to represent The Yuengling Co,’s portfolio in Texas include:
- Andrews Distributing
- Capitol Wright
- Faust Distributing Co.
- Fisher 59
- Frio Distributing
- GG Distributing Co.
- Giglio Distributing
- Glazers Beer and Beverage
- Great Plains
- Houston Distributing Co.
- Keg 1 O’Neal LLC
- Kristen Distributing Co.
- Reed Beverage
- Southern Laredo
“We are thrilled to be bringing Yuengling beer to Texas as part of our new venture and could not be more grateful to partner with such an amazing group of passionate distributors,” said Wendy Yuengling, chief administrative officer and sixth generation family member, D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc. and Chair of The Yuengling Company’s board of managers. “We’re working through the details of our launch plans and anticipate that our beer will be available in select stores across the state by early fall.”
“This team of Texas distributors will play a crucial role as the Yuengling legacy continues on into Texas,” said Pat Pikunas, general manager, The Yuengling Co. “Through their hard work, beer drinkers in Texas will soon be able to enjoy Yuengling beers in their favorite bars, restaurants, and stores across the entire state.”
Yuengling’s beers will be brewed locally by Texans at the Molson Coors Ft. Worth brewery. The Yuengling Co. will oversee expansion into Texas and any other western markets, outside of Yuengling’s existing 22-state footprint plus any future New England Expansion.
Trejo’s Cerveza is now available statewide in California
Actor and humanitarian Danny Trejo recently announced the statewide launch of his Mexican style lager, Trejo’s Cerveza. Prior to this expansion, Trejo’s Cerveza was only available in the Los Angeles area through retailers including Bevmo, Whole Foods, Ralphs and Total Wine.
Trejo’s Cerveza is a crisp, Mexican style lager that represents El Jefe and LA culture. With its bold and distinctive taste, it is designed to pair with food but is also great when enjoyed on its own or in a michelada. Per Trejo and Burbank’s Lincoln Beer Co., the hops have been dialed back to make the beer smoother and less bitter than most Mexican style lagers.
“I’m excited to share the taste of Trejo’s Cerveza with Californians everywhere,” said Trejo. “We’ve been working on increasing our production capacity, and it’s been enjoyed all over LA. But the time has come, and we’re ready for so many more people to give it a try.”
With its distinct black and gold packaging, Trejo’s Cerveza is distributed across California by Wine Warehouse in 16-oz. four-pack cans. It is also available in Arizona by Arizona Beer & Cider.
New Orleans’ Urban South Brewery launches distro in Alabama
Urban South Brewery, the largest craft brewery in New Orleans, recently announced that it will begin distributing a selection of its beers in Alabama this month. Through a partnership with Budweiser-Busch, a variety of Urban South brews will be available in bars, restaurants and stores throughout the Alabama Gulf Coast region.
“Expanding our distribution footprint has been a key focus for Urban South this year,” said Kyle Huling, cofounder of Urban South Brewery. “So far we’ve added northern Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee to the list, and we are grateful for our partners at Budweiser-Busch for helping us launch in this new market. Our goal is to brew innovative, high quality beer while embodying the traditions and values of the South, and Alabama fits perfectly into this vision.”
Urban South beer varieties that will be offered in the Alabama market include:
- Holy Roller IPA — Urban South’s flagship bold, hazy IPA. Available on draft and in six-packs.
- Paradise Park American Lager — An affordable and easy-drinking lager for the everyday beer drinker. Available on draft, in six-packs and 15-packs.
- Lime Cucumber Gose — An unfiltered, kettle soured wheat beer with kosher salt, house pressed cucumber juice and lime. Available on draft and in six-packs.
- Rocket Pop Gose — Blue raspberry, cherry and lime come together for a tart and sweet fruited sour gose paying homage to the nostalgic summertime treat. Rocket Pop Gose is Urban South’s summer seasonal beer and will be available on draft and in six-packs.
- Paradise Park Hard Seltzer — Hard seltzers from Urban South’s newest line are gluten-free, under 100 calories, and feature real fruit with no added sugars. Variety 12-packs will be available featuring four 12-oz. cans of Lime Cucumber, Rocket Pop and Raspberry Limeade.
Urban South Brewery combines the heritage of European beer making with the brashness of new American styles, with the mission to inspire community and fellowship through the gospel of good beer. Founded in 2016, Urban South has deep roots in Louisiana and a new satellite location in Texas.
To find out where Urban South beers are sold in your area, visit: UrbanSouthBrewery.com/about/beer-finder.
Anderson Valley Brewing announces Vermont distributor partner Beer Shepard
Anderson Valley Brewing Co. (AVBC) recently announced its new distribution partnership with Vermont’s Beer Shepard. This strategic partnership with the state’s top craft beer distributor will increase the presence of AVBC throughout Vermont.
“Beer Shepard’s commitment to representing independent craft brewers, along with being a fellow family owned and operated business made them an ideal partnership for Anderson Valley Brewing Company,” said President and CEO Kevin McGee. “Lead by an impressively seasoned team who understand the pillars of the craft beer industry, Beer Shepard’s representation will be instrumental in consumer awareness for Anderson Valley Brewing Company in Vermont.”
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Beer Shepard will represent AVBC’s entire portfolio of brands, including its iconic Boont Amber Ale, Barrel Series beers, Poleeko Pale Ale and Goses. Beer Shepard’s representation for the brewery will span the entire state, making AVBC’s beers readily accessible in top retail accounts throughout Vermont.
“We are excited to release the first Anderson Valley Brewing Company kegs in Vermont, said Will Ewald, sales operation manager at Beer Shepard. “AVBC’s world class goses and sour ales are highlighted in our next shipment coming just in time for warm weather and summer drinking. We can’t wait to drink this AVBC beer.”
Denver’s Seedstock Brewery to begin self distribution and beyond of its Eastern European-style beers
Seedstock Brewery (3610 W Colfax Ave.) will begin distributing canned six-packs of two of its flagship beers, the Czech Pilsner and Bohemian Dunkel, thanks to its new canning line. The canning line was installed in late April, allowing six-packs to be sold directly from the brewery starting April 24. Seedstock Brewery hopes to begin distribution at local liquor stores starting in May.
“The market had been asking for cans from us for a couple of years now, and, coupled with the need to diversify taproom sales due to COVID-19, we felt now was the right time to invest in a canning system,” said Seedstock Owner Ron Abbott. “We love the small footprint of the canning line we’re getting from a company that is also based here in Colorado. It seemed to be a great first step solution into the distribution market.”
Seedstock Brewery invested in a local canning line, Wild Goose Filling’s Gosling, an automated entry-level craft beverage canning line.
Seedstock will eventually release four-packs of cans as well. The company is eying local liquor stores around Denver.
“The style of beers we brew are perfect for cans — they’re highly approachable, back-to-basic beers that are made to be drank outside in the Colorado sunshine,” said Abbott.
Seedstock Brewery also recently installed a Fillmore bottling system. For its fifth anniversary in April, the brewery released a two-pack of 22-oz. bombers: Trippin’ with Grandma, an aged Belgian, and Grandpa’s Pipe, a never-before-released smoked beer.
Crystal Coast Brewing to expand to the Wilmington area
Crystal Coast Brewing Co. of Morehead City, N.C., and Atlantic Craft Beer and Specialty Wine Distributors of Lower Currituck, N.C., announced an expansion of their distribution partnership that will bring Crystal Coast’s award-winning craft beer to many areas in southeastern North Carolina. The partnership will allow Atlantic to distribute all of Crystal Coast’s styles in kegs and cans to many cities and counties, including Wilmington, Carolina Beach, New Bern and Jacksonville. Atlantic currently distributes Crystal Coast in the Outer Banks and Northeastern North Carolina.
Crystal Coast Brewing is a family-owned microbrewery located in Morehead City with a taproom in Atlantic Beach, N.C. Opening in 2017, the brewery produces a variety of styles, including many IPAs, lagers and sours, using high quality ingredients. Over the past four years, the brewery has won seven medals at the Carolinas Championship of Beer and has been awarded multiple medals at the North Carolina Brewer’s Cup.
Crystal Coast currently distributes its beer across North Carolina, including in Charlotte, Raleigh and Durham, in addition to Virginia and DC.
“We are really thrilled for this opportunity to grow and expand our brand even further with Atlantic,” said Matt Poppe, co-owner and director of legal and compliance for Crystal Coast Brewing. “Will and everyone on their team does an amazing job and we are looking forward to the level of care and expertise that they bring. It’s an exciting step for us and we’ve got some stellar beers on the way.”
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Beginning in 2017, Atlantic provides the Outer Banks, Northeastern North Carolina, and the southern North Carolina coast with a wholesale source to showcase North Carolina and Virginia’s independent craft breweries and hand-selected wines. They currently have nine other North Carolina breweries and four Virginia breweries in their portfolio. The company is owned and operated by Will Daughtry, who brings over a decade of experience in the industry including time with large, statewide distributors.
“As a family-owned business, we jumped at the opportunity to work with a likeminded brewery like Crystal Coast,” said Daughtry. “I’m proud to be able to share such quality beer with this part of the state.”
Atlantic expects the first Crystal Coast kegs and cases to hit the market in mid-May, with a large variety of styles being available.
Tyler says
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