Night Shift Heads to Maryland
Everett, Massachusetts-headquartered Night Shift Brewing will begin distributing in Maryland with Legends Ltd., the Baltimore-based subsidiary of Sheehan Family Companies.
“Thrilled to partner with [Legends] to bring the owl to Chesapeake Bay and beyond,” the brewery wrote in an Instagram post. “Crabcakes + Whirlpool – do we need to say more?”
Legends’ territory includes the entire state of Maryland and Washington, D.C. The wholesaler will carry Night Shift’s hop-forward core offerings (Fluffy hazy IPA, The 87 hazy double IPA, Santilli IPA and Whirlpool hazy pale ale), its Lite series (Nite Lite lager, Day Lite wheat lager and Lime Lite lager) and Hoot hard seltzer.
Maryland and Washington, D.C., mark Night Shift’s 11th and 12th markets. The brand is also available in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Jersey and Virginia.
Last fall, Night Shift sold the rights to its previously self-distributed brands in its home state and Connecticut to Sheehan distributors Craft Massachusetts, Seaboard Products, L. Knife & Son and Craft Massachusetts. Night Shift Distributing ceased operations in Massachusetts and Connecticut last year. Its portfolio included offerings from New England-based craft breweries (67 Degrees, Aeronaut, Mast Landing and Widowmaker) as well as breweries from across the U.S. (Destihl, Trophy), and non-alcoholic offerings from Athletic Brewing, Spindrift and HOP WTR.
New York City’s Torch & Crown Expands to Massachusetts
Manhattan-based Torch & Crown Brewing has entered Massachusetts statewide with Craft Collective.
“We’re wicked excited to launch in New England properly,” the brewery wrote in an Instagram post. “We all live in New York City, but a big chunk of our team hails from New England as well. Go buy some of our beer, tag a bar/restaurant/bottleshop who should carry it below, and let us know what you think.”
Massachusetts marks Torch & Crown’s third market, behind New York and New Jersey. The brewery sent “a handful of shipments over the course of six months or so” to the Bay State via the now-shuttered Night Shift Distributing,” Keith Sansone, director of sales and distribution, told Brewbound.
“After seeing the great response to the beers in the market, we decided to explore a proper launch of T&C in Mass.,” he said. “We took some time to properly vet some of the other distributors in [Massachusetts] as well as to review our production schedules and capacities to see how and when we could relaunch the market with more regular inventory and proper market support and to see who aligned with our goals.”
Torch & Crown will ship three year-round SKUs – Almost Famous IPA, Tenement Pilsner, and Intersect session IPA, its rotating hop series – as well as seasonal releases and limited-edition offerings.
Notch Brewing Begins Distributing to Vermont
Beer from Salem, Massachusetts-based Notch Brewing will soon be available in Vermont, the brewery announced on Instagram.
“We’ve partnered with the good folks at [Vermont Beer Shepherd] to begin bringing our beer to stores in the Green Mountain state,” Notch wrote.
The first Notch offerings to be available in Vermont include 16 oz. can 4-packs of Session Pils and Salem Lager.
Vermont Beer Shepherd, a Waterbury-based independent wholesaler, also distributes Vermont-based brands including Lawson’s Finest Liquids and Four Quarters Brewing, as well as offerings from Anderson Valley Brewing, Bear Republic, Boneyard Beer, Schilling Beer and Proclamation Ale Company, according to its website.
Holidaily Brewing Expands Within Wyoming
Golden, Colorado-based Holidaily Brewing, a certified gluten-free craft brewery, has expanded its footprint within neighboring Wyoming.
Holidaily’s offerings will be on shelves in Carbon, Converse, Natrona, Fremon, Sublette, Teton, Lincoln and Sweetwater counties beginning Memorial Day weekend, the brewery announced on Instagram.
The brewery, named one of Brewbound’s Rising Stars in 2021, has added several markets in the past year, including Texas (Austin – October 2021; San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth – March 2022), Southern California (San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange County – November 2021) and Oklahoma (Oklahoma City and Tulsa – January 2022).
Holidaily’s offerings are also available in Arizona and Kansas.
Athletic Brewing Gains Buffalo Wild Wings Placement
Drinkers visiting Buffalo Wild Wings will have two choices from non-alcoholic craft beer maker Athletic Brewing this summer.
More than 1,000 BWW locations will add Athletic’s Run Wild IPA and Upside Dawn golden ale to their menus this summer, the brewery announced in a press release.
“Great sports and great food just go better with a great beer,” BWW director of beverage strategy and innovation Jason Murphy said in the release. “We’ve noticed many of our patrons looking for non-alcoholic options more than ever before and they are looking for a beer that lets them socialize, share a meal, and enjoy the game with family and friends without alcohol. We know that having Athletic on the menu at B-Dubs will really enhance the experience for some of our fans.”
Finnish Long Drink Goes Statewide in Arkansas
The Finnish Long Drink – the spirits-based, ready-to-drink canned cocktail featuring gin and citrus – has gained statewide distribution in Arkansas via Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, the company announced.
“We chose to partner with Southern Glazer’s due to their extensive expertise in Arkansas, and this partnership will allow us to grow long lasting relationships with their connections, to ensure customers will be able to find The Finnish Long Drink in their favorite bars, restaurants and retailers statewide,” co-founder Sakari Manninen said in a press release.
Arkansas marks The Finnish Long Drink’s 26th state after launching in the U.S. in 2019.