Distribution Roundup: Reyes Picks Up AleSmith in San Diego; Revolution to Enter Iowa, Minnesota

The Reyes Beer Division is picking up one of the most popular brands in San Diego.

Reyes subsidiaries Harbor Distributing and Crest Beverage will take over distribution of around 310,000 cases of AleSmith Brewing Company products in Southern California from Stone Distributing, starting at the end of the month.

With AleSmith comes .394 Pale Ale, the tribute beer to San Diego Padres legendary Tony Gwynn that has grown into one of the largest craft brands distributed in the on-premise in San Diego, as well as a top-five brand in scan data in the city.

“Aligning our footprint with Reyes will give us access to more beer drinkers who can enjoy our products,” AleSmith president Brandon Richards said in a press release. “Reyes Beer Division’s size, scale, and commitment to our business meets the statewide solution we’re looking for and will help propel AleSmith Brewing forward.”

“It’s meaningful to us that we’ve yet again been chosen to represent a local craft brewer and we look forward to partnering with AleSmith to help build their brand in Southern California,” added Reyes Beer Division CEO Tom Day.

Speaking to Brewbound, Richards said the move from Stone to Reyes was part of a strategy to align AleSmith’s distribution statewide. Reyes already distributes AleSmith’s offerings in Northern California.

“It’s a play that really leans into chain for us,” Richards added. “As we’ve seen the last couple of years, chain in the off-premise is going to continue to drive growth in most breweries and it’s just a fact that our brewery has always over-indexed on-premise. And as we’re getting better at off-premise, we felt like aligning statewide gives us a better chance of being successful.”

Richards added that Stone has been “great partners” and wished them the best.

In a statement, Stone Brewing senior VP of sales Tom McReavy said:

“Stone Distributing has had an incredible 20-plus year run with AleSmith, we had a record sales growth year with them in 2021, and we are proud of the work we did together to grow their brand over the years. Stone Distributing is synonymous with driving growth for local and national craft beverages in Southern California, and our mission of putting brands and service first to all classes of trade will not change even with the ever changing landscape of beer and beer distribution. We wish our friends at AleSmith nothing but the best in their new endeavor.”

Revolution Brewing to Add Iowa, Minnesota

Chicago’s Revolution Brewing plans to expand its Midwestern footprint to include Iowa and Minnesota this spring.

Revolution will move into Iowa, via Johnson Brothers, with statewide coverage starting in March. The 12-year-old craft brewery will launch in Minnesota a month later through Artisan Beer Company.

The addition of the two states is Revolution’s largest expansion since 2017 and the first time the company has moved west of the Mississippi River.

“We’ve been patient in our approach to expansion, and have waited for the right moment and perfect partner to enter these markets,” Revolution founder Josh Deth said in a press release. “The time has come for Revolution Brewing to cross the Mississippi and finally send our beer westward from Chicago.”

Iowa and Minnesota will receive Revolution’s Hero line of IPAs and Freedom Session Sours.