Sixpoint Brewery Heads to Wisconsin

Sixpoint ResinSixpoint Brewery announced on Monday that it would begin distributing beer to Wisconsin before the end of the month.

The decision to head to ‘The Badger State’ was a personal one for company founder Shane Welch, who was born and raised there.

“Nearly all of my family, both extended and immediate, still lives there,” he said. “This was really a natural fit, even if it was not a contiguous market.”

The company has signed on with Beechwood Distributors, an L. Knife & Son company specializing in craft sales throughout the entire state.

Welch said the company will be hosting various launch events throughout the state and its beers will also be featured at upcoming event for Milwaukee Beer Week in April and Madison Beer Week in May.

“We are doing it the old-fashioned way, the way we have always done it,” Welch said. “I will be there along with a couple of others to introduce ourselves and the beers, and also tell the story of Sixpoint, and of course, share some beers with folks.”

Welch said the first 10 weeks of 2012 have been “solid,” and that “every market is showing positive growth.”

Sixpoint produced roughly 25,000 barrels in 2011, up from 12,000 in 2010. Welch said he expects that number to grow again in 2012.

Below is the full press release announcing the company’s move to Wisconsin.

BROOKLYN, NY — Sixpoint Brewery, whose motto is “Beer Is Culture,” will begin distribution in Wisconsin this month. The brewery was founded seven years ago in Brooklyn, New York by Shane Welch, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and native of the Milwaukee area. With an increasing variety of draft beers and core flavors in distinctive, 16 oz. cans, the brewery is excited to spread its heritage to Wisconsin.

In its short history, Sixpoint has grown to become one of the most well-received breweries in the Northeast. Founded in a converted garage in Brooklyn, the brewery has produced more than 200 styles of beer, with new limited-release beers circulating frequently. Sixpoint beers are available at some of New York City’s finest restaurants, such as Gramercy Tavern, The Spotted Pig and Momofuku restaurant group. The brewery has also spawned distinct, ongoing beer series such as the Mad Scientists series, a bi-monthly release of innovative brews, and the Spice of Life single hop varietal series.

Just one year ago, the brewery grew from its draft-only format to introduce 16 oz. cans of its core flavors. Now with five year-round flavors in cans, including the 12 oz. strong ale Resin, and four seasonal beers in cans as well as on draft, Sixpoint beers are more portable and visible than ever. With terrific ratings for its numerous seasonal and core beer offerings on sites such as Beer Advocate and RateBeer, the brewery has cultivated a widespread community of fans from all over the world.

Sixpoint is ecstatic to offer its beers in the state that inspired its founder’s passion for craft beer. Prior to founding Sixpoint, Shane Welch began homebrewing as a college student extensively, and cut his teeth apprenticing at the Angelic Brewery (now closed) in Madison.

“All of the core Sixpoint beer recipes are extensions of my original homebrew recipes. These are the beers I invented while brewing in my basement on Vilas Avenue in Madison,” remarked Welch. “This literally defines grassroots. Starting with just an idea and passion in your basement, then moving to a pressure cooker like New York and making it work, and then finally coming home to share it with your friends and family in your native state. I can’t wait to buy people some pints of Sixpoint!”

Sixpoint will be distributed throughout Wisconsin by Beechwood Distributors, based in New Berlin.

“We are very much looking forward to representing Sixpoint beers in Wisconsin! They have obviously been very successful in NYC and the east coast, and that success has created a pent up demand and anticipation here,” said Dave Cartwright of Beechwood. “[The beers] are all extremely drinkable while also being very flavorful and interesting. I am personally really looking forward to trying some of the amazing limited edition beers they produce and hear so much about.”

“I am thrilled to have Sixpoint’s great lineup of beers join the wide selection of craft beers available in Wisconsin,” added Jayme Nawrocki, Vice President of Beer Barons Milwaukee Cooperative.

New and old friends of the brewery can join in the excitement at numerous launch events throughout the state. Seasonal varieties such as Harbinger Saison will be featured at upcoming events for Milwaukee Beer Week in late April and Madison Beer Week in early May.

About Sixpoint Brewery:

Sixpoint Brewery was born out of an 800 square foot garage in Brooklyn, New York City in 2004 by homebrewer Shane Welch, who had amassed over 1000 individual homebrew recipes. The brewery’s name is derived from the ancient six-pointed brewers’ star, which had symbolically adorned the walls and equipment of ancient breweries since at least the Medieval period. Sixpoint’s motto is “Beer is Culture” to highlight the human trajectory — the earliest human civilizations were founded upon the cultivation of cereal grains for making beer. Sixpoint aims to perpetually inspire the art, creativity, and community generated through beer by acknowledging the history of the craft, while forging ahead to inspire culture in a modern setting.

Sixpoint Wholesalers:

NYC – Long Island – Westchester – Union Beer Distributors – (718) 497-2407

Upstate NY – TJ Sheehan Distributors – (315) 451-7250

Hudson Valley – Tri-Valley Beverage – (315) 853-3955

New Jersey – Hunterdon Brewing Company – (908) 454-7445

Massachusetts – Craft Brewers Guild – (978) 777-5525

Philadelphia – 5 counties – Origlio Beverage – (215) 698-9500

Rhode Island – Craft Beer Guild of Rhode Island – (401) 305-3838

New Hampshire – Craft Beer Guild of New Hampshire – (603) 319-8508

Pittsburgh & Western PA – Vecenie’s Distributing Co. – (412) 821-4618

Lancaster, York, & South Central PA – Ace Beer Distributor – (717) 755-0774

Harrisburg & Vicinity, PA – Westy Beer Distributor – (717) 737-2621

Allentown & Eastern PA – Shangy’s Beer Distributor – (610) 967-6793

St Marys & Vicinity, PA – St Marys Beverage – (814) 781-1968

Maryland & Washington DC – Legends Ltd – (410) 918-2537

Virginia – Specialty Beverage of Virginia – (804) 749-8016

Vermont – Craft Beer Guild of Vermont – (802)-861-3014

Indiana – Cavalier Distributors – (317) 358-1970