Ninkasi Makes East Coast Debut in New York

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Ninkasi Brewing is getting set to make its full time debut on the east coast.

Starting in late September, the brewery’s beers – including Total Domination IPA and Oatis Oatmeal Stout – will be available throughout New York via a partnership with the Sheehan Family distributor network, comprised of Craft Beer Guild of New York, Union Beer Distributors, T.J. Sheehan Distributing, and Tri-Valley Beverage.  

The company already sells beer in 10 states and in western Canada, but has yet to develop a strong presence in the east. In July, the company expanded to Texas, where it currently has a limited footprint. Brewery founder Nikos Ridge has a tie to the Big Apple, however, as an alumnus of New York University. He said he sees “tremendous opportunity” for growth in the state.

“I am excited to bring our beers to the growing number of passionate craft beer drinkers on the east coast,” said Ridge.

The company began sending one-off shipments to New York City last May, but will expand throughout the state, its eleventh, next month. Ninkasi may also look to expand in other east coast markets, a company spokeswoman told Brewbound. Communications director Ali AAsum said Ninkasi is already “looking into the possibility of additional East Coast cities” coming online this year.

It’s been a relatively busy year for the brewery on the distribution expansion front. In addition to launching in Texas, and now New York, the brewery tapped General Distributing Company of Salt Lake City for coverage throughout Utah back in February. In January, Ninkasi also realigned its wholesale network, leaving a pair of wholesalers owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev for two independent distributors.

Ninkasi, which last year opened a second brewery capable of producing 250,000 barrels annually, sold 95,700 barrels of beer in 2014. Currently ranked as the nation’s 36th largest craft brewery, Ninkasi plans to sell upwards of 110,000 barrels in 2015, AAsum said.