Cider, like craft beer, has enjoyed rapid growth in recent years. In 2013, the category grew total on-premise volumes 49 percent, according to GuestMetrics.
Embodying that quick rise, Sonoma Cider announced yesterday that it signed eight new distribution agreements, launching new territories while also expanding in its home market of California.
The cider company, which launched in Healdsburg, Calif. in November of last year, will expand to Georgia, per an agreement with Savannah Distributing. It also tapped Imperial Beverage for distribution in Michigan, and brought on Maeltis Beverage for coverage in Southwest Washington State.
Back in California, Foothill Distributing, V. Santoni & Company, Matagrano Inc., North California Distributing, and Bay Area Distributing will expand Sonoma Cider in the Golden State.
While Sonoma works to gain a foothold in the states, Brooklyn Brewery continues to expand abroad. The brewery just announced it would be bringing its brews back to Switzerland after it initially departed the country in 2012.
Brooklyn founder, Steve Hindy, said the company left the country when its importer, Carlsberg, had a change of management and “they lost interest.”
So why return?
“Now they’re interested again,” Hindy said.
Brooklyn’s beers will be available across Switzerland, the company confirmed on its website.
Meanwhile, Michigan’s New Holland Brewing is expanding distribution to Tennessee, per an agreement with Lipman Brothers.
“We’re heading down to some fun launch events in Nashville and Knoxville first, with Chattanooga to follow shortly” New Holland national accounts manager, Clay Cooper told local news affiliate WZZM 13. “We look forward to planning Memphis for later in the year.”
The Volunteer State can expect its first shipment of New Holland beers in mid-March.
Lastly, The self-proclaimed makers of “America’s most important beer” secured new distribution as well this week. Chicago’s Veteran Beer Co. has inked a deal with Fred W. Losch Beverage Co. for coverage in Lake County, according to the Chicago Sun Times.
“This is a family-owned and independent distributor with a good reputation and the best benchmark in the business,” Marc Blue, the brewery’s regional director, told the website.
He added the relationship gives the brand “immediate credibility with both retailers and consumers.”
Fred Losch Jr., sales and operations manager for Losch Beverage Co., said the company was “proud” to help the brewery, which is owned and operated by veterans, “achieve their mission.”
“What they try to do is truly a worthy cause,” he said.