SAN ANTONIO, TX, – Self-distribution allows small breweries to build their business at their own pace and maintain direct relationships with the accounts that sell their beer. Ranger Creek has taken full advantage of this Texas beer law, which has allowed them to sell their beer through 115 accounts in the San Antonio area. However, thirsty consumers have created more demand than the brewery’s self-distribution can handle. As a result, the local craft brewery has chosen to work with a distribution partner in their home market.
“We started selling beer in 2010 as the first microbrewery of this modern era, and we’ve spent 5 years growing with San Antonio,” explains Mark McDavid, co-founder and head of Sales & Marketing. “We’re proud of what we’ve achieved, and now its time to work with the right partner to take it the next level,” he continues. “Giving up self distribution is a huge, nerve-wracking decision. It’s like asking someone to help raise your child.” After nearly a year long search, Ranger Creek chose Glazer’s. “Glazer’s had the right portfolio, the right people, and an impressive passion for carrying our beer,” concludes McDavid.
“We are excited to be partnering with Ranger Creek to grow their brands in the San Antonio area,” says Mike Gorman, VP of Malt Beverage, South Texas. Glazer’s will take over distribution responsibilities for all of Ranger Creek’s beer brands in the San Antonio area starting January 4, 2016. Minor changes in pricing are possible, but both Ranger Creek and Glazer’s have worked hard to minimize them. Consumers should not notice any changes with availability of Ranger Creek products in existing accounts. In fact, the partnership will allow Ranger Creek to expand availability to more accounts across San Antonio.
“Partnering with Glazer’s will allow us to focus on brewing beer while letting a whole army of distribution experts focus on selling our beer,” says TJ Miller, co-founder and head of Operations. The brewery has new equipment on order to significantly expand capacity in anticipation of healthy growth in 2016.
The relationship with Glazer’s covers San Antonio and the surrounding areas. The brewery will continue to self-distribute their beer in Austin and Houston and continue working with their current distribution partners in Dallas/Ft. Worth and College Station. The whiskey side of their business will be unaffected by the deal and will continue to be distributed by Favorite Brands in all Texas markets.
About Ranger Creek
Ranger Creek Brewing & Distilling is a combined brewery/distillery handcrafting beer and bourbon in San Antonio, TX one batch at a time. They are the first modern microbrewery in San Antonio, one of a few combined brewery/distilleries in the U.S., and the only combined operation making both beer and bourbon. They focus on interesting recipes and use local ingredients from the state of Texas as much as possible. The company uses much of the same equipment to make both beer and bourbon, which is possible because in order to make bourbon, beer must be made first. They encourage visitors to San Antonio to sign up for one of their regularly scheduled tours and come by for a visit.