Allagash Brewing Company is going statewide in Illinois. The Portland, Maine-headquartered craft brewery will expand beyond its existing nine-county footprint around Chicago to the rest of the state via Market Selections.
“Chicago has been a key metropolitan market for us for quite some time now, but we know that Illinois is a huge state with a vibrant beer community,” Allagash founder Rob Tod said in a press release. “We’re glad that Allagash can now reach more people in Illinois far and wide.”
Allagash has distributed its beer in Chicago for around two decades. The company has been with Market Selections since 2004.
“The expansion was an easy decision to make and is a win for everyone,” Allagash sales director Naomi Neville added.
In Illinois, Allagash will offer year-round staples Allagash White, Hop Reach IPA, Tripel, and Curieux, in addition to specialty releases.
Allagash’s beer is distributed in 19 states and Washington, D.C.
The company reported dollar sales growth of +6.2% in 2022, driven by flagship Allagash White. Overall sales of the beer increased 10% (through October 9), with draft sales up +18% and 12-pack sales +23%.
Wiseacre Brewing Adds Virginia
Memphis, Tennessee-based Wiseacre Brewing has added statewide distribution in Virginia via Specialty Beverage.
Wiseacre’s three year-round offerings — Ananda IPA, Gotta Get Up to Get Down Coffee Milk Stout, and Tiny Bomb Pilsner — along with season and specialty releases will be sold in Total Wine and More stores and craft beer retailers across the state.
Virginia is the 19th state in Wiseacre’s footprint, and the fifth state the company has added in the last year along with Missouri, Indiana, Texas and Arizona. The brewery will take part in several Virginia launch events this week. Follow the link for more details.
Wiseacre noted that Tiny Bomb is now the No. 4 craft pilsner in the U.S., with growth driven by the addition of a production facility in downtown Memphis in 2020 that “quintupled the brewery’s previous capacity.” The addition of that facility allowed the company to package in 12, 16 and 19.2 oz. cans and add 6-, 4-, 12-packs, plus variety pack and single-serve can capabilities.
Other recent notable distribution moves include:
- Connecticut-headquartered Two Roads Brewing moved its Colorado distribution business to Eagle Rock Distributing (Anheuser-Busch house), moving from Crooked Stave Artisans.
- Massachusetts-based Castle Island has launched distribution in New Hampshire via Amoskeag Beverages (Molson Coors house).
- Non-alcoholic beer maker Surreal Brewing has added distribution in Ohio via Heidelberg Distributing Company.
- Portland, Oregon’s Migration Brewing is moving into Idaho with Scout Distribution.