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!
Sun King Brewery of Indianapolis announces partnership with Cavalier Distributing of Florida
Beginning in July, Cavalier Distributing will distribute package and draft versions of seasonal and specialty beers along with two of Sun King Brewery’s core beers, including SKB IPA, brewed with American hops for a long-lasting flavor; Pachanga, a Mexican-style lager; and Osiris Pale Ale, an assertive West Coast-style with a distinct citrus hop punch in draft only.
“Since our inception, Sun King has been working hard to keep up with the growing demand for our beer,” said Clay Robinson, co-owner of Sun King Brewery. “Over the past year, we’ve been increasing our distribution footprint throughout the Midwest, and this spring, we sent some beer down to Florida for a festival that we participate in every year. The response to our beer was overwhelming, so we decided that the Sunshine State would be a good fit for Sun King. Our VP of Sales Joe Burns spent nearly 20 years working for a beer distributor and a brewery in Florida before joining our team, so we have the perfect person to champion our efforts in the market and work with our new partner, Cavalier Distributing.”
Cigar City Brewing expands Northeast and Mid-Atlantic distribution
Cigar City Brewing Co.’s rapid growth continues in 2018 with the addition of multiple markets in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Cigar City Brewing has partnered with several wholesalers in the Sheehan Family Companies network to distribute its portfolio in Maryland, Massachusetts and Upstate New York. Kegs and 12-oz cans of award-winning beers, including world-renowned Jai Alai IPA and Guayabera Citra Pale Ale, will be available in these markets beginning this month.
While the five boroughs of New York City, Long Island and the Hudson Valley have enjoyed Cigar City Brewing’s offerings for several years, Cigar City Brewing’s membership in the CANarchy Craft Beer Collective has recently allowed it to grow and meet the demands of an evolving craft beer market in the US. Consequently, and thanks to new partnerships with Craft Beer Guild of New York, Tri-Valley Beverage and T.J. Sheehan Distributing, Cigar City Brewing’s beers will now be available across the northern portion of the Empire State.
In Massachusetts, Seaboard Products Co., L. Knife & Son and Craft Beer Guild Distributing of Massachusetts will deliver Cigar City Brewing in every county of the state. Finally, Rosedale’s Legends Distributing has signed on as Cigar City Brewing’s wholesale partner for the entirety of Maryland.
“It’s been a long time coming but we’re thrilled to bring our Florida-inspired beers to some of our favorite areas of the Mid-Atlantic and New England,” said Cigar City Brewing’s El Lector Neil Callaghan. “We’ve been lucky enough to spread the gospel of Florida brewing in pockets of the region for years, but now with the help of the Sheehan Family Companies’ network, we’re able to bring Florida flavor to Baltimore, Boston and Binghamton — 12 ounces at a time!”
Market launch events will take place throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic in May and June with representatives from Cigar City Brewing travelling from Tampa to celebrate. Events will feature additional Cigar City Brewing beers and will foster opportunities for craft beer fans to learn about the brewery’s history and its internationally acclaimed beer from the people who know it best.
Bavarian craft brewer Riegele signs on with Sarene Craft Beer for New Jersey distribution
Brauhaus Riegele, a 632-year-old, family-owned Bavarian craft brewery, has signed on with Sarene Craft Beer for distribution throughout the state of New Jersey. Six of the brewery’s products will be made available: Privat, Augustus, Herren Pils, Dunkel, Kellerbier and Michaeli.
“We have an excellent partnership with Sarene, who helped introduce Rigele to the U.S. with the brewery’s New York launch in 2016,” explained David Klass, president of Luxe Brands, Riegele’s North American importer of record. “Sarene carefully curates exceptional craft beers for its portfolio, and we have been extremely pleased with the company’s dedication to the craft culture and its careful attention to the brands it represents.”
Founded in 1386, Riegele is acknowledged as one of Germany’s leading breweries in respect to quality and beer culture. It is located in Augsburg, in the heart of Bavaria, where roughly 30 different kinds of craft beers are brewed. Riegele is one of the most awarded breweries in Europe; just this month, at the 2018 Meiningers International Craft Beer Award, the brewery was named Craft Brewer of the Year for the second year in a row; the brewery also took home a dozen medals from the same competition, including a platinum for its Hefe Weisse, which was named Best Weizen. Earlier this year, Riegele was awarded the coveted 2018 Brewery of the Year from The German Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
Sarene, which launched in 2013, is a highly respected craft beer distributor on the East Coast that’s renowned for being incredibly selective about the brands it represents. Founded by two brothers — Matt and Eric Schulman — the company focuses on quality over quantity, bringing in products that will appeal to discerning craft beer consumers.
Riegele is imported by Luxe Brands and is currently being distributed by Sarene Craft Beer in New York and New Jersey; Cavalier Distributing in Ohio and Indiana; Massachusetts Beverage Alliance in Massachusetts; Imperial Beverage in Michigan; Microman in Florida; Shangy’s in Pennsylvania; Lipman Brothers in Tennessee; and is available in Kentucky.
Goodwood Brewing partners with Republic National for distribution in Florida
Louisville-based Goodwood Brewing Co. has expanded its distribution footprint into Florida. Goodwood is partnering with Republic National Distributing Co. and will be providing statewide distribution. Both parties are excited to bring Goodwood’s barrel-aged and wood-touched beers to new and existing fans in the Sunshine State. Keep a look out for Goodwood Brewing launch events at local Florida establishments.
Goodwood Brewing attributes its success in Southern states to its ties to bourbon culture and southern tradition.
“We are extremely excited to launch the Florida with Republic National. Florida is a wonderful mix of local residents, transplants and vacationers and has a thriving craft beer scene. Our portfolio spectrum will appeal to all segments, ranging from session beach and boat beers to high gravity brews for the serious craft beer lover. Republic’s merger with Breakthru makes them an ideal partner as we are with Breakthru in a number of other states” said CEO, Ted Mitzlaff.
Republic National will be bringing in eight products from Goodwood’s portfolio: Bourbon Barrel Stout, available in 12-oz bottles; Brandy Barrel Honey Ale, available in 12-oz bottles, draught; Bourbon Barrel Ale, available in 12-oz bottles; Louisville Lager, available in 12-oz cans; Walnut Brown Ale, available in 12-oz cans, draught; Hemp Gose, available in 12-oz cans; Spruce Tip IPA, available in 12-oz cans, draught; American Pale Ale, available in 12-oz cans.
Sweeten Creek Brewing begins canning and expands distribution
Young and thriving Asheville, N.C.-based craft brewery Sweeten Creek Brewing is gearing up for a big summer with the launch of its first 12-oz cans and increased North Carolina distribution through a new partnership with Empire Distributors.
The two-year old brewery saw a substantial increase in demand following a brewhouse expansion in 2017, which opened the door for a relationship with the well-established distributor. The partnership will increase local distribution, leading to an expanded footprint in western North Carolina by the end of the year.
“We are very excited about our partnership with Empire Distributors and the relationship we are building with their team,” said Sweeten Creek co-owner, Erica Justice. “We feel that bringing a distributor into our brewery family is one of the most important decisions a young company can make for the future of the brand. We feel very confident that we have chosen the best partner possible to help us grow and reach new customers.”
To add to the excitement, Sweeten Creek’s first canned beers will roll down the line and into retail locations across Western North Carolina. The lineup includes three flagship styles and four seasonals. The first to be released will be the brewery’s top seller, Sweeten Creek Pilsner, followed by Session IPA and Pale Ale.
“This is a big step and I think it will open up a lot of opportunity for us,” said Sweeten Creek co-owner and head brewer, Joey Justice. “With last year’s brewhouse expansion and recent market growth in part to Empire, the timing is perfect. Our approach to brewing has always focused on clean, quality beers and I think our can design really reflects that. We chose styles we want to be drinking by the creek, at a picnic table, with friends and family.”
Sweeten Creek Pilsner six-packs are currently available for purchase on-site with Session IPA and Pale Ale six-packs to be released in the next few weeks. All flagship styles will hit store shelves by early summer.
Maine Beer Co. partners with Cavalier Distributing, now available in Indiana
Maine Beer Co. of Freeport, Maine, is expanding into Indiana with distributing partner Cavalier Distributing. Maine Beer Co.’s IPAs and other styles are now available for limited distribution throughout the state. Maine Beer Co. will be offering Peeper Pale Ale and Woods & Waters IPA on draft in Indiana.
Peeper Pale Ale (5.5 percent ABV) is the first beer that Maine brewed, beginning in 2009 on a one-barrel system. It has notes of light citrus, raspberry and blackberry with subtle pine and light breadiness attributes.
Woods & Waters IPA was originally brewed to commemorate the establishment of the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and features Maine-grown barley and wheat, and generous amounts hops featuring flavors and aromas reminiscent of the outdoors.
Lunch IPA and MO Pale Ale will be available in package. Lunch IPA, with notes of tropical and citrus fruit, pine, and subtle malt sweetness, is one of the most sought-after and highly rated beers. It was named after a finback whale spotted off the coast of Maine that looked like she had a bite out of her dorsal fin.
MO Pale Ale (6 percent ABV) is a pale ale with notes of citrus, passion fruit, pine and slight malt sweetness.
Schilling Beer Co. expands distribution to New Hampshire
The team at Vacationland Distributors LLC. recently announced the signing of Schilling Beer Co. and Resilience from Littleton, N.H. This is the first New Hampshire brand to be represented by Vacationland Distributors’ recent New Hampshire expansion, and the owners of both operations are thrilled with this new partnership.
Jeff Cozzens, CEO/Co-Founder of Schilling and Resilience said: “Distributing our beers at all is a tough concept for us because we like to be in total control of the liquids that Head Brewer John Lenzini and his team produce. There is so much passion, thought and toil that goes into every Schilling Beer Co. and Resilience beer that it’s challenging for us to entrust its care and handling to others. While we work with superb distributors in Vermont, Massachusetts and Michigan, it’s taken us five years to find a truly independent craft-only New Hampshire distributor who shares our values and total commitment to quality. That search has ended with Vacationland, and we’re proud to partner with them.”
“Besides Vacationland’s evident commitment to handling great beer with care — something we’ve already experienced first-hand working with them in Maine — we really enjoy working with them as people. While we take our beer very seriously, we’re doing something wrong if we aren’t also enjoying the ride. We have kindred spirits atVacationland and love the jibber-jabber with these guys. They’re hard-working people but they keep it real,” said Stuart Cozzens, Schilling and Resilience Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer.
Solemn Oath Brewery expands distribution in Massachusetts
Solemn Oath Brewery is expanding in the Massachusetts market with its unique portfolio of beers. The Illinois-based brewer debuted with Night Shift Distributing in late 2017 and will be furthering their can and draft presence, including the debut of End All IPA.
“We have been humbled by the response to our beers across Massachusetts,” said John Barley, president of Solemn Oath Brewery. “We have made incredible friends and partners across the state and we’re thrilled for the next chapter.”
“We’re very excited to bring another outstanding beer from Solemn Oath to Massachusetts,” said Chief Operating Officer of Night Shift Distributing Jeff Glennon. “Our customers have given us really positive feedback on the other Solemn Oath products we distribute and we expect the same market response to End All IPA. It’s already a staff favorite at NSD.”
Solemn Oath Brewery makes craft beer in Naperville, Ill. They are driven by their passion for hop-driven, European-inspired, and barrel-aged beers. Solemn Oath Brewery is known well for packaging with a strong visual identity, driven by the illustrations of SOB Illustrator Jourdon Gullett, that match the creativity and quality that goes into the beer itself. Until now their presence in Massachusetts is a constantly revolving array of beers from their portfolio. A cloudburst of sunshine-colored tropical fruit haze, End All IPA will debut immediately in Massachusetts in draft and twelve-ounce six-pack cans and will be their first year-round available brand in the state.
Honor Brewing Co. adds distribution in San Diego
Brown Bag Beverage, one of the fastest growing craft beer distributors in the greater San Diego area, added another craft beer company to its distribution portfolio, Honor Brewing Co. from Chantilly, Va. Brown Bag Beverage will be distributing its craft beer throughout San Diego and L.A. counties. Initially offering six core beers, Honor Golden Ale, Honor India Pale Ale, Honor Maple Porter, Honor Cherry Wheat, Honor “Line of Sight” Lager and Honor “Desired Effects” Double IPA.
David Keuhner, partner, Honor Brewing stated: “Our goal at Honor is very simple. We honor those who serve our country while giving back. It’s not always about money — it’s about giving of oneself and understanding these men, women and their families have volunteered to serve our country. We look at craft beer as a way to raise a glass in their honor while celebrating their commitment, loyalty and courage for serving our country. It’s our way of saying ‘thank you’ and never forgetting. After talking to Susie from Brown Bag Beverage we knew she understood our goal to touch military families and beer drinkers alike in California and our partnership began at that time.”
Honor Brewing is paying tribute to fallen soldiers to guarantee they are never forgotten. Not only does Honor make quality craft beers, but also, they honor those who serve our country while giving back to charities for the fallen and injured. In the last 36 months, Honor has raised and donated over $225,000 to charities of the fallen and injured. As of April 9, 2018, Brown Bag Beverage will be distributing locally, honoring veterans and the fallen by either raising a glass of their special craft beer, dedicating a six pack with their tribute story or they honor them by placing custom dog tags in patented Tribute Tap in their memory at respective locations throughout the San Diego and L.A. areas.
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