Big Wood Brewery and Wirtz Beverage Minnesota Announce Partnership

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Big Wood Brewery and Wirtz Beverage Minnesota launched a new partnership today to distribute the brewer’s brands throughout Minnesota. The new agreement establishes Wirtz Beverage as Minnesota’s first statewide craft beer distributor and it marks the first opportunity for Big Wood Brewery’s distinctive craft beer brands to reach every corner of the state.

“We brewed our first beer in 2009, and to our delight, Big Wood has become a favorite in this competitive marketplace,” said Steve Merila, Founder Big Wood Brewery. “Wirtz Beverage is the only partner in the business that can provide the true statewide reach that we want and need to elevate our brand to the next level. It’s a great opportunity for us to grow.”

Big Wood Brewery is a bold new player on the craft beer scene gaining notoriety for its distinctive brews. Wirtz Beverage Minnesota will begin to sell and distribute Big Wood Brewery’s complete portfolio of sessionable craft beers including its flagship brews, Morning Wood Coffee Stout and Bad Axe Imperial IPA.

Big Wood Brewery has racked up a number of awards and accolades including back to back ‘Best Beer’ wins at the Autumn Brew Review for its Morning Wood Coffee Stout as well as being named the ‘Best Brewery’ at the 2012 Winter Carnival and ‘#1 Minnesota Brewery’ at the 2012 St. Paul Summer Beer Fest.

“Big Wood is a great brand with an exceptional following. They are a solid partner to launch and grow our statewide craft beer team,” said Julian Burzynski, SVP Wirtz Beverage Minnesota. “Until now, craft brewers needed multiple partners to sell their beer statewide. We’re excited to say that’s no longer the case with Wirtz Beverage Minnesota.”

In addition to distributing wine and spirits, the company also holds the distribution rights to brands from top beer producers including MillerCoors and craft brewers such as The Boston Beer Co., Boulevard Brewing Co., Anchor Brewing, Sierra Nevada and Full Sail Brewing Co.

About Big Wood Brewery

Founded in 2009 and based in Vadnais Heights, MN, Big Wood Brewery is a licensed brewery that produces distinctive craft brews for distribution throughout Minnesota. Touting its edgy yet playful brand image and unforgettable name among its most distinguishing factors, Big Wood Brewery recognizes that, to stand out in Minnesota, consumers need to be torn away from normalcy. The company’s unique name is a tribute to the wooded landscape of its home state, Minnesota.

About Wirtz Beverage Minnesota

Wirtz Beverage Minnesota is one of the nation’s oldest beverage alcohol distributors focused on the statewide distribution of wine, spirits and beer. The company is an affiliate of Wirtz Beverage Group. With nearly $2 billion in annual sales and 2,500 employees, Wirtz Beverage Group has operations in Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, Nevada and Wisconsin.