Founders to Expand in Southern California

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Founders Brewing Company is once again expanding its distribution footprint out west, inking agreements with Reyes Beverage Group and Pacific Beverage for coverage throughout Southern California.

Beginning in January, the Michigan-based craft brewery will begin selling its year-round and seasonal offerings in markets like San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo.

“We’re confident that the partnerships with the Reyes Beverage Group and Pacific Beverage Company will be a strong and fruitful opportunity for the Founders brand to reach one of the most enthusiastic beer markets in the country and we’re excited to introduce our entire portfolio of products to a new audience,” brewery co-founder Mike Stevens said in a statement.

Reyes — via its Harbor Distributing, Crest Beverage, Gate City Beverage, Unique Craft Solutions and Allied Beverage outfits — will distribute the brand in L.A., Orange, San Diego, San Bernardino and Riverside counties, the brewery said.

“Founders is a brewery we have long admired,” said Tom Reyes, the president of Reyes Beverage Group. “Christmas has come early for us this year being able to announce this partnership.”

For its part, Pacific Beverage will service the Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with such a well-respected craft brewery,” Jeff Jordano, the president of Pacific Beverage said in a statement.

Today’s announcement builds on the company’s September decision to enter Northern California, where it signed with nine different wholesalers.

Founders was ranked at the nation’s 17th-largest craft producer by volume in 2014. It expects to produce 273,000 barrels in 2015, up from 193,000 the year prior.