With some 6,000 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!
Yuengling is now available in Arkansas, soon Kentucky
D.G. Yuengling and Son Inc., America’s oldest, still-operating brewery, is bringing its brands to consumers on draft at bars, restaurants and other on-premise accounts across Arkansas starting today. Yuengling Brewery is a fifth generation, American-owned and family-operated company that started in Pottsville, Pa., in 1829.
Arkansas is the 21st state to distribute Yuengling products and it will roll out with its three core brands:
- Yuengling Traditional Lager: a rich amber lager with well-balanced taste and distinct character, this flagship beer delivers the quality and taste that rivals any craft beer today at an above premium price
- Yuengling Light Lager: a 99-calorie offering with the full-bodied, gratifying flavor akin to the flagship Traditional Lager;
- Yuengling Black and Tan: a satisfyingly smooth blend of dark-brewed Porter and a regional favorite, Premium beer.
Yuengling will partner with five wholesalers to distribute Yuengling brands to consumers in Arkansas: Glazer’s Beer and Beverage; Premium Brands of NWA; Arkansas Distributing Co.; O’Connor Distributing; and Burford Distributing Inc.
Yuengling announced two state rollouts for 2018. Kentucky will become the 22nd state in the brewery’s footprint later this spring. Yuengling previously rolled out distribution in Indiana, its 20th state in March 2017.
Odell Brewing goes west — to Nevada — with Breakthru Beverage
Colorado’s Odell Brewing Co. has partnered with Breakthru Beverage to bring its family of award winning beers to Nevada. Distribution includes both draft and package available throughout the entire state starting in February. The brewery’s launch in Nevada marks its 16th state and continues to strengthen its Western and Rocky Mountain regional footprint.
“Nevada is a state on the rise, and they have a culture all their own,” explained Ryan Bogart, regional sales manager. “With a growing population and economy, it’s made up of so much more than the strip. We knew it was the right place for us to bring our family of brands.”
Distribution for Nevada is being handled by long-standing partner, Breakthru Beverage. After a strong launch of Illinois in 2017, and a long history of success in its home state of Colorado, Breakthru Beverage will help Odell Brewing open Nevada with a number of special events across the state.
“We’ve had a phenomenal friendship with Odell Brewing throughout the years, and we are thrilled to expand that relationship into our Nevada market,” said Kevin Roberts, EVP of supplier relations at Breakthru Beverage. “Odell is now the 28th largest craft brewery in the country, and thanks to the brewery’s dedication to innovation and quality, their beers continue to be amongst the most requested in the marketplace. Most of all, they are just great people to do business with.”
Odell Brewing is bringing cans and draft of its flagship 90 Shilling, the highly acclaimed Odell IPA, Drumroll APA, Rupture Fresh Grind Ale, along with seasonal offerings like Tree Shaker Peach IPA and Wolf Picker Pale Ale. Nevada residents can also look forward to finding single 12-ounce bottles of the brewery’s specialty Cellar Series beers, starting with Friek, a Raspberry and Cherry Sour Ale and Bull Proof Bourbon Barrel Stout.
Ghostfish Brewing and Night Shift Distributing partner for Massachusetts sales
Night Shift Distributing and Ghostfish Brewing Co. are teaming up to ensure Ghostfish products will be hitting Massachusetts shelves and taps. Founded in 2015, the Seattle-based brewery is the first and only gluten-free brewery in Washington. Ghostfish started off with a bang, winning both the gold and bronze medals in the Gluten-Free Beer category at the 2015 Great American Beer Festival. Since then, beers like their Grapefruit IPA and Meteor Shower Blonde Ale have continued to bring home awards.
Rob Burns, CEO of Night Shift Distributing, finds a familiar ethos in the story that Ghostfish’s three founders are building: “What I love about the beer industry is passionate folks who go above and beyond to create the best possible products. Ghostfish has taken their personal desire for quality gluten-free beer and made it an obsession. They source ingredients from a handful of gluten-free malt houses, and are solely dedicated to gluten-free beer production. You can taste that passion and dedication in the fantastic product that just so happens to be gluten-free.”
Massachusetts will be only the second state outside of the Pacific Northwest to see Ghostfish Brewing cans on the shelf. Brian Thiel, co-owner and director of marketing and sales for Ghostfish, emphasized the value of finding the right partner to help his company enter this new market:
“We are proud to partner with Night Shift Distributing to bring our award-winning brews to the beer lovers of Massachusetts. With this new relationship we are confident we have placed our brand in the capable hands of people who share the same passion as we do for pushing the boundaries of craft beer.”
Four-packs of a variety of Ghostfish’s offerings will be available in stores starting mid-February. Beer drinkers in the Bay State can look forward to trying Grapefruit IPA, Meteor Shower Blonde Ale, and Shrouded Summit Belgian White Ale at the outset.
Toppling Goliath launches distribution in Massachusetts and Rhode Island starting Feb. 23
Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. and Atlantic Beverage Distributors recently announced the partnership for exclusive distribution of the Toppling Goliath portfolio in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Starting February 23, the Toppling Goliath core brands will be available in limited quantities to top off-premise accounts — Dorothy’s New World Lager, Pseudo Sue Pale Ale, Golden Nugget IPA, Pompeii IPA and King Sue Double IPA. Special events will be announced with top on-premise accounts starting Friday, Feb. 23. All of these releases will be made available in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. was founded in beautiful Decorah, Iowa, in 2009 as a homebrew operation, in less than a decade it now holds the title for “Second-best Brewery in the World” and “No. 1 Beer in the World” by Ratebeer.com and brews seven of the top 100 beers in the world according to BeerAdvocate. Shining in the categories of hop forward IPAs and bold barrel-aged stouts, TG has over 35 beers in its ever-growing catalog and delights in experimenting with new ingredients and styles.
When asked about this new partnership, Toppling Goliath President Clark Lewey said: “We couldn’t be more excited to be expanding into the Massachusetts and Rhode Island markets, the landscape and people are dear to our hearts and after years of requests from east coast customers we can’t wait to get them the beer they love. Making this debut with Atlantic Beverage is a perfect fit for us due to their wonderful knowledge of craft beer and craft customers.”
Toppling Goliath now distributes into 12 states and has just finished construction of a 100-barrel brewery and two-story taproom in Decorah.
Hi-Wire Brewing launches distribution in Kentucky
Hi-Wire Brewing launched distribution into the entire state of Kentucky this past weekend with roll-out events scheduled through February 22 in Louisville and Lexington. Hi-Wire will be launching Kentucky with their entire portfolio, including year-round, seasonal, specialty and sour beers. For distribution, Hi-Wire has partnered with Dauntless Distributing, a carefully curated craft and import beer wholesaler based out of Louisville for statewide coverage.
“Hi-Wire has mastered the balancing act of offering great value and high quality with their diverse lineup of ales and lagers,” noted Michael Minton, owner of Dauntless Distributing. “They’ve also invited the inquisitive imbiber to their side show of sour ales and barrel aged beers. This dynamism allows them to appeal to the ever-growing-wider spectrum of drinkers in Kentucky without compromising their precise yet evolving point-of-view. Dauntless is extremely excited to introduce Hi-Wire to the Bluegrass State for the above reasons and how they jive with their dedication to strong, transparent, and communicative relationships with wholesalers. True partnerships are imperative in today’s craft beer universe. Hi-Wire and Dauntless share a mutual understanding and respect for this fact.”
Launching Kentucky will help Hi-Wire Brewing reach its goal of increasing distribution sales by 56 percent in 2018. To celebrate, craft beer drinkers alike will be able to join the owners and sales team of Hi-Wire Brewing at a variety of tap takeovers, beer pairings and other specialty events throughout each market over the next two weeks. Here’s a sampling of the events:
Tuesday, February 20
- Liquor Barn Hamburg Tasting | Lexington
- Tap Takeover @ Arcadium | Lexington
- Wednesday, February 21
- Liquor Barn Middletown | Louisville
- Tap Takeover @ Hilltop Tavern | Louisville
Thursday, February 22
- Flying Dutchman Liquors | Louisville
- Wine + Market | Lexington
- Nachbar | Louisville
- Best Friend Bar | Lexington
Voodoo Brewery announces distribution in Florida
Voodoo Brewery announced expanded distribution plans, partnering with Cavalier Distributing as their distributor the state of Florida. Beginning the week of March 5, Cavalier will distribute draft and package versions of Voodoo’s flagship beers including Hoodoo IPA, Voodoo Love Child Belgian-Style Ale, White Magick of the Sun White Ale, Wyonna’s Big Brown Ale, and Variety 12-packs, as well as seasonal and limited releases as they are available to Tampa and south Florida.
Prior to the launch, Voodoo’s beers will be featured at Jacksonville’s Riverside Craft Beer Fest on February 24. Launch events will take place the week of March 5 and will include:
- Tuesday, March 6 at the Brewhouse Gallery — Lake Park
- Wednesday, March 7 at Angry Chair Brewery, featuring an Angry Chair and Voodoo collaboration — Tampa
- Thursday, March 8 at Willard’s Tap House — Largo
- Friday, March 9 at The Mermaid Tavern — Tampa
Launch events are subject to change. For details, visit cavbeer.com/events.
“Voodoo Brewing Co. is happy to announce our partnership for Florida distribution with our partners at Cavalier,” said Matteo (Matthew) Rachocki, Voodoo CEO. “Together, we will bring our quality products to a wider customer base for the first time ever in the Florida market. Cavalier’s attention to detail and care for our products, will ensure every customer receives the freshest product we have available,”
“I first met Matteo and the Voodoo crew at Cigar City Brewing’s Hunahpu’s Day in 2017. We developed a great rapport, and both knew we wanted to work together. I am extremely excited to bring Voodoo’s amazing beers to Florida,” said Cavalier’s Sales Development Manager Carolyn Graham.
Goodwood Brewing Partners with Georgia Crown Distributing Co. for Distribution in Georgia
Louisville-based production brewery Goodwood Brewing Co. recently announced a partnership with Georgia Crown Distributing Co. thus expanding their distribution footprint into Georgia in with a focus on statewide distribution. Both parties are excited to bring Goodwood’s unique barrel-aged and wood-touched beers to new and existing fans throughout the Peach State.
“Georgia Crown looks forward to the introduction of Goodwood products into the Georgia market and continuing the successful launch of Goodwood products in the southeast,” said Georgia Crown Director of Trade Marketing — Beer Glenn Ver Steeg. “The brands fit a unique target consumer with relevant styles, and there is significant upside volume opportunities for these types of products.”
Goodwood Brewing attributes its Southern states’ success to its traditional southern roots as well as its ties with the bourbon culture.
“We are thrilled to add Georgia to our distribution footprint,” said CEO Ted Mizlaff. “We’ve done really well as a company in the Southern states. I think it’s a natural fit as they have continued to embrace a sip of the south and Kentucky’s bourbon roots. All of our beer is brewed with limestone water and touched by wood — just like bourbon. We always say what’s good for bourbon is great for beer.”
Georgia Crown will be offering three products from Goodwood’s year-round portfolio: Bourbon Barrel Stout, available in 12-ounce bottles and draught; Louisville Lager, available in 12-ounce cans and draught; and Walnut Brown Ale, available in 12-ounce cans and draught. Goodwood beers are currently available in 10 states: Kentucky, Indiana, Alabama, Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, West Virginia, Missouri, Oklahoma and now Georgia.
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