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!
Urban South Brewery adds Tennessee to distribution footprint
Urban South Brewery, the largest craft brewery in New Orleans, recently announced that it is expanding its distribution footprint into Tennessee. Through a partnership with Best Brands, a selection of Urban South brews will be available in bars, restaurants and stores throughout the state beginning this month.
“Expanding our distribution footprint is a priority for Urban South in 2021 as we work to keep up with demand from our regional fans,” said Kyle Huling, Co-Founder of Urban South Brewery. “We started our distribution growth by branching into northern Louisiana and Mississippi, and are grateful for our partners at Best Brands for helping us add Tennessee to the list. Our goal is to brew innovative and high quality beer while embodying the traditions and values of the South, and Tennessee is a great addition to our network.”
The following Urban South beer varieties will be available in the Tennessee market, with an emphasis on Knoxville, Memphis and Nashville:
- Paradise Park American Lager – an affordable and easy-drinking lager for the everyday beer drinker. Available on draft, in 6-packs and 15-packs.
- Holy Roller IPA – Urban South’s flagship bold, hazy IPA. Available on draft and in 6-packs. The juicer Grapefruit Holy Roller will also be available on draft and in 4-packs.
- Lime Cucumber Gose – An unfiltered, kettle soured wheat beer with kosher salt, house pressed cucumber juice and lime. Available on draft and in 6-packs.
- Paradise Park 100 – A low-calorie, snappy lager featuring flaked rice and pale malt. Available in 15-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-ounce cans of Lime Cucumber, Rocket Pop and Raspberry Limeade. Lime Cucumber and Rocket Pop will also be available in individual 6-packs.
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. The brewery strives to embody the values and traditions of the Urban South while brewing the South’s most respected beer.
Dust Bowl expands into SoCal with Coast Beverage
Dust Bowl Brewing Co. expands its Southern California distribution with the addition of Coast Beverage to its wholesaler network. Based in San Diego, Coast Beverage will service San Diego and Imperial Counties, and parts of Riverside County. The distributor specializes in craft beers, FMBs, non-alcoholic beverages and snack foods.
Coast Beverage will focus on Dust Bowl’s year-round leaders, including Therapist Imperial IPA, Confused Therapist Hazy Imperial IPA, Peace, Love & Haze Hazy IPA, Hops of Wrath IPA, Tomorrow’s Clear West Coast IPA, Taco Truck Lager and some occasional limited releases. Consumers can expect to see Dust Bowl on shelves in the new territory in April.
“We’re excited to expand our footprint of distribution in Southern California, especially in a region known for its huge craft beer fan base,” comments Marc Jalbert, Director of Sales and Marketing, Dust Bowl Brewing Co. “The addition of Coast Beverage essentially fills out California for us, which has been a goal for Dust Bowl. As the state opens back up, the timing could not be more ideal. We’re eager to work with Coast Beverage who has a proven track record of building independent craft brands in new markets.”
“As we looked to expand our craft beer portfolio in a very competitive market, we were careful to choose a brand that captured our same passion for quality and customer service,” shares Alex Michail, General Manager, Coast Beverage. “Dust Bowl Brewing Co. has a great story behind the brand and its packaging. We’re confident on- and off-premise customers will embrace the opportunity to add Dust Bowl to their portfolios. It’s a fun brand with a lot of traction.”
Your next read? Maybe our Sober Up series of investigative reports. Check this out. “Sober Up: The nascent Michigan hop industry won’t survive without your help.”
Memphis’ Wiseacre Brewing gets full-time distro in Colorado with CSA Distributing
Wiseacre Brewing Co. is set to become a mainstay in the Colorado beer market with the help of CSA Distributing. The conversation about the budding partnership began back in 2020 and Wiseacre will officially launch full-time distribution in the Colorado beer market March 8, 2021 bringing Tiny Bomb, Ananda, Gotta Get Up to Get Down, Bow Echo Hazy IPA, and variety packs.
“Some industry friends of ours’ response has been ‘Colorado. You’re going into the Lion’s Den, huh?’” said Wiseacre Founder Kellan Bartosch. “Yes, Colorado is certainly one of the best beer markets in the world and from that perspective it is an absolute honor to have an opportunity through CSA to sell there at all. At the same time, that thought doesn’t intimidate us because we’ll take the Pepsi Challenge with anyone, especially when it comes to pilsner. We have a cheat code so to speak in Memphis with the softest water in the country and most similar water profile to Pilsen, Czech Republic, where the style originated. This has allowed our Pilsner Tiny Bomb to become the best-selling Tennessee made craft beer and the No. 9 selling craft pilsner in the country even though we are only sold in 15 states,”
There is no denying that Coloradoans take their craft beer seriously. Breweries are becoming as common as Starbucks and standing out in the market is a challenge, but Wiseacre is ready for that challenge. They have perfected their brews and have collected medals from The Great American Beer Festival, The World Beer Cup and the Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beer.
CSA General Manager, Alan Stone stated, “One of the bright spots in an incredibly challenging year [2020] for CSA was kicking off the conversation with Kellan at Wiseacre. Our strong supplier partnerships are the foundation of our business, and from day one, we felt another great partnership brewing. In a craft beer market dominated by IPAs, the buzz around Tiny Bomb is refreshing, and CSA is proud to add Tiny Bomb and the rest of the Wiseacre lineup to our portfolio. We couldn’t be more excited to introduce Wiseacre Brewing Co. and their passion for quality craft beer to the Rocky Mountains.”
Illinois’ Buffalo Creek Brewing expands to Chicago with Louis Glunz Beer Inc.
Despite the pandemic, Buffalo Creek Brewing in historic downtown Long Grove experienced a stunning growth surge over the last year and has signed with Louis Glunz Beer Inc. to expand it distribution into Chicago and beyond in 2021.
Since opening three years ago, the Bavarian-themed brewery and taproom helmed by owner/brew master Mike Marr has become a Lake County destination, renowned for its authentic German-style beer and atmosphere. During COVID-19, while others shuttered or scaled-back operations, Buffalo Creek Brewery invested mightily in its signature biergarten, implemented curbside pickup, and broke sales records.
“Over the last year we’ve had to ramp up operations efforts to meet the unprecedented demand,” said Mike, who produced 20 percent more beer in 2020 than 2019 despite being shut down for three months because of COVID. “With our scaled-up production system in place, we’re ready to expand and become a big brewery. I’m excited to have a partner like Glunz who’s focused on the craft beer industry to help make Buffalo Creek Brewing a household name.”
Previously, Buffalo Creek Brewing was using its equipment basically half-way with 15-bbl fermenter output. With the increase in territory distribution, Mike will be doing 30-bbl batches and essentially doubling production. He anticipates not only bigger yields, but better quality beer as well. As Mike puts it, increasing the size and scale enables him to be a “much more efficient brewer.”
Buffalo Creek Brewing beer is now being distributed to alcohol retailers across Lake, McHenry, Cook, DuPage, Kane, DeKalb, Kendall, and Will counties — with plans to expand in the future. Consumers can expect to see their three signature beers typically on sale: Marrvelous (German Kölsch), Farmer’s Illegit Daughter (Farmhouse Saison), and Muttersholtz (German Wheat) — as well as some other specialties.
Karbach Brewing’s Ranch Water distribution expands to eight new states
For the first time since the brewery’s founding in 2011, Houston-based Karbach Brewing Co. is expanding distribution outside of the South with its fan-favorite, Karbach Ranch Water Hard Seltzer. Currently available throughout the state of Texas, Karbach’s Ranch Water will expand distribution to Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Colorado, and Tennessee this spring.
The distribution expansion comes on the heels of Ranch Water’s highly successful launch in January 2021. Crafted in Texas after the iconic bar staple, Karbach’s Ranch Water is the perfect blend of hard seltzer, lime, and agave and clocks in at 4.5 percent ABV, 90 calories, and 1g carbs.
To inspire sampling of their new product line and offer consumers various options, Karbach also released the Ranch Water variety pack in early March in the state of Texas. The 12-pack includes the Original Karbach Ranch Water, along with three thirst-quenching new flavors: Prickly Pear, Meyer Lemon, and Watermelon.
“We are beyond excited to expand Ranch Water outside of our current footprint. The hard seltzer market has grown tremendously over the last few years, and when we released our Ranch Water in January 2021, we were pleasantly surprised to see how well our audience responded to it,” said David Graham, Marketing Director at Karbach Brewing Co. “We’re incredibly proud of our brewing team and what they’ve done with our Ranch Water Hard Seltzer and are excited to bring a little taste of Texas to consumers across the country.”
Starting on March 8th, consumers 21 years and older can find Karbach Ranch Water Hard Seltzer at participating retailers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. In April, Ranch Water will hit shelves in Arizona, California, Colorado, and Tennessee.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.