Distribution Roundup: Michigan Breweries Make Moves; Alaskan and SweetWater Realign Networks

madhatter_12oz_photoMU (1)

New Holland Announces Distribution in Maryland

Michigan’s New Holland Brewing today announced it would expand distribution throughout Maryland.

The company has inked an agreement with Bond Distributing Company, which will sell the brewery’s core portfolio and limited release offerings in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Howard, Carroll, Hartford and Cecil Counties.

“Maryland is the perfect fit for our continued 2015 expansion into renowned craft markets across the United States,” Adam Lambert, New Holland’s vice president of sales said in a statement.

New Holland’s launch will coincide with Baltimore Beer Week (October 9-18), the company said in the release.

Including Maryland, New Holland beers will now be sold in 26 states, Washington D.C. and a few international markets.

Bell’s Taps Tennessee

Fellow Michigan craft outfit, Bell’s Brewery Inc., said Monday it would enter Tennessee in November.

The company has signed agreements with 12 different wholesalers for coverage throughout the state, including: Central Distributors, Inc., Clark Distributing Co., Inc., Volunteer Distributing Co., Budweiser of Chattanooga, Budweiser of Clarksville, Budweiser of Cookeville, BountyBev, LLC, Holston Distributing Co., Eagle Distributing Company-Memphis, Eagle Distributing Company-Knoxville, Mid-South Distributing and Tarver Distributing Co. Inc.

“We are extremely excited to work with each and every one of our new distributor partners. With their help, we will be able to continue the level of customer service our fans expect in Tennessee,” Bell’s vice president Laura Bell said in a statement.

Including Tennessee, Bell’s products will now be sold in 23 states as well as Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico.

Alaskan Brewing Realigns in Southern California

AlaskanFreerideAPA

In an effort to increase availability of its offerings in Southern California, Alaskan Brewing today said it has changed wholesalers in the region, moving to Craft Beer Build of Los Angeles.

“We are extremely pleased to be able to answer many requests we have gotten for years from our consumers in Southern California, for more of our beers and more places to buy them,” Merv Boyce, sales manager for Alaskan said in a statement.

Alaskan had already been working with Craft Beer Guild, part of the Sheehan Family Companies, throughout the wholesalers’ San Diego footprint.

“We have developed such a solid relationship with Craft Beer Guild and we are looking forward to building on that relationship,” Boyce added.

Craft Beer Guild will now distribute Alaskan Brewing products in Los Angeles, Orange County, Ventura County, San Bernardino and Palm Springs, the company said.

SweetWater Changes Hands in Alabama

Atlanta-based SweetWater Brewing has also announced a distribution change in Alabama, signing with Birmingham Budweiser and Bama Budweiser of Shelby County in the territory around Birmingham.

The company had been distributing through AlaBev (originally called Birmingham Beverage Company) since 2001. In 2012, however, the brewery notified AlaBev of its plans to change distributors, which prompted the wholesaler to file breach of contract lawsuit. Last month, a judge sided with SweetWater after neither party could produce a written contract, according to AL.com

“SweetWater has been popular in Alabama since it first launched here as a microbrew back in the 90’s, but we’re confident we can expose it to even more craft beer lovers,” Jay Dobbs, president & COO of Birmingham Bud said in a statement. “And with football and tailgating season upon us, the timing is perfect for a re-introduction.”

As part of its re-launch, SweetWater will expand the availability of its offerings – currently limited to 420 Pale Ale and IPA — to include Take Two Pils, Hop Hash and seasonal products.

The company’s beers are also still being sold in Tuscaloosa and Huntsville areas through Supreme Beverage Company.

Other Distribution Updates:

  • North Carolina’s Wicked Weed will begin distributing in Atlanta, according to BeerStreetJournal. Atlanta Beverage will begin distributing the brand, beginning in October.
  • Florida’s Due South Brewing has, for the first time, expanded outside of its home state. The brewery has signed with Bella Vista Distributors and will begin selling product in parts of Eastern Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia, it said in a release.