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 Seventh Annual Craft Beer Distributor of the Year Award until August 23, 2013.

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 jointlyOctober 12, 2013, at the Great American Beer Festival® hosted by the BA in Denver, Colorado.

America’s beer distributors and craft brewers are invited to 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.

“While 2013 overall industry volumes to date are soft, craft beer continues to provide a significant contribution to an expanding and evolving industry,” said NBWA President & CEO Craig Purser. “NBWA is proud of the role that independent beer distributors play in the development of a thriving craft beer industry. The tremendous growth in craft beer sales underscores the excitement of independent beer distributors in partnering with America’s craft brewers to help them reach a wide network of retailers and increase their value.”

BA 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.

According to mid-year data released by the BA, in the first six months of 2013, small and independent American brewers saw dollar sales up 15 percent and volume up 13 percent. During the first half of 2013, approximately 7.3 million barrels of beer were sold by small and independent American brewers, up from 6.4 million barrels sold during the first half of 2012. The BA also reported that there are 2,538 breweries operating in the U.S. as of June 30, 2013, an increase of 446 breweries since June 2012.

In addition to the Craft Beer Distributor of the Year Award, a Craft Beer Achievement Award (first runner-up) and Craft Beer Distributor Recognition Award (second runner-up) also will be presented.

About The National Beer Wholesalers Association

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.

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┬«, SAVORÔäá: 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.