With more than 5,500 breweries operating across the country, 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!
No-Li Brewhouse to pause Oregon shipments by August 1
No-Li Brewhouse announced an allocation plan this week to serve its thirsty customers. No-Li’s loyal fans are buying up the brewery’s beer as swiftly as the company is able to brew and package it, and the allocation plan is focused to fulfill a steady flow of fresh No-Li craft bottles, cans and draft, and also tries to take care of all accounts and customers in all communities that the brewery has the opportunity to serve.
The demand pushed the brewery to create an allocation plan that focuses its distribution to the state of Washington and parts of Idaho.
“We had to make a tough and gut-wrenching decision to adjust the allocation plan to better serve Spokane and communities closer to home,” says No-Li founder and owner John Bryant.
“We want to thank all the beer enthusiasts who enjoy and support No-Li so much that we’ve been sold out of beer. It made us pause and appreciate the communities across the Pacific Northwest that support No-Li, community and the craft beer movement.”
No-Li will pause shipments into the Oregon market by August 1. This doesn’t mean, however, that the brewery won’t return at some point.
“We want to make sure that we provide a consistent supply of hand-crafted batches and brews to every customer,” says Bryant. “In short, we are very thankful and continue to pursue the hometown vision and cause of a craft beer culture and economy. It’s hard to leave Oregon — we know there are a lot of No-Li fans down there, too — and we want to come back when we can. We spent a lot of time and energy learning and being a part of the Oregon communities.”
No-Li’s period of growth has allowed it to provide more than 60 living-wage jobs in the Spokane area, while also engaging in charitable outreach in the community, often reaching out and lending a direct supportive hand to the under served.
Cincy’s MadTree Brewing brings beer, trees to Louisville
MadTree Brewing Co. is coming to Louisville on Monday, August 7, to take root in the community by sharing their beers and planting trees to help battle the urban heat island problem. The brewery, known for their PyscHOPathy IPA and Lift Kölsch, is partnering with local non-profit, TreesLouisville, to plant more trees downtown. MadTree will host a series of launch events at local bars, restaurants, and retailers to introduce their beers and raise money and awareness for TreesLouisville. Launch event details are available here.
MadTree was founded and continues to grow on the notion that beer builds community and community builds beer. “Creating high quality beer is the number one priority for the brewery. However, supporting and being an active member of the community is a close second,” said MadTree Brewing Co-Founder, Brady Duncan. “Helping combat the urban heat island in Louisville immediately spoke to us and we knew we wanted to get involved in a big way.”
TreesLouisville was launched by Mayor Greg Fischer in March 2015 in partnership with Henry Heuser, Jr. in response to findings that Louisville has been rapidly losing tree canopy cover over the last decade. The purpose of TreesLouisville is to create public awareness of the tree canopy deficit and to build the necessary support and capacity in the broader community to reach a goal of 45 percent canopy cover over the next few decades.
“MadTree’s support is just one example of the many partners coming together in the community to help achieve our tree canopy goals,” said TreesLouisville Executive Director, Cindi Sullivan.
Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, MadTree has rapidly captured the attention of craft beer fans and community supporters alike in their four years of existence. MadTree is recognized for their laser focus on quality craft beer that is brewed to create unique, new flavor profiles. The brewery is also applauded for fulfilling a mission to be a strong partner in the communities that they serve.
Residents of Louisville, Jefferson county, and beyond will find their core lineup of beers including PsycHOPathy IPA, Happy Amber, Lift, and PSA, as well as their seasonal, limited, Chef Series, and Trunk and Funk Series beers at bars, restaurants, and retailers. MadTree beers are distributed by Beer House of Kentucky.
European craft brewer Riegele debuts in Massachusetts
The 2017 German Beer of the Year is now available in bottle and draught in New England. Riegele (pronounced Rig-ula), one of the most decorated craft breweries in Europe, is now available throughout Massachusetts.
Through its U.S. importer, Luxe Brands, Riegele has signed an agreement with Massachusetts Beverage Alliance (MBA) for statewide distribution. Riegele will initially be selling its award winning Festbier-Privat; Weizendoppelbock; Augustus 8, named 2016 German Beer of the Year; and its gold medal winning Imperial Helles-Ator. Seasonal beers, such as Dunkel, Doppelbock Dunkel, Herren Pils and Bavarian Ale, will be available on a limited basis.
Established in 2011, the Massachusetts Beverage Alliance provides brewers of all sizes a flexible distribution option committed to quality and freshness in the competitive Massachusetts beer market. Through a like-minded alliance of five long standing family owned distributors, MBA offers statewide sales distribution and customer support to over 10,000 customers across the Commonwealth.
Riegele is under the direction of World Champion Beer Sommelier and 28th generation brewer, Sebastian Priller-Riegele, who believes that the fine art of brewing needs only three main ingredients: passion, dedication, and knowledge.
The German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture recently named Riegele 2017 German Brewery of the Year, bestowing the “Bundesehrenpreis” award for outstanding achievements in the DLG Quality Test for Beer. One of only a dozen German breweries to receive the honor, Riegele received 22 gold medals and one silver medal; these followed closely on the heels of recognition at the Meiningers International Craft Beer Award in May, in which Riegele was named International Craft Brewer of the Year with 17 medals; four platinum, four gold and nine silver.
The brewery won a dozen medals at last year’s Meiningers International Craft Beer Award, and its Riegele Augustus 8 was named the 2016 German Craft Beer of the Year. The brewery has also been voted as Europe’s Best Brewery at the European Beer Star and 2016 World Cup of Beer; named 2015 German Craft Brewery of the Year; won the prestigious DLG National Prize an unprecedented nine times in a row; and had its Commerzienrat Riegele Privat proclaimed 2010 German Beer of the Decade.
Lord Hobo Brewing enters Florida with Cavalier Distributing
Lord Hobo Brewing Co. has announced plans to increase their distribution footprint with expansion into Florida. Lord Hobo, who recently celebrated its second anniversary, grew nearly 415 percent in 2016 and the company is on track to produce 30,000 bbls in 2017; Florida will play a large role in that growth. Lord Hobo has partnered with Cavalier Distributing for state-wide distribution in the Sunshine State.
“Lord Hobo is thrilled to be uniting with a forward-thinking distributor, such as Cavalier,” says Lord Hobo Brewing’s Director of Sales, Andrew Bousquet, “their customer service and dedication to an all-craft portfolio positions Lord Hobo for success in the Florida market. A second home for many Bostonians, including our beloved Red Sox, Florida felt like the right next market for our beers.”
“I’ve been incredibly impressed with both the people and the liquid at Lord Hobo Brewing, and am excited to bring their style-defining New England beers to the Florida market,” said Cavalier Distributing State Sales Manager Ben Eberly. Three of Lord Hobo’s beloved offerings, including their flagship Boomsauce IPA, Hobo Life Session IPA and Consolation Prize Imperial IPA will be available across the state of Florida in both draft and can offerings with rollout events scheduled the first week of August.
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