Napa, CA —Napa Smith Brewery and TOMP Beer, Wine & Spirits announced today that they will partner to bring Napa Smith beer to the vibrant Swedish market. TOMP will start by launching the Napa Smith craft beer portfolio and in particular their award winning Organic IPA, which will be featured in 100+ Systembolaget stores beginning in April.
J. Smoke Wallin, Chairman & CEO of Napa Smith Brewery & Winery, said, “We have a focused growth strategy with very few international targets — Sweden is one of these. So I am delighted to be partnering with Tommy Olsson and his team at TOMP to launch our brands there. TOMP is hugely respected and the perfect partner for us in what is a tough market to crack. I look forwards to a successful launch of Napa Smith’s beers and a long and fruitful relationship. We could not be more thrilled.”
Napa Smith brews a portfolio of award-winning beers in Napa, California. Its portfolio is available in 30 states in the US with plans to be available nationally by early 2012. Sweden will be the first international market. Napa Smith is proud to number Whole Foods, Safeway, Beverages & More, Total Wine, Publix and now Sweden’s Systembolaget amongst its many retail partners.
“We first tasted Napa Smith’s beers 2 years ago and we were convinced that they would be a great addition to our portfolio. So winning the tender and setting launch dates is very exciting for us. Organic products are very important to the monopoly and the Napa Smith Organic IPA is utterly amazing,” said Tommy Olsson, Managing Director of TOMP Beer Wine & Spirits.
“Winning the recent IPA tender into Systembolaget is further testament to the genius of our Master Brewer, Don Barkley, coming as it does on the back of our huge success at the Great American Beer Festival. IPA is the hottest segment of the US craft beer category, but many IPA’s lack complexity and balance. This is proof that it is possible to brew a benchmark IPA that is drinkable and food-friendly,” said Steve Morgan, President of Napa Smith Brewery and Winery. He continued, “In addition our beer is certified organic, which makes this achievement even more noteworthy. I am confident that Sweden’s exciting craft brewing scene will take Napa Smith to heart.”
About Napa Smith Brewery:
Napa Smith Brewery is located at the southern gateway to Napa Valley, just south of the town of Napa. Napa Valley is internationally known as a destination for those individuals who seek the best that life has to offer. Napa Smith is proud to contribute to the Napa tradition of hard work, craftsmanship, and artistry with the introduction of its unique family of beers. It creates its beers using proprietary recipes developed by Master Brewer Don Barkley — the most experienced brewer in the craft brewing industry. Come visit us at our newly opened Brewpub in Napa or on the web at www.napasmithbrewery.com
About TOMP Beer, Wine & Spirits:
TOMP is one of Sweden’s leading beer, wine and spirits importers with a portfolio that includes brands such as [yellow tail], Fish Hoek, Chang Beer and their own successful beer, Guldkallan. TOMP operates a national sales force from it base in Orebro. See www.tomp.se .