Cigar City Begins North Carolina Distribution
Cigar City is making its way up the eastern seaboard. The Florida-headquartered brewery announced Wednesday that it would begin shipping 12 oz. cans of its popular Jai Alai IPA and other brands to North Carolina.
Cigar City, which produced more than 65,000 barrels of beer last year, has partnered with several wholesalers for statewide distribution, among them, Skyland Distributing Co., United Beverages of North Carolina, R.H. Barringer Distributing Company, Long Beverage Inc., Carolina Distributing LLC, Healy Wholesale Co Inc., Atlantic Shores Distributors, Coastal Beverage Co. and City Beverage Co Inc. Those companies will begin offering cans of Jai Alai, Florida Cracker Belgian-style White Ale, Maduro Brown Ale, Invasion Pale Ale and Tampa-style Lager with draft beer coming later this year.
North Carolina is the eighth state where the popular Tampa Bay brewery’s beers are sold and just the second new state to receive its product in the last four years. Cigar City, which sold to Oskar Blues Holding Company last year, is also brewing some of its beer at Oskar Blues’ facility in Brevard, North Carolina. It also sells beer in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York and Tennessee.
Devils Backbone Enters Ohio
Devils Backbone Brewing Co. has stretched into Ohio. The Virginia-headquartered, Anheuser-Busch-owned brewery officially launched in Cincinnati last week, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
The company is reportedly adding six sales and marketing representatives throughout Ohio to support the brand.
“We’re really making the investment,” Devils Backbone public relations and communications coordinator Rebecca Holland told the outlet. “It’s an important state for craft beer.”
Devils Backbone entered Ohio with its flagship award-winning Vienna Lager along with Eight Point IPA and the Trailblazers line of beers.
Already this year, Devils Backbone has expanded distribution to Georgia, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey. The company’s beer is now sold in 10 states as well as Washington, D.C. The brewery is also reportedly seeding each of those markets with sales and marketing reps.
Boulevard Adds Wisconsin to Footprint
Kansas City’s Boulevard Brewing Company has added Wisconsin to its Midwestern footprint. The Duvel USA-owned brewery will begin distribution through Beechwood Sales & Service for statewide coverage beginning April 3.
“Wisconsin has been a goal for us for some time,” Bobby Dykstra, vice president of sales, said in a press release. “The state is well known for its legion of passionate beer lovers. We’re confident that Beechwood is the right partner, and we look forward to launching our brands throughout the state in the coming weeks.”
Boulevard plans to ship its popular Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale, Ginger Lemon Radler and Unfiltered Wheat Beer among other year-round, seasonal and limited releases.
Boulevard’s beer is now available in 38 states and Washington, D.C.
Rhinegeist Adds Pittsburgh Distribution
Earlier this month, fast-growing Cincinnati craft brewery Rhinegeist announced it would begin distribution to Pittsburgh and southwestern Pennsylvania.
Rhinegeist beer is now available on draft with 12 oz. six- and four-packs of cans coming in May through Frank Fuhrer Wholesale Company, according to a press release.
Mill Creek Brewing Moves into Alabama
Tennessee-based Mill Creek Brewing Co. has added its first out-of-state market: Alabama.
The company has signed with Budweiser Distributors for coverage in Huntsville, Birmingham, Shelby County, and Montgomery beginning in April, the Birmingham News reported. The brewery also plans to add coverage in Mobile/Gulf Shores in May and Auburn and Tuscaloosa in August.
Mill Creek will begin shipping its Landmark lager, Lil Darlin’ citrus wheat, Woodshed IPA and Silo farmhouse ale in 12 oz. cans and kegs next month.
Calusa Brewing Begins Distribution in Florida
Calusa Brewing has signed an agreement with Florida’s J.J. Taylor Distributing to sell its Dissonance Breakfast Brown Ale and Focus IPA to liquor stores, bars and restaurants in Sarasota and the surrounding counties, the Herald Tribune reported
“It is extremely exciting for us at J.J. Taylor to yet again be working with a local brewery that is so devoted to producing only the highest quality of craft beer,” Matt Abdoney, senior craft specialty brand and marketing manager, said in a press release. “Calusa’s passion and extreme attention to detail is without a doubt going to be a grand slam with local consumers and retailers alike.”
Prior to the deal, the brewery’s beer was only available in its Sarasota taproom.
Urban South Brewery Distributing to Baton Rouge
New Orleans’ Urban South Brewery has signed with Mockler Beverage Co. for distribution in Baton Rouge, according to the Greater Baton Rouge Business Report.
Urban South will offer its Holy Roller IPA, Charming Wit and Delta Momma Citra Lager on draft and in package.
Urban South reportedly plans to produce 2,950 barrels of beer by its 1-year anniversary on March 27.