In a move intended to strengthen Left Hand Brewing’s distribution on the East Coast, the company today announced plans to enter Washington D.C. and Maryland during the first week of March.
The Longmont, Colo.-based brewery has signed a wholesale agreement with Legends Limited Distributing for distribution in both markets.
“We’ve had our eye on the Old Line State for many years and with continual production expansion efforts, we will be able to bring Left Hand’s portfolio of award winning balanced beers to our nation’s capital,” Jason Ingram, the company’s East Coast regional sales manager said in a statement.
Legends will distribute the brewery’s perennial line and Nitro series, including Milk Stout & Milk Stout Nitro, Sawtooth Ale & Sawtooth Nitro, as well as 400 Pound Monkey IPA, Black Jack Porter, Polestar Pilsner, Stranger Pale Ale, and Left Hand’s variety pack, Mountain Mixer.
The addition of the D.C. and Maryland markets, which will increase distribution of Left Hand beer to 27 territories, is part of a revamped 15-year expansion plan that Left Hand hopes will ensure staffing and equipment needs as it enters new markets.
“[We’re] making sure we have a plan of expansion on each of those fundamental production steps along the way,” said Emily Armstrong, the brewery’s marketing coordinator.
The expansion comes on the heels of a year where Left Hand grew its production 32 percent, to 65,000 barrels. That figure will likely grow in 2014 as well, according to Joe Schiraldi, Left Hand’s vice president of brewing operations, who said that he expects the brewery to increase production by at least another 15,000 barrels.