Founders Lands in Oregon and Idaho
After expanding distribution to Washington in January, Founders Brewing today announced plans to begin selling its beer throughout Oregon and Idaho this month.
The Michigan-based craft brewery, which inked agreements with the Great Artisan Beverage network of wholesalers, will launch in Portland, Ore., this week via General Distributors.
“Founders is arguably the most anticipated brewery launch that Portland has seen in years,” General Distributors COO Steve “Tiny” Irwin said via a release.
Bigfoot Beverage and Summit Distributing will sell Founders’ products throughout the central and southern parts of the state, the company added.
Launch events in Idaho, where Founders has partnered with Odom Corporation and Craig Stein Beverage, are also planned for February 15 – 17.
Founders first announced plans to broaden its distribution footprint throughout the Pacific Northwest last November. Its products are currently sold in 42 states as well as Washington D.C.
Sweetwater Taps Arkansas Craft Alliance
Sweetwater today announced plans to expand distribution to Arkansas, signing an agreement with a pair of wholesalers that jointly make up the “Arkansas Craft Alliance.”
Beginning March 6, Arkansas Craft Distributors and O’Connor Distributing will sell the Atlanta-based brewery’s beers, including 420 Extra Pale Ale and Goin’ Coastal IPA, throughout the state.
“For the Arkansas Craft Alliance, bringing SweetWater to Arkansas is the culmination of years of preparation. We are honored that our friends at SweetWater are partnering with us. The people of Arkansas know SweetWater, and we look forward to fans finally raising 420 Extra Pale Ales all over the state, beginning on March 6,” said Trav Baxter, a partner of Arkansas Craft Distributors.
Daytona Beach Brewing Company Hits Central Florida
Daytona Beach Brewing Company last week announced plans to expand into central Florida, signing with Wayne Densch, Inc.
The Sanford, Florida-based wholesaler will distributed draft versions of the brewery’s Halifax Hefeweizen, Road Course Red Ale, Some Beach Brown Ale, Beach Nut Chocolate and Coconut Stout, according to a press release.
New Belgium Announces 2016 Distributors of the Year Awards
New Belgium Brewing recently named three wholesalers — Skyland Distributing of Asheville, North Carolina, RMC Distributing Co. of Colorado Springs, Colorado and New Hampshire and Scheppers of Jefferson City, Missouri — as its national distributors of the year.
The awards are given to partners who go “above and beyond in the areas of market plan execution, new beer launches and quality assurance,” the company said in a press release.
“We had a solid year in 2016, selling 958,000 barrels to finish up 4.8% for the year in a hyper competitive landscape and much of the credit goes to the strength and execution of our,” Michael Corrigan, the company’s vice president of sales said via the release.
Odom Corporation, Fun Beverage Inc., Andrews Distributing (North Texas) and I.H. Caffey Distributing were also named “regional winners.”