Exemplifying its “slow and steady” motto when it comes to growth, the distribution footprint of Odell Brewing Co. has come to encompass only 10 markets, including its home base in Colorado, over the past 24 years.
Now two years removed from its last distribution expansion, Odell is ready to enter Texas, per an agreement with Ben E. Keith Co. A statewide draft launch is set for March 2014, and a package launch is currently slated for April.
A statewide roll out in the “everything is bigger here” state, however, would not have been possible without a recent brewery expansion, according to Odell. A new brewhouse and added fermentation vessels brought the brewery’s production capacity to 250,000 barrels.
The brewery is planning a series of launch events in Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Houston and more.
The full press release is below:
Fort Collins, CO — In March, 2014 the Odell Brewing backyard will get a little bigger with the addition of Texas, the 11th state in the brewery’s distribution footprint. Odell Brewing has partnered with Ben E. Keith Company, and will begin a statewide launch with draft in March, followed by a package launch in April.
“We are very excited about our upcoming launch into Texas with Ben E. Keith,” said brewery founder/owner, Doug Odell. “Their track record and integrity is second to none, and we look forward to a great partnership.”
Odell Brewing selected partner Ben E. Keith, in part because of their statewide distribution, which will enable the brewery to enter the entire state reaching the majority of craft consumers that have been asking for Odell Brewing beers for some time. The brewery plans to bring brands Odell IPA, 90 Shilling, Seasonal Offerings including St. Lupulin, Four Pack offerings such as Myrcenary, as well as the limited release Cellar Series offerings.
Launching a state the size of Texas would not have been possible prior to the brewery’s recently completed expansion. This will be the first new market for Odell Brewing in over two years. The new brewhouse and additional fermentation vessels will provide the brewery much needed capacity to accommodate the Texas demand.
“There has been a long connection with Colorado and Texas,” said Odell Brewing Director of Sales and Marketing, Eric Smith, “and it is great to finally have our beers available in the Lone Star State, so our neighbors can capture some of the Colorado flavor.”
Odell Brewing is planning a week full of launch events in Austin, San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas. More launch week details to come on the brewery’s website and Facebook page.
About Ben E. Keith Beverages:
Ben E. Keith Company, established in 1906, began selling Anheuser-Busch products in 1933. Today, Ben E. Keith Company’s Beverage division is the third largest independent beer wholesaler in the country. The company also distributes import beers, craft beers, wine products and nonalcoholic beverages. With fourteen Sales & Distribution Centers in Texas including Abilene, Austin, Brownwood, Commerce, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Ft. Worth, Houston, Kerrville, Llano, Palestine, San Antonio, and Waco, the company operates throughout the state of Texas. For more information, please visit www.BenEKeith.com/beverage.
About Odell Brewing:
Founded in 1989, Odell Brewing was started by Doug Odell, his wife Wynne, and his sister Corkie. Twenty-four years later, the culture of family and collaboration still thrives fostering a brewery full of beer-centric people. It is this passion for beer that inspires Odell Brewing to create quality, hand-crafted, innovative brews. As a regional craft brewery, Odell Brewing is committed to serving the communities in which it distributes by minimizing its environmental impact, sourcing local raw materials, and through its charitable giving program known as Odell Outreach. Odell Brewing was named a “Best Company to Work For” in 2013 by ColoradoBiz Magazine and is an award winning brewery, nationally and internationally: 2013 Great American Beer Festival┬« – gold medal for 5 Barrel Pale Ale, 2012 Brewers Association Recognition Award, 2011 Great American Beer Festival┬« – gold medal for Friek, 2008 World Beer Cup┬« — gold for IPA. 2007 Great American Beer Festival┬« — gold medal for IPA.