Founders Expands Distribution in Kansas
Michigan’s Founders Brewing Co. will expand distribution throughout northeastern Kansas beginning in April, the company announced Tuesday.
Founders, which has distributed throughout the greater Kansas City area since 2013, has partnered with Crown Distributors for coverage between Salina and Topeka.
“When we made the decision to get into craft beer years ago, Founders was at the top of our list and we are thrilled to now call them partners,” Crown Distributors co-owner and president Mark Ritter said in a press release.
Shipments of Founders’ year-round, seasonal and special releases in bottles, cans and kegs will begin arriving in the area in March, the company said.
Earlier this year, Founders, known for its flagship All Day IPA and barrel-aged specialty release KBS, added distribution throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Mike Hess Brewing Enters Colorado
San Diego-based Mike Hess Brewing today announced statewide distribution in Colorado via popular craft and import beer wholesaler Elite Brands.
Elite Brands will begin distributing the San Diego-based brewery’s products statewide — including the 2014 World Beer Cup gold award-winner Habitus Double IPA, Grapefruit Solis IPA, Grazias Vienna Cream Ale — starting this month, the company said in a press release. The beers will be available on draft and in “Open Mike” cans with removable tops.
“I first fell in love with craft beer when I was a student at CU, 30 years ago,” brewery founder Mike Hess, a 1990 alumni of the University of Colorado, said in a press release. “Now we’re coming full circle, bringing it back to where it all began — it’s awesome.”
Last year, Mike Hess Brewing expanded distribution throughout Northern California and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Two Roads Brewing Extends Footprint to Western New York
Two Roads Brewing Company is partnering with Remarkable Liquids for distribution throughout western New York, the company announced via a press release on Tuesday.
Remarkable already handles distribution for the Stratford, Connecticut-based brewery in the eastern part of the Empire State.
“We are delighted to be expanding our partnership with Remarkable Liquids, who bring to the table great customer service and tremendous craft beer experience and knowledge,” Two Roads Director of Sales Meghan Zachry said in a press release. “Having had a lot of requests from retailers and consumers for our quality portfolio we are excited to now get underway with distribution to the craft beer community in Western New York.”
In November, Two Roads Brewing Company announced a $12 million expansion project for a 25,000 sq. ft. brewery and barrel-aging facility adjacent to its existing facility. The new facility could eventually push the company’s capacity to 25,000 barrels annually.
Urban Chestnut Strikes Distribution Deal with Major Brands
Urban Chestnut Brewing Co. will stop self-distributing in its home market of St. Louis next month after signing a contract with Major Brands, according to the St. Louis Business Journal.
Urban Chestnut has an existing relationship with Major Brands, which serves as the brewery’s wholesale partner in Kansas City and St. Charles in Missouri.
Hi-Wire Brewing Launches in Ohio
Asheville, North Carolina’s Hi-Wire Brewing has launched statewide distribution in Ohio.
The brewery announced last week that it had partnered with Premium Beverage Supply to send its entire portfolio of year-round, seasonal, specialty and sour beers to the Buckeye State.
Hi-Wire, which is hoping to increase sales by 60 percent, noted that Ohio is one of three new markets it plans to enter this year.
“Ohio is a top-five craft beer state, and its beer drinkers have more commonly been making Asheville a must-visit location,” Hi-Wire Brewing co-owner Chris Frosaker said on the company’s website. “We are honored to be able to ‘export Asheville’ to these amazing beer markets.”
Coppertail Brewing Moves into Northeast Florida
Tampa’s Coppertail Brewing Company is expanding its reach to Northeast Florida through Champion Brands, according to the Jacksonville Business Journal.
The move will put the Ybor City brewery’s four core beers, along with seasonal releases, into Duval, Clay, Nassau, St. Johns, Putnam and Baker counties, the outlet reported.
Coppertail’s core lineup includes Unholy Trippel, Night Swim porter, Free Dive IPA and Wheat Stroke ale.
Blue Blaze Brewing Starts Canning, Moves into South Carolina
Charlotte’s Blue Blaze Brewing is partnering with Comer Distributing Co. and the Yahnis Company to distribute cans of its beer in South Carolina, according to the Charlotte Observer.
The company will begin working with Land of Sky Mobile Canning to can its beer, starting with Yellow Blazer Kölsch and Black Blaze Milk Stout, for release in its taproom as well as liquor stores in the Carolinas. The beer will be available in four-packs of 16 oz. cans.
Comer Distributing will reportedly move Blue Blaze’s beer from Fort Mill south to Columbia. Yahnis will be responsible for the east out to Myrtle Beach, the outlet reported.
Wildcard Brewery Expands to Southern Oregon
Wildcard Brewery is moving into southern Oregon, according to KRCR TV. The Redding, California-headquartered brewery is partnering with Summit Beverage Distributing and will reportedly serve Jackson, Josephine, Klamath and Lake Counties.
Wildcard reportedly produces about 2,500 barrels annually and expects to brew about 3,000 barrels this year.
Brewery co-founder Jenny Hansen told KRCR that her company’s beer is available on draft in restaurants, but Wildcard plans to add six-packs of Northstate IPA later this year.