Societe Brewing Expands into Northern California

Societe Brewing is expanding its distribution footprint into Northern California, beginning April 11. The San Diego, California-based brewery now distributes in all key California markets through “100% independent distributors,” Societe founder and CEO Doug Constantiner announced Monday during the California Craft Brewers Association (CCBA) Members Conference.

Joining Societe’s distribution network are Saccani Distribution (Sacramento), Delta Pacific Beverage Company (Monterey, Fresno, and East Bay) Morris Distributing (San Francisco, Sonoma, Marin, Napa, Lake & Mendocino), Stone Distribution (Southern California) and Alford Distributing (Imperial County).

“Outside of running a couple kegs to the Bay and Sacramento over the years, we haven’t had a significant presence in NorCal until now,” Constantiner said in a press release. “With these new partners, we’re looking forward to introducing Societe to a new demographics (sic) of beer lovers and serving our loyal fans across the state.”

In 2021, Societe changed wholesalers from Scout Distributing to Stone Distributing for Southern California coverage. Partnerships with Delta, Pacific Beverage and Morris were each added last year.

Now that brewery has expanded throughout California, it will begin exploring distribution outside of its home state for the first time. Constantiner previously told Brewbound that the Pacific Northwest, Arizona and Nevada are all in consideration.

Societe has quadrupled production in the past 24 months, and plans to “double again over the next two years,” Constantiner said during Monday’s CCBA panel. In December, Constantiner told Brewbound that he expects the brewery to produce at least 22,000 barrels in 2022, up from 14,000 barrels in 2021.

Leading Societe’s growth is The Pupil IPA (7.5% ABV), which accounts for 50% of the brewery’s total production. In March, the company launched a new core brand – Bulbous Flowers hazy IPA (7% ABV) – joining its lineup of The Harlot blonde ale (5.7% ABV), The Coachman Session IPA (4.9% ABV) and Light Beer lager (4.5% ABV).

Societe’s core beers, as well as its limited-release specialty IPAs, are available in 12 oz. 6-packs throughout its distribution network at retailers including Trader Joe’s, BevMo and Whole Foods, and at its taproom in San Diego.