YORK, PENNSYLVANIA — The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) and the Brewers Association (BA) have announced that Ace Distributing of York, Pennsylvania, is a nominee for the Craft Beer Distributor of the Year Award for the second consecutive year. The award, now in its eighth year, recognizes an American beer distributor who goes above and beyond in their efforts to actively market, sell and promote craft beer.
The award will be presented October 4, 2014, at the Great American Beer Festival® hosted by the BA in Denver, Colorado. In addition to the Craft Beer Distributor of the Year Award, a Craft Beer Achievement Award (first runner-up) and Craft Beer Distributor Recognition Award (second runner-up) also will be presented.
In order to support and grow the craft beer brands in its portfolio, Ace Distributing launched “The Beer Ace” social media campaign, which has gained a dedicated following on Facebook and Twitter. The company has achieved 32 percent growth in the past year for its craft beer brands, in part through innovative marketing efforts like hosting “Beer School” event series to educate retailers and consumers throughout their market, creating video programming for their craft beer brands and hosting a PhilanthroBeer Week series of events that raised more than $17,000 for a local chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
NBWA President and CEO Craig Purser said, “The craft beer category continues to experience tremendous growth thanks in large part to the effectiveness of the independent distribution system and the strong relationship between craft brewers and beer distributors. America’s independent beer distributors take great pride in contributing to this American success story by serving as the vehicle to market for craft beer brands and working with craft brewers to provide choice and variety to consumers.”
BA President Charlie Papazian applauded beer distributors for providing a valuable service by giving craft beers a presence in the marketplace. “This award recognizes the creativity, innovation and specialized services independent beer distributors are providing on behalf of independent craft brewers,” Papazian said.
“NBWA is proud to recognize all of the Craft Beer Distributor of the Year Award nominees who have gone above and beyond to help strengthen the craft beer segment and bring American consumers the most extensive choice and variety of beer in the world,” Purser added. “Ace Distributing has shown dedication to delivering unique and innovative craft beers to consumers by stocking store shelves with these brands.”
About Ace
Ace Distributing was founded in 1948 by Jimmie and Nick Spagnola, currently owned by Jeff Reeder and Tim Strickler since 1988. Throughout the years the company has expanded its distribution opportunities and portfolio of brands, spreading across six counties in South Central Pennsylvania and representing over sixty-four breweries from the United States and globally.
Ace Distributing has been recently recognized nationally for their market strategy with a 2013 Craft Beer Distributor of the Year nomination by the Brewer’s Association & National Beer Wholesalers Association, as well as Beverage Trade Network’s “2014 Leading Craft Beer Distributors in the USA.”
About NBWA
The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) represents the interests of America’s 3,300 licensed, independent beer distributor operations in every state, congressional district and media market across the country. Beer distributors are committed to ensuring alcohol is provided safely and responsibly to consumers of legal drinking age through the three-tier, state-based system of alcohol regulation and distribution. To learn more about America’s beer distributors, visit www.AmericasBeerDistributors.com. For additional updates from NBWA, follow @NBWABeer on Twitter, watch NBWA videos on www.youtube.com/NBWABeer and visit www.facebook.com/NBWABeer.