FT. COLLINS, CO – In just two weeks, New Belgium Brewing will enter Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., expanding the nation’s third-largest brewery’s distribution into 28 states and the District of Columbia.
The expansion will bring New Belgium’s portfolio further north along the eastern seaboard with the initial launch of 22-oz. bottles of Fat Tire, Ranger IPA and fall seasonal, Hoptober Ale. Trippel and Lips of Faith beers will also be available in select markets with draft and 12-oz. packages to follow. These new territories will officially open on August 22.
“We couldn’t be more excited about these new territories,” said Bryan Simpson Media Relations Director for New Belgium Brewing. “Many New Belgium co-workers are from the East Coast, including our CEO and founder Kim Jordan who grew up in Maryland, so for many of us this expansion takes us back to our roots.”
Seventeen distributors will help broaden New Belgium’s reach, which now includes plans to distribute in Montgomery County, MD. At first distribution plans did not include Montgomery County because of logistical challenges. However New Belgium recently reached a deal that allows for distribution of draft and 22-oz. bottles in Montgomery County as well.
New Belgium, which is built around core values of producing world-class beer, environmental stewardship and having fun, recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. In 2010 the brewery produced a little more than 660,000 barrels of beer, which is up about 12 percent from 2009.
To learn more about New Belgium Brewing go to www.newbelgium.com. To find a location near you to buy New Belgium beer check out our libation location tool at http://www.newbelgium.com/beer/finder.aspx.