GORHAM & LEWISTON, Maine — Local Maine companies Nappi Distributors and Central Distributors are pleased to announce they have recently signed an agreement to begin distributing Portland-based Lone Pine Brewing Company beer sometime around the beginning of 2018.
Lone Pine announced this week their agreement to purchase Sebago Brewing Co.’s current 13,000-square-foot installed brewery in Gorham. The additional brewing equipment, packaging and warehouse space included in the sale will quadruple the size of the young brewery from 5-barrel to 20-barrel capacity. Sebago will move its operations to a new brewing space in Gorham which is scheduled to open in mid-February.
Lone Pine, which started brewing at its Anderson Street location in March 2016, is already brewing its well-known Portland Pale Ale at the new location. Co-owners Tom Madden and John Paul will keep the tasting room location in Portland open and plan to enhance the draft list there, using the location as more experimental space.
“As a currently self-distributed brewery who services over 240 accounts, finding our Maine distribution partners was one of the most important decisions we’ve had to make,” said Paul. “We’re extremely confident in both Nappi and Central’s ability to represent and elevate our brand throughout the State. Their unwavering commitment to service and strong relationships in the industry will ensure this is a seamless transition as we scale.”
Nappi Distributors, of Gorham, will service the southern part of the state, including Cumberland and York Counties. Central’s distribution territory will encompass areas north, including Topsham, Lewiston, Oxford, Augusta, Bangor and Presque Isle.
“Lone Pine is a very special brewery located here in Portland that understands the balance necessary for crafting unique beers with the need to maintain high quality,” said Nappi Distributors’ President Frank Nappi, Jr. “Our entire team at Nappi is thrilled to join Lone Pine Brewing Company as partners to realize the incredible growth potential that their brand has. We look forward to bringing Lone Pine’s quality crafted beers throughout Southern Maine for all to enjoy.”
“Tom and John and their team have a great passion for brewing and for their brand,” said Central President Mike Barriault. “Their expertise and love for what they do shows in every beer they make and we’re excited to help bring that to the central, mid-coast, and northern territories of the state.”
About Lone Pine Brewing Company
Lone Pine Brewing Company is a Portland based brewery focusing on American ales and small batch specialty beers that feature unique, local ingredients. Founded in 2016, Lone Pine currently operates its production and tasting room facilities on Anderson Street in the East Bayside neighborhood of Portland. Lone Pine is one of the fastest growing breweries in Maine, having increased from 400 bbls per year in 2016 to a projected 6,500 bbls in 2018. Learn more at www.lonepinebrewery.com.
About Nappi Distributors
Nappi Distributors is a family owned, independent beer and wine distributor serving Southern Maine for over three generations. Nappi’s 200+ dedicated employees provide quality distribution and customer care from their state of the art warehousing facility located in Gorham, Maine. For additional information about Nappi Distributors, please visit www.nappidistributors.com.
About Central Distributors
Central Distributors is a 4th generation, family owned, independent beer and wine distributor servicing retail licensees in the entire state of Maine. Central employs more than 150 Maine people between its warehouse operations in Lewiston and Aroostook Beverage Co. in Presque Isle. In 2017, Central acquired Aroostook Beverage Co. and has continued to operate it as a branch location in the northern most territory of the state. Central is a full-service sales and delivery company that works collaboratively with brewery partners to grow their brands in Maine. For additional information about Central, visit www.centraldistributors.com.