Deadline Approaches for Craft Beer Distributor of the Year Award Nominations

ALEXANDRIA, VA The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) and the Brewers Association (BA) are accepting nominations for the Sixth Annual Craft Beer Distributor of the Year Award until August 15, 2012.

The award recognizes an American beer distributor who goes above and beyond in their efforts to actively market, sell and promote craft beer. The award will be presented October 13, 2012, at the Great American Beer Festival® hosted by the BA in Denver, Colorado.

America’s beer distributors and craft brewers can nominate any distributor they believe is deserving of the award. For the nomination form, entry rules and regulations, please visit www.nbwa.org/craft-beer-distributor-of-the-year.

“The entrepreneurial spirit of craft brewers continues to add energy and excitement to the American beer industry,” said NBWA President Craig Purser. “Their tremendous growth demonstrates American consumers’ appreciation for craft beer and excitement over the wide variety of flavors beer has to offer. Beer distributors take great pride in serving as the vehicle to market for these brands and providing choice and variety to the consumer.”

Brewers Association President Charlie Papazian applauded beer distributors for providing a valuable service by giving craft beers a presence in the marketplace.

“This award recognizes the creativity, innovation and specialized services independent beer distributors are providing on behalf of independent craft brewers,” Papazian said.

In addition to the Craft Beer Distributor of the Year Award, a Craft Beer Achievement Award and Craft Beer Distributor Recognition Award will also be presented.

The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) represents the interests of America’s 3,300 licensed, independent beer distributor operations in every state, congressional district and media market across the country. Beer distributors are committed to ensuring alcohol is provided safely and responsibly to consumers of legal drinking age through the three-tier, state-based system of alcohol regulation and distribution. To learn more about America’s beer distributors, visit www.AmericasBeerDistributors.com.

For additional updates from NBWA, follow @MrBeerGuy on Twitter and visit www.facebook.com/Mr.BeerGuy.

The Brewers Association is the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American brewers, their craft beers and the community of brewing enthusiasts. The Brewers Association (BA) represents more than 70 percent of the brewing industry, and its members make more than 99 percent of the beer brewed in the U.S. The BA organizes events including the World Beer Cup┬«, Great American Beer Festival┬«, Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America┬«, SAVOR?: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience and American Craft Beer Week. The BA publishes The New Brewer magazine and its Brewers Publications division is the largest publisher of contemporary and relevant brewing literature for today’s craft brewers and homebrewers.

Beer lovers are invited to learn more about the dynamic world of craft beer at CraftBeer.com and about homebrewing via the BA’s American Homebrewers Association. Follow us on Twitter.