Escondido, California-based Stone Distributing has added San Diego-based Ashland Hard Seltzer and El Segundo Brewing to its Southern California portfolio.
“The Southern California distribution rights of Ashland Hard Seltzer and El Segundo Brewing Company are a significant addition to Stone Distributing’s portfolio of amazing partners,” Tom McReavy, Stone Brewing senior VP of sales, said in a press release. “Our team has long admired the hop-forward IPAs of El Segundo and their commitment to freshness, and Ashland continues to be a top selling seltzer in SoCal. We are thrilled to partner with both and continue to build on their successes.”
In 2021, Stone has added nine new distribution partners to its portfolio of more than 40 breweries, including Inglewood-based Crowns & Hops, Chula Vista-based Boochcraft Kombucha, San Diego-based Societe Brewing and ready-to-drink canned cocktail maker Villager Spirits. Stone now holds a 20% share of craft distribution across Southern California, a 1% increase over last year, according to the release.
“We’ve focused on building out our portfolio both in terms of craft beer — Societe is a great example — but also we were severely under-shared in seltzers,” Maria Stipp, Stone CEO, told Brewbound last week. “We’re looking to build out our LA footprint in a bigger, broader way, and then we’re also building our RTD bucket.”
Splash Signs Distribution Deal with AB One
Splash Beverage Group has agreed to a distribution deal with AB ONE — Anheuser-Busch InBev’s network of wholly-owned distributors.
The deal will expand the availability of three Splash brands: TapouT, lifestyle brand and sports drinks company; Copa di Vino, maker of single-serve, resealable “wine by the glass;” and Puppoloco, maker of ready-to-drink sangria in paper cans.
“This agreement formalizes and significantly expands our current multi-state distribution footprint with Anheuser-Busch distributors and AB ONE,” Splash chairman and CEO Robert Nistico said in a press release. “InBev’s AB ONE distribution organization is arguably one of the most effective distribution partners you can align with. We couldn’t be more pleased.”
AB ONE’s network includes approximately 50,000 accounts across the U.S., including key markets such as New York, Boston and Los Angeles, according to the release.
“This distribution agreement marks a major milestone for Splash and our brands, making them available to millions of new consumers from New York City to Los Angeles,” Splash president and chief marketing officer Bill Meissner said in the release. “We believe AB ONE is very intentional in their choice of brands, and we see this agreement as further confirmation of Splash’s brand development and growth strategy.”
Charlottesville’s Champion Brewing and Reason Beer Agree to Merger
Charlottesville, Virginia-based Champion Brewing and Reason Beer have agreed to a merger, Champion announced Tuesday.
Under the deal, Champion will move its operations from Woolen Mills Missile Factory to Reason’s facility at 1180 Seminole Trail. All the company’s brands and beer recipes will remain the same, and all staff will stay on, according to a press release.
The merger is scheduled to be completed by the end of this month. Hunter Smith will remain as Champion’s CEO, while Jeff Raileanu, one of Reason’s founders, will serve as CFO.
“The primary change will be where we make and store our beer,” Smith said in the release.
Champion produces five times the volume of beer Reason has produced so far this year, according to the release. The merged company is expected to produce more than 6,000 barrels annually, with $10 million in revenue in 2022.
“It’s a great opportunity for Reason to leverage the reach of Champion’s distribution, and for both brands to streamline operations under a single roof, all while maintaining the brand identity and following we have worked to establish,” Raileanu said in the release. “Like Reason, Champion’s culture includes giving back to the community, so it’s a great fit for our teams to work together to continue that tradition.”
Drizly Launches in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Statewide in Iowa
More than 2 million consumers can now order alcohol delivery through Drizly, as the e-commerce platform has expanded into Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma, as well as the state of Iowa.
The expansions follow the legalization of alcohol delivery by retailers through third parties, passed by Oklahoma in August and by Iowa in May.
“Oklahomans have been asking for Drizly’s on-demand alcohol delivery,” Blaine Grinna, Drizly director of retail partnerships, said in a press release. “Once legalization made that possible, we went right to work building a best-in-class retail local partner network and are thrilled to expand into Oklahoma.
“Consumers today want convenience without compromising on selection or price, especially during the holidays when entertaining and gifting go into high gear. It couldn’t be a better time of the year to bring Drizly to Oklahoma,” he continued.
Similarly in Iowa, Grinna said Drizly began expanding its retailer network in the state as soon as legislation was passed. The expansion reaches across 18 cities and towns, and 30 stores, including 1 West D Liquors, University Liquors, Off Campus Beer & Spirits, Central City Liquors, Mega Saver – Broadway, and several Kum & Go locations. More than 1.2 million consumers will be able to order through the Drizly app and online in the state, as well as an additional 1 million consumers in Oklahoma.
Drizly is now available in more than 1,600 cities across North America. In October, the company was acquired by Uber for $1.1 billion, consisting of 18.7 million shares of Uber common stock, plus cash.