Distribution Roundup: Knee Deep Realigns Network; Back Forty Taps Tennessee

Knee Deep Continues to Realign with DBI

As part of its continued effort to realign its California distribution network, Knee Deep Brewing will now be sold by DBI Beverage of Sacramento throughout the region.

“This is the final step in the reorganization of our distribution network in Northern California,” said Jerry Moore, Knee Deep CEO, in a news release.

In order to begin selling Knee Deep products, however, DBI had to first acquire the distribution rights from Mussetter Distributing, which had previously been selling the brand in the region. Specific terms of the sale were not disclosed.

Earlier this year, the Auburn, Calif. brewery also tapped DBI wholesalers in San Jose and San Francisco as it shuffled its coverage in Napa, San Joaquin, Lake, Mendocino, and Amador counties. Transitions in an effort to increase its “level of exposure and support” in the northern Calif. marketplace.

Back Forty Taps Tennessee

Alabama’s Back Forty Beer Co. has inked an agreement with Ajax Turner Company, Inc. for distribution throughout Nashville, Tenn.

The move marks the brewery’s first foray into the state, where its beer is now available for purchase on draft and in packaged formats.

“We’ve been waiting for the right opportunity to grow into Tennessee for quite some time,” said Back Forty Beer Company President and CEO Jason Wilson. “The Southern culture and commitment to local artisans that defines Back Forty Beer Company is alive and well in Nashville, and we’re excited to get started.”

Back Forty is also distributed in its home state of Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, and Washington, D.C.

NOLA to Fill Out Florida with Brown

Though its beers have been available in the state’s panhandle for more than three years, NOLA Brewing is extending its reach throughout the rest of the state this November.

The brewery, based out of New Orleans, La., has come to terms with Brown Distributing for coverage in the “vast majority” of the rest of the state where its beers are not yet available, per a company statement.

“We were fortunate enough to meet with all of the distributors, but when it came down to making the decision, we felt the folks at Brown Distributing just understood our brand, our growth plans and were the most capable team to support our beers,” said Kirk Coco, NOLA CEO, in the statement.

Most of the brewery’s lineup will be made available throughout the state next month, though other select offerings are slated to ship by summer, 2015.

Heretic Grows Beyond California

Heretic Brewing has signed a string of distribution agreements that will continue its growth outside of the company’s home state of California.

In September alone, the brewery, out of Fairfield, Calif., inked deals with General Distribution in Utah, Crafty Connoisseurs in Florida, Freedom Distribution in North Carolina, and Bella Vista Distributing in the greater Philadelphia metropolitan area

Jamil Zainasheff, Heretic’s CEO, said the latest expansions are keeping the company “on track with our five-year growth plan.”

Aside from California and the abovementioned markets, Heretic also distributes to Idaho, Utah, Hawaii, and a number of international markets.

B Nektar Meadery Signs with Remarkable Liquids

Michigan’s B Nektar Meadery has expanded distribution throughout New York City per a partnership with independent craft beer specialists Remarkable Liquids.

Though known for its meads, the Michigan-based B Nektar has added cider and beer to its production portfolio in the past year and plans to gradually roll out some of those offerings in NYC.