Stay informed as breweries expand their presence and read the latest beer industry news relating to distribution, wholesale, and direct store delivery (DSD). From reporting on changes in the distribution of products, to diving into the current state of play between brewers and distributors, the latest industry news and analysis provide context and best practices within a complex beer distribution network.
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Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits’ ambitions for Anheuser-Busch InBev’s portfolio aren’t limited to New York. The wine and spirits juggernaut has struck another deal for a red network distributor, this time for the assets of Eagle Rock Distributing Co. in Colorado.
The multi-market deal between Reyes Beverage Group and Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) is moving forward as the companies announced they’ve entered into purchase agreements for Reyes to acquire RNDC’s operations in 11 markets.
A pair of big red network distribution deals were announced in the last 24 hours. Anheuser-Busch InBev has agreed to purchase the distribution rights of its brands, as well as “certain craft/NA brands,” from Advance Beverage Company in Bakersfield, California. Meanwhile, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits inked a deal for independent A-B distributor Clare Rose on Long Island.
Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers is attempting to sever its relationship with Atlantic Beverage Distributors, its Massachusetts wholesaler. The Framingham, Massachusetts-based craft brewery provided Atlantic with notice on January 14, two days after franchise law reform was enacted in the state.
Boochcraft, the country’s #1 selling hard kombucha, announces major East Coast distribution expansion to New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. The five-year-old hard kombucha company, which prides itself on using whole organic fruit and fair trade ingredients for its 7% ABV beverages, is a staple at retailers like Whole Foods, Sprouts, Erewhon, and other national chains.
Night Shift Brewing is now available throughout the entire state of Maine. The expansion occurred after the brewery initially launched in the state with a focus on Portland and surrounding areas. Based on early success, they decided to make their beers available throughout the state.
Oregon lawmakers are considering a tax hike on alcoholic beverages that would increase taxes on malt beverages by $70 per barrel. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Rescue Plan, a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief bill in the early hours of Saturday, February 27. The bill includes a $25 billion fund for grants for bars, restaurants and breweries.
The Reyes Beer Division remains a very active acquirer in the state of California. The largest beer wholesaler in the U.S. continued to add to its business in the state today as its Harbor Distributing subsidiary signed an agreement to acquire Redding Distributing Company in Northern California.
Anheuser-Busch InBev may be looking inward for a possible successor for CEO Carlos Brito. According to Bloomberg News, Michel Doukeris, CEO of A-B’s U.S. business, is the front-runner to succeed Brito.
Consumers spent $97 million on craft beer through e-commerce in 2020, which accounted for 24% of all beer category dollar sales online. In brick-and-mortar stores, however, craft beer makes up 12.6% of all dollar sales. In fact, craft has the second largest dollar share behind flavored malt beverages (32%), which include hard seltzers.
San Diego-based independent wholesaler Scout Distribution will begin distributing the Port Brewing and Tiny Bubbles brands beginning March 1, the San Marcos, California craft brewery announced today.
Des Moines, Iowa-based Exile Brewing Company is expanding its distribution reach even further in the state of Illinois after launching in the Chicago suburbs of Aurora, Naperville, Wheaton, and Elgin last week.
After 15 years, Port Brewing LLC (Port Brewing and The Lost Abbey) notified Stone Distributing last week that it was giving 60 days’ notice and terminating its distribution contract without cause.
Morganton, North Carolina-based Catawba Brewing Company acquired Skytown Beer Company, a brewpub in Wilmington, North Carolina, in a deal that closed February 10. Fifteen months after retrenching to focus on its brewpub, Boulder Beer’s portfolio will return to distribution in 28 states through a partnership with Stem Ciders and contract brewer Sleeping Giant in Denver.
Stone Distributing Company teased a move to a larger distribution center last week. The distribution arm of San Diego’s Stone Brewing Company today officially announced the move of its operations to the former Markstein Beverage Co. warehouse in San Marcos.
Ride-sharing tech behemoth Uber Technologies has struck a deal to acquire on-demand alcohol delivery marketplace Drizly for $1.1 billion in stock and cash, the companies announced today.
Stone Brewing Company has sold its distribution rights in Santa Clara County to Matagrano, which will begin distribution of the San Diego-based craft brewery’s portfolio beginning March 1.
