Fireman’s Brew Expands Arizona Distribution

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Three years after launching in Arizona, Los Angeles-based Fireman’s Brew has announced a new Arizona distribution partnership with six MillerCoors distributors: Crescent Crown Distributing, Canyon Distributing, Finley Distributing, III Counties/Southern Distributing, Nackard Distributing, and Northland Distributing. Crescent Crown Distributing, which purchased the rights to the brand from Alliance Beverage Distributing, will take on the majority of the Arizona distribution.

Fireman’s Brew, founded 10 years ago by two thirsty firefighters, has enjoyed a slow and controlled burn, but it appears the company is accelerating the pace of expansion. In 2015 alone the company broadened distribution of its three beers Blonde (pilsner), Brunette (German doppelbock), and Redhead (red amber ale) — into Louisiana, West Virginia, Ohio, as well as international markets like China and Panama.

“The good thing about [entering a lot of new markets] is we’ve been able to see what works and what doesn’t,” Fireman’s Brew COO David Johnson told Brewbound. “In the past we launched in the market with one distributor that covered a small piece of the state. It’s hard to gain momentum when you’re covering 12 counties of a small state and don’t have any coverage anywhere else.”

Johnson believes that partnering with a network of full-time beer distributors will allow the company to push much deeper into the Arizona beer marketplace than they could have with a wine and spirits wholesaler like Alliance.

Still, Johnson understand the inherent challenge of working within large a distributor outfit like Crescent Crown is mindshare.

“Our feeling is that a distributor is going to care about your brand as much as you do,” he said. “We feel like if we create a solid partnership with [Crescent Crown] from the get-go, we can overcome some of the hurdles of being a small brand in a big house.”

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Crescent Crown’s craft portfolio in Arizona includes Blue Moon, Shiner Bock, Fat Tire, and Breckenridge Brewery’s Vanilla Porter.

Fireman’s Brew plans to support the move with bigger marketing and sales investments into the marketplace.

Additional details are included in the press release below.

Los Angeles-craft beer company founded by firefighters teams up with network of six MillerCoors distributors to expand availability of its award-winning beers statewide

LOS ANGELES – November 18, 2015 – Fireman’s Brew, a Los Angeles-based craft beer company founded by two firefighters, today announced that it will team up with a network of MillerCoors distributors to expand availability of its three award-winning beers in Arizona.

“We’ve experienced tremendous success in Arizona over the last few years and are looking forward to further expanding our reach by partnering with six key MillerCoors distributors,” explained Rob Nowaczyk, founder of Fireman’s Brew. “We can’t wait for more beer lovers in Arizona to get their first taste of our blonde, brunette and redhead ales created using only the finest of all-natural ingredients.”

Fireman’s Brew will tap the power of six MillerCoors distributors, including: Crescent Crown Distributing, Canyon Distributing, Finley Distributing, III Counties/Southern Distributing, Nackard Distributing and Northland Distributing to bring its line of premium micro-brewed beers to a variety of on premise and off premise locations throughout the state. The company previously worked with Alliance Beverage Distributing when they first expanded into the state in 2012.

Crescent Crown Distributing, a full-service, direct store delivery distributor of beer and non-alcohol beverages in both Arizona and Louisiana will now handle the majority of Fireman’s Brew’s distribution in Arizona.

“As one of the top ten largest beer distributors in the country, delivering more than 28 million cases of beer annually in their Arizona and Southern Louisiana markets, Crescent Crown offers unparalleled expertise and we are honored to have them lead the majority of our distribution efforts in Arizona,” stated Roger Baer, Chief Executive Officer of Fireman’s Brew.

In Arizona, Fireman’s Brew signature beers will be distributed in 12 ounce bottle six-packs, twelve-pack samplers and kegs including:

  • Fireman’s Brew: Blonde (Pilsner-style Lager; 5 percent ABV)
  • Fireman’s Brew: Brunette (German-style Doublebock; 8 percent ABV)
  • Fireman’s Brew: Redhead (Amber Ale; 5.5 percent ABV

“With their firefighter roots, Fireman’s Brew offers a compelling brand story paired with exceptional tasting craft beer,” said Joe Cotroneo from Crescent Crown Distributing. “We’re excited to help them continue to solidify their footprint in Arizona by distributing these great brands to our valued retail customers across the Valley of the Sun.”

Conceived by two Los Angeles-based firefighters after extinguishing a brushfire in the local mountains, Fireman’s Brew grew out of their vision to create a premium line of handcrafted ales and lagers that would quench their thirsts after an exhausting day on the firelines.  Fireman’s Brew collection of micro-brewed beers are created using only the finest of all-natural ingredients to deliver bold, full-flavored, traditional tastes and easy drinking refreshment.  In addition, the company is committed to giving back to the firefighter community upon which it was founded by donating a portion of company proceeds to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation – the nation’s leading non-profit organization dedicated to honoring fallen firefighters and providing assistance to their surviving families.

For more information on Fireman’s Brew visit www.firemansbrew.com.

About Fireman’s Brew:

Extinguish Your Thirst! with Fireman’s Brew, a premium line of micro-brewed beers created by two Los Angeles-based firefighters. Based in Canoga Park, Calif., Fireman’s Brew has quickly become one of the fastest growing craft beer brands in California and beyond.  Created using only the finest of all-natural ingredients, Fireman’s Brew offers a selection of three microbrewed beers for off-duty refreshment. Originally created by firefighters for firefighters, Fireman’s Brew is committed to giving back to the firefighter community and donates a portion of its proceeds to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation in Emmitsburg, Md.  www.firemansbrew.com

About Crescent Crown Distributing

Crescent Crown Distributing is a full-service, direct store delivery distributor of premium alcoholic and non-alcohol beverages throughout the states of Louisiana and Arizona. Crescent Crown delivers over 28 million cases annually throughout their distribution territory, making them one of the TOP 10 largest beer distributors in the country. Crescent Crown Distributing, LLC’s mission is to always perform as a nationally recognized leader, establishing the standards by which others are measured. Crescent Crown holds themselves accountable to these standards with the utmost integrity, pride, professionalism and enthusiasm and strive as a team and individual to be the best distributor in the market. For more information, please visit: http://www.ccdaz.com/home.