Deschutes Taps D.C. and Northern Virginia

Continuing to build out a footprint on the eastern half of the country, Deschutes Brewery has announced plans to expand distribution throughout Washington D.C. and northern Virginia early next month.

The brewery, headquartered out of Bend, Ore., has signed agreements with Premium Distributors — part of the Reyes Beverage Group — in both markets.

Deschutes, the country’s sixth largest craft brewer, will initially debut draft versions of its year-round offerings — Black Butte Porter, Mirror Pond Pale Ale, and Fresh Squeezed IPA — on November 3 The brewery plans to gradually roll out packaged products and limited release offerings to D.C. and in the Arlington and Alexandria regions of Virginia over time, it said in a press statement.

“Our fans on the east coast have been anxious to get our beers for quite some time, so we’re happy to finally extend our reach their way,” said Stacy Denbow, Deschutes’ expansion manager.

With the addition of the new markets, Deschutes products will now be sold in 28 states, the Nation’s Capital, and a number of international markets.

Earlier this month, Deschutes found its way into Michigan with wholesaler partner West Side Beer Distributing. At the time of the announcement, Deschutes called the move the last “major” market expansion it had planned for the rest of the year. Throughout the first eight months of the year, the brewery also expanded its distribution footprint to Ohio, Kentucky, central and western Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

According to the Brewers Association, Deschutes produced more than 287,000 barrels of beer in 2013.