Texas’ Del Papa Distributing today announced the creation of a new craft and specialty division to better capitalize on the “explosion” of craft beer.
In a statement, Del Papa said its own steady increase of craft volume – trending at 25 percent over the past four years – was the impetus for the creation 2-Row Distributing, which will launch selling national and local craft brands alike.
Jeffrey Wheeler, who has been with Del Papa since 2012, previously serving as a brand development manager and craft sales consultant, has been named the general manager of the newly created 2-Row.
Del Papa — which also sells products from the Anheuser-Busch InBev, Constellation Beer and Pabst Brewing, among others — will employ a separate, craft-focused sales force to manage brands in the 2-Row portfolio, Wheeler said.
“These salesmen, or Pint Jockeys as we call them, will provide focus and consultation in the marketplace around this exciting and continuously growing category,” he said.
Throughout its 17-county territory, 2-Row will carry national brands from the likes of Sierra Nevada, Firestone Walker, Rogue, and Southern Tier and from a number of local breweries including Saint Arnold, Karbach, Pedernales, Southern Star, and Rahr & Sons.