Founders Brewing Expands Distribution to Mississippi

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Founders Brewing is on its way to becoming the next nationally distributed craft beer brand.

The Michigan-based craft brewery yesterday announced plans to enter Mississippi, its 45th state, via five beer wholesalers: Capitol City Beverages, Clark Beverage Group, F.E.B. Distributing, Magnolia Beverage and Stokes Distributing.

The company’s year-round, seasonal and specialty beers will begin flowing in Mississippi in early April, it said in a press release.

“The craft consumer base in Mississippi has steadily grown over the years, although the state has always had a strong craft enthusiast culture,” co-founder and CEO Mike Stevens said in the release. “Some of our country’s best and most influential craft beer bars are located in Mississippi. We look forward to celebrating with all the Founders fans of Mississippi as we fill in the last Southern state in style.”

The move into Mississippi also gives Founders complete coverage throughout the southern region of the U.S.

“Founders is one of the most well known, highest rated and award-winning craft brewers in the country and will be an excellent addition to our craft portfolio,” Clark Beverage president Robert Clark said also said in the release. “It is a great day for the craft beer drinkers in the great state of Mississippi.”

Last week, Founders announced plans to enter Delaware in early May. That news followed previous expansions into Alabama, Idaho, Kansas, Oregon and Washington this year. The company also plans to enter Montana in April.

According to market research firm IRI Worldwide, volume sales of Founders products were up 42 percent year-to-date through February 19. Sales of the company’s flagship All Day IPA were also up more than 45 percent during the same period, IRI noted.