Ninkasi Brewing today announced plans to further build out its presence on the East Coast by launching new distribution in Virginia and Maryland.
Beginning next month, the company’s beers, including Total Domination IPA and Oatis Oatmeal Stout, will be sold in the states by a pair of Sheehan Family wholesalers, namely Legends Limited Distributing in D.C. and Maryland and Specialty Beverage of Virginia. The company also partnered with Sheehan in New York, where it is making its full time east coast debut this month.
“This region has been a strong craft beer market out east for a long time, and it’s only getting stronger,” said Nikos Ridge, Ninkasi co-founder and CEO. “The opportunity to enter this craft-loving market with a great partner was a key influence on opening distribution full-time.”
This excursion east is but the latest in what has been a busy year for the company on the distribution front. On top of launching in New York, and now Virginia and Maryland, the company earlier this year launched new distribution in Texas and Utah. In January, Ninkasi also realigned its wholesale network in the Pacific Northwest.
Ninkasi, the nation’s 36th largest craft brewery by volume, according to the Brewers Association, sold 95,700 barrels in 2014. This year, the company is projecting sales upwards of 110,000 barrels.