Kona Expands Distribution to Canada

konaCraft Brew Alliance (CBA) today announced that it will begin shipping offerings from its Kona Brewing line to Canada.

CBA has signed a wholesale agreement with Beerthirst for distribution throughout the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta. Kona will make its debut in British Columbia later this month and roll out in Alberta on December 1, the company said in a press statement.

“For more than a decade, Kona has been bringing its Hawaiian Liquid Aloha to thirsty fans across the mainland,” Kona Brewing brand manager Aaron Marion said in the release. “Our pubs in Kona and Oahu attract nearly one million visitors a year, and Hawaii is a top destination for Canadian travelers who have long been asking when we’ll bring Liquid Aloha to their door.”

CBA will also begin shipping Kona draft packages to both B.C. and Alberta in January.

As disclosed by CBA chief marketing officer Ken Kunze during an earnings call last week, Kona’s depletions increased 15 percent during the third quarter and are up 14 percent year-to-date. That growth, added Kunze, was primarily driven by Kona’s variety pack, Big Wave, and Castaway IPA, which made its mainland debut earlier this year.

Kona products are currently sold in 40 states and, with the addition of Canada, 17 countries.