Archives for January 2020

ESCONDIDO, Calif. – In the spirit of all the exploratory missions deployed across the galaxy — be they spacecraft, Viking or other — Stone Brewing launches Stone Viking Space Probe Double IPA. The 8.5% ABV beer boldly goes where no hazy brew has gone before with an unchartered combination of hops and Belgian Candi Sugar that earns it a spot among the ranks of Stone’s genre-defying creations.

The beer’s name is a nod to the legendary space probes, Viking 1 and Viking 2, celebrated for their far reaches of space exploration. Here on earth, Stone charts a constant course of discovery across the world of beer. Not quite the 34 million-mile trip to Mars, but an epic destination still, this asteroid of a beer hails from Stone Brewing – Napa. It’s within this small batch spacecraft of craft that many of Stone’s most adventurous brewing techniques are explored.

Stone Viking Space Probe Double IPA was the third beer ever produced at Stone Brewing – Napa. Its flavor profile was astonishing – lingering on palates and winning over craft beer connoisseurs in the same way it thrilled Napa’s prestigious wine drinkers. Naturally, both groups recognize that it takes a particular expertise and knowledge of ingredients to create such an experience. Stone Brewing Senior Manager of Brewing & Innovation – Small Batch, Steve Gonzalez explained:

“I’ve never seen this combination of ingredients before. Citra hops, as their name implies, add citrus flavors but also stone fruit. I get a ton of ripe peach notes. Ella hops create the tropical flavors, but not the typical stuff – more complex tropical flavors, like Papaya. Belgian Candi Sugar offers two benefits, a perceived sweetness, and a dryness. So, there’s this pillowy extra layer of sweetness and it’s still more dry than most hazy beers. All around balanced with lingering wheat and peach notes, I really think we nailed it. I can’t get enough of this one.”

Stone Viking Space Probe Double IPA is dark gold with a subtle haze like that of a far-off nebula. Pineapple, peach, lychee, watermelon, papaya and even marshmallow can be found in the aroma. Ella and Citra hops impart flavors of tropical fruit, notably pineapple, peach, papaya and sweet guava, along with a hint of lime zest. It’s creamy and smooth with warmth on the finish.

Stone Viking Space Probe Double IPA releases the week of January 27, 2020 in 12oz six-pack cans, 22oz bottles and draft for a limited time. It is brewed for life on Earth – Vikings, Space Explorers and Average Joes – but if intelligent life exists in the unknown, there’s a very good chance they’ll like it too.

QUICK FACTS

Name: Stone Viking Space Probe Double IPA

Release Date: Week of January 27, 2020

Web: Stonebrewing.com/vikingspaceprobe

Stats: 8.5% ABV; 80 IBUs

Availability: Special Release

Packaging: 12oz six-pack cans, 22oz bottles & draft

Find Beer: Find.stonebrewing.com

TASTING NOTES

Appearance: Dark gold hazy, fluffy white head

Aroma: Pineapple, peach, lychee, watermelon, papaya and marshmallow

Taste: A huge mix of tropical fruit, especially pineapple and sweet guava, along with lime zest and a hint of cilantro

Palate: Creamy and smooth with some warming on the finish from the higher alcohol content

FOOD PAIRINGS

Starters: Dry Pot Cauliflower*, Stone Mac N Cheese*, Grilled Artichokes, Shrimp Kabobs

Soups and Salads: Mexican Street Corn Salad, Hot and Sour Soup, Massaman Curry Coconut Soup

Main Courses: The Angry Chicken (Spicy Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich)*, Bangers & Mash*, Grilled Hawaiian Teriyaki Burger, Panko Crusted Halibut

Desserts: Honey-Glazed Tropical Fruit Bruschetta, Toasted Coconut Cheesecake, Lemon-Lime Sorbet, Vanilla Pineapple Upside Down Cake

*Menu items available at Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens – Escondido and Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens – Liberty Station

ABOUT STONE BREWING
Founded by Greg Koch and Steve Wagner in 1996, the groundbreaking San Diego-based Stone Brewing is the 9th largest craft brewer in the United States. Recognized as an award-winning industry leader, Stone has been listed on the Inc. 500 | 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies list 12 times and has been called the “All-time Top Brewery on Planet Earth” by BeerAdvocate magazine twice. The multifaceted company operates brewing facilities in Escondido, CA and Richmond, VA, in addition to tap room locations throughout the US, Germany and China. Known for its bold, flavorful and largely hop-centric beers, Stone has earned a reputation for brewing outstanding, unique beers while maintaining an unwavering commitment to sustainability, business ethics, philanthropy and the art of brewing… and pledging to never, ever, sell out to the man. For more information on Stone Brewing, please visit stonebrewing.com or the company’s social media sites: Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NoDa Brewing Company is pleased to announce another expansion, adding additional territory in the state of South Carolina with Southern Eagle Distributing of Southern Crown Partners.

NoDa Brewing company will enter the Charleston area market with World Beer Cup American IPA Gold medal winner Hop Drop ‘n Roll IPA, Radio Haze Hazy/Juicy IPA, CAVU Blonde Ale, Great American Beer Festival Silver medal winner Coco Loco Porter, Jam Session Pale Ale, and more. Draft will be available for all brands, with select brands available in 16oz canned four-packs starting mid-February.

“Those folks who have followed the expansion of NoDa Brewing know that we are slow and deliberate when it comes to expanding our distribution territory,” said Todd Ford, co-owner of NoDa Brewing, “That is why I am so excited about our new partnership with Southern Eagle Distribution in Charleston, South Carolina. NoDa Brewing will have the ability to share our award winning beers through one of the strongest distribution channels in the Southeast. Making fresh, creative, gold medal-winning beers for our southern neighbors and then delivering them with passion and care: that is what is all about. To me, it is well worth the wait.”

“We are incredibly excited to be bringing NoDa’s award winning portfolio of beers to the Lowcountry,” said Matthew Galentine, Craft Brands Director of Southern Eagle of Southern Crown Partners. Southern Eagle Distributing was founded as Fitzgerald Ice Company in 1907 and completed a merger with Crown Beverages Inc. in 2018 to become Southern Crown Partners. Today, Southern Crown Partners employs over 550 team members under the combined umbrella in South Carolina and Georgia.

NoDa Brewing Company will be distributed by Southern Eagle in the following South Carolinian counties: Bamberg, Beaufort, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Colleton, Darlington, Dillon, Dorchester, Florence, Hampton, Jasper, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Orangeburg, Sumter, and Williamsburg.

About NoDa Brewing
Opening its tap room doors in 2011, NoDa became one of Charlotte’s first craft breweries. Three short years later, Hop Drop ‘N Roll — their most popular IPA — took home the World Beer Cup Gold Award in the competition’s largest category. This recognition propelled the brewery onto a national stage, and attributed to the quick expansion from a 15-barrel brewhouse in the NoDa neighborhood to a 60 barrel brewhouse in nearby North End. Today, NoDa Brewing Company continues to brew award-winning beers, stand as a pillar of creativity and connection in the community, and add to the state’s thriving craft beer economy.

For More Information: nodabrewing.com/news/

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PORTLAND & GORHAM, Maine — Lone Pine Brewing Company is now distributing to the states of New Jersey, New York, and Utah.

The Portland and Gorham based Maine brewery expanded its growing distribution network to include these three new states. The move comes after a strategic approach to expansion in several states last summer was met with success.

“We had a really great year and continue to see excitement in new markets about our beers and what we’re doing,” said John Paul, co-founder, Lone Pine Brewing. “Based on the reception we’re getting, balanced against our ability to continue filling the shelves here in Maine, we’re excited to introduce Lone Pine to more craft beer-lovers around the country.”

Lone Pine will distribute in these new markets via Golden Beverage in Utah, Remarkable Liquids and DeCrescente in NY, and Remarkable Liquids in NJ.

Lone Pine Brewing also drew recent attention for medaling in the hotly-contested Hazy Imperial IPA category at the Great American Beer Festival in October. The winning beer, Chaos Emeralds, scored a Bronze medal, beating out nearly two hundred competitors.

“I’ve been going to GABF since I was young,” remarked Tom Madden, co-founder and head brewer, Lone Pine Brewing. “Getting recognized in that capacity was a dream come true. It’s something that, as a brewer and brewery owner, I’ve always placed pretty high on my bucket list.”

Lone Pine Brewing will now be available in ten states, with New Jersey, New York, and Utah joining Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

About Lone Pine Brewing Company
Lone Pine Brewing Company is a Gorham and Portland, Maine, based brewery focusing on American ales and small batch specialty beers that feature unique, local ingredients. Founded in 2016, Lone Pine currently operates its production facilities in Gorham, with tasting rooms in both Gorham and on Anderson Street in the East Bayside neighborhood of Portland. The Brewers Association named Lone Pine the fourth fastest growing brewery in the nation in 2018. Learn more at www.lonepinebrewery.com.

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Wild Leap is excited to announce Truck Chaser Creamsicle Double IPA is re-released into production! First brewed early in 2019, Creamsicle Double IPA is back by popular demand and returning to shelves the last week of January 2020.

Brewed with a flavor combination of ripe oranges, vanilla bean and milk sugar, Creamsicle Double IPA is designed to taste like a creamsicle straight from the ice cream truck. With a 93% rating from Beer Connoisseur, Truck Chaser Creamsicle is Wild Leap’s number one ‘most requested to return’ beer of all time.

“Creamsicle Double IPA was our first experiment with ice-cream-inspired beer,” shares Chris Elliott, Wild Leap’s Chief Brewing Officer. “It’s something we’ve been planning as a salute to my past in the ice cream industry.”

With a fresh orange aroma that leads into faint vanilla, Truck Chaser Creamsicle is a complex, but refreshing and drinkable beer. The ingredients complement each other well, playing harmonious roles that give Creamsicle its unique flavor.

“We’ve had so much fun creating this beer and fine-tuning the blend of hops and creamy milkshake flavor,” explains Wild Leap co-founder Anthony Rodriguez. “We’re excited it’s back and we can’t wait to share what we’ve got in store for 2020.”

Truck Chaser Creamsicle returns to the market today. It will be available for purchase in the Wild Leap tasting room as well as stores, bars and restaurants throughout Georgia this week!

Like many Wild Leap beers, Creamsicle Double IPA will be available for a limited time. For inquiries about Truck Chaser Creamsicle or to request samples, email info@wildleap.com.

San Francisco, California — Two renowned American breweries, 21st Amendment Brewery of San Francisco, CA, and Boulevard Brewing Company of Kansas City, MO, today announced a friendly wager on Super Bowl LIV as the San Francisco 49ers face off against the Kansas City Chiefs in Miami, FL on Sunday, February 2, 2020. Boulevard officially challenged the Bay Area brewery to a Big Game bet in which the losing city’s brewery will send a couple of cases of beer to the winner and, most importantly, donate $1,000 to a local charity of the winner’s choice. To cap it off, the loser’s Head Brewer must wear the winning team’s jersey, snap a picture, and post it to social media. 21st Amendment has accepted the bet.

“There is nothing more Kansas City than cheering on your favorite team with your favorite local beer, and we’ve been honored to be a part of those celebrations for three decades,” said Natalie Gershon, VP of Marketing at Boulevard Brewing. “Now we look forward to the biggest moment, on the biggest stage. This is our year. This is a #KingdomWithoutBorders, and we hope the country joins us in raising a toast to the city that has waited 50 years to bring home an NFL championship.”

Shaun O’Sullivan, Co-Founder & Brewmaster of 21st Amendment commented, “Bay Area football and craft beer have a long-standing tradition of excellence. The 21st Amendment Brewery is excited to be part of the Bay Area’s enthusiasm cheering on our beloved San Francisco 49ers in this year’s Super Bowl.”

The two breweries are nationally recognized for their award-winning portfolios of specialty beers, including their lauded wheat beers, Hell or High Watermelon Wheat Beer from 21st Amendment and Boulevard’s Unfiltered Wheat Beer. Boulevard is the largest specialty brewer in the Midwest, and 21st Amendment is rated among the top 50 craft brewers in America. With the incredible support of their beloved communities, and to commemorate the big game, the companies agreed there was no better way to celebrate a victory than a donation to a local charity.

Boulevard has selected Veterans Community Project as their non-profit of choice, and 21st Amendment chose Project Night Night.

Leading up to Super Bowl LIV, 21st Amendment Brewery will serve a limited-edition beer Kittle Kraze Hazy IPA at its San Leandro taproom and San Francisco brewpub to celebrate the San Francisco 49ers’ appearance in Super Bowl LIV. Boulevard Brewing will release a commemorative Super Bowl beer following the Big Game.

For more information, please visit: www.21st-amendment.com boulevard.com

About 21st Amendment Brewery
Twenty years ago (established in 2000), Nico Freccia and Shaun O’Sullivan opened the doors to the 21st Amendment brewpub in San Francisco’s historic South Park neighborhood. In addition to quickly becoming one of the city’s favorite pubs, 21st Amendment began expanding beyond the Bay Area by helping to pioneer the movement to canned craft beer. Known for their witty names and delicious brews, 21st Amendment offers year-round selections, as well as seasonal offerings and their infamous “Insurrection Series” of once-in-a-while limited-edition releases. Sold in 28 states plus Washington D.C., 21st Amendment produces beer in its state-of-the-art brewery headquarters in San Leandro, California and is among the top 50 craft beer brewers in America.

About Boulevard Brewing:
Boulevard Brewing Company is the largest specialty brewer in the Midwest, producing fresh, flavorful beers using traditional ingredients and the best of both old and new brewing techniques. Known for their full flavor, exceptional balance and superior quality, Boulevard beers are available in 41 states and 11 countries. For more information, visit boulevard.com or follow us on facebook.com/Boulevard, twitter.com/Boulevard_Beer and instagram.com/boulevard_beer.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Old North Premium Lager reminisces on the roots ofAmerican beer while evoking the storied culture and rich history of North Carolinians. An embodiment of the everyman, Old North seeks to be the go-to beer for the surfers and the thru-hikers, the foodies and the cookout kings and queens. Launching in January 2020, Old North Premium Lager weaves a narrative of nostalgia and familiarity to tell the authentic stories, both ancient and current, of its North Carolina neighbors. Available in six-packs of 12-ounce cans, twelve-packs of 12-ounce cans, 16-ounce single cans, and on draft, it will quickly become a new “Old” favorite.

Old North is the brainchild of Hi-Wire Brewing co-owner, Chris Frosaker, who has been dreaming of its inception for the past two years, and after embarking on a brewery expansion in Fall 2019, he decided it was the appropriate time to set forth on making Old North a reality. Frosaker noted, “When the MillerCoors brewery in Eden, North Carolina, closed in 2017, we realized there was no longer an approachable, well-priced, premium lager being brewed on a large scale in North Carolina. Two of Hi-Wire’s values as a company are approachability and community. Combining those missions with our staff’s love of light lagers and this new hole int he market, we decided to go down this ambitious path of creating Old North.”

While Old North exists as something separate from Hi-Wire Brewing, its roots are very much one and the same. Quality lagers are the name of the game and the foundation on which both brands were created. ​Brewed with 100% barley, the finest hops and grains and crafted in the tradition of a classic American Lager, Old North uses only the purest of North Carolina mountain water and quality ingredients. ​At the beginning of an adventure and the end of a long workday when you’re reaching for something refreshing, Old North offers the comfort of an American classic while being exceptionally local. Regional Sales Director, Chris McLain, explained, “​OldNorth is here to pick up the mantle of the beer that drinks like a typical domestic but is brewed close to home. It’s not a craft beer. It’s a beer for drinking. It’s a beer we can all grab and cheer,‘​Hurrah! Hurrah! To the good Old North State!​’”

Spanning from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Outer Banks, the Old North brand is an homage to you. The red, white, blue, and gold branding of Old North, embodies the heritage ofNorth Carolinian culture and evokes feelings of a timeless American lager while also visually speaking to the modern-day beer drinker. Creative Director for Hi-Wire Brewing, Javier Bolea,“wanted to make a can that held an emotional connection to all North Carolinians. Something that they are proud to drink whether it is at a dive bar at two in the morning or at your grandma’s house for Sunday dinner.” ​Made by North Carolina for North Carolina, we cannot wait to finally hear bar patrons say, “Gimme an Oldie!”

About Old North Premium Lager
Founded in 2019, Old North Premium Lager is a new brand of beer brewed in Asheville, NorthCarolina, as a division of Hi-Wire Brewing, a craft brewery known for producing approachable and balanced lagers and ales. Old North Premium Lager can be found on draft and in cans across North Carolina beginning in January 2020.

To learn more about the company, please visit ​oldnorthbeer.com. To connect with Old North on Instagram, please visit ​@oldnorthbeerTo connect with Old North on Facebook, please visit ​facebook.com/oldnorthbeerTo connect with Old North on Twitter, please visit ​@oldnorthbeer

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EAGLE, Colo. — Introducing Bonfire Brewing’s new canned a new beer from the Community Creator Series, Good Boy Peanut Butter Porter. This beer became available locally in canned 12 oz. 6-packs in December, followed by state-wide shipments in early January. Following strong positive feedback from its tap room customers, Bonfire plans to produce and package the beer through March 2020.

The base recipe of this new beer was inspired by their popular Tent Pole Vanilla Porter— Bonfire’s brewers upped the chocolate malt and added peanut butter flavoring resulting in a rich and tasty cold-weather treat. The name, “Good Boy,” is a nod to Bonfire’s association with all things dogs, and the common use of peanut butter as a puppy training reward.

Earlier this year, Bonfire launched the Community Creator Series of limited release beers with Après-Cot, followed by Pink-I Raspberry IPA, and GrapepHruit Kettle Sour IPA.

A nitro version of Good Boy will be available at Bonfire in weeks to come.

About Bonfire Brewing
Craft enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers gather around Bonfire Brewing in Eagle, Colorado, where the beers are driven by quality, curiosity, and community. Founded in 2010, Bonfire continues on their path of sustainable growth with cans of their year-round beers available in liquor stores and restaurants across Colorado. Gather ‘round Bonfire online at bonfirebrewing.com.

For More Information: radcraftbeer.com/news/bonfiregoodboy

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AVONDALE ESTATES, Ga. – The Lost Druid, an “own-premise” brewery in Avondale Estates is now the first brewery in DeKalb County powered with solar energy provided by Velo Solar.

The 14.1 kW solar installation was created and is maintained by Atlanta-based Velo Solar. The array will save The Lost Druid as much as 15 percent on its annual power bill. In addition to that cost savings, it will reduce the operation’s carbon footprint by 42 metric tons of CO2 each year.

Created through a special financing arrangement offered by Velo Solar, the solar equipment is provided through a Solar Energy Procurement Agreement (SEPA). This allowed the panels and other infrastructure to be installed at no upfront cost to The Lost Druid.

The Lost Druid’s solar array will produce 21,514 kilowatt hours of power annually. This helps to run the brewery’s 6,800 square-foot operation, including its brewery, taproom, aging facility, kitchen, and upstairs event space.

Stacia Familo-Hopek, owner and co-founder of The Lost Druid, said the decision to “go solar” is in keeping with the brewery’s core mission.

“The Druids respected nature, and this is one of numerous measures we employ to minimize our impact on the environment,” she said. “Other environmentally sensitive initiatives we use include reclamation of our chilling water, a natural carbonation process, LED lighting and providing spent grain to local farmers for livestock feed.”

She said The Lost Druid selected Velo Solar to provide the solar installation because of Velo’s demonstrated expertise and customer-centric approach.

Britt Lothridge, director of sales for Velo Solar, said Georgia business owners have more options than ever to add solar to their energy resources. SEPAs make it easy to save money and contribute to a healthier environment, he explained.

“This is a great option for forward-thinking clients who want to reduce their reliance on utility-provided power without a hefty upfront investment,” he said. “They not only pay less for electricity month-to-month, they also reduce reliance on fossil fuels.”

About Velo Solar
Velo Solar is one of Georgia’s largest EPC solar firms providing engineering, consultation, installation and digital monitoring for renewable energy solutions designed to meet customers’ needs. Certified to the highest standards in the solar industry, Velo Solar is dedicated to system quality, customer service and reliable performance. For more information, visitwww.velosolar.com.

About The Lost Druid
Focused on serving beer lovers in its taproom rather than selling packaged products through retail outlets, The Lost Druid offers more than 20 frequently changing taps with a diverse selection of beers for a range of tastes. The Lost Druid’s facilities at 2866 Washington Street, Avondale Estates, GA, include its brewery, cellar/aging facility, taproom, kitchen and upstairs mezzanine with private event space. Two pet-friendly outdoor patios are enhanced with extensive landscaping and bike racks nearby. Visit thelostdruid.com for more information and updates, or search @thelostdruid on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

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IDAHO SPRINGS, Colo. — Westbound & Down Brewing Company, an Idaho Springs, Colorado-based brewpub, and Culture Beverage, a Westminster, Colorado-based distributor, announce a new partnership that will bring Westbound’s award-winning beers to liquor stores, bars, and restaurants across Colorado.

“We are really excited to have Westbound join our list of partners here at Culture,’ says General Manager Xandy Bustamante, ‘Westbound makes some of the best beers in the state, and their barrel and sour program is taking off. We couldn’t be happier to have them join our family.”

Westbound & Down was named Mid-size Brewpub of the Year at the 2019 Great American Beer Festival, winning medals for their Westbound Double IPA and Double Barrel Louie, part of their limited release series. Westbound & Down had been self-distributing but was ready to take the leap to full scale distribution as their beers have become more and more popular.

“This is a great opportunity for us to join a team of similar-minded breweries and beer enthusiasts.” says Sean Dugan, Sales Director at WB&D. “When we look at Culture’s portfolio, we see breweries that inspire us and we’re very excited to be represented alongside some of the most respected beer brands in the world.”

Culture will take over distribution starting January 11th, 2020, and will be distributing their draft beers, 750ml specialty barrel-aged and sour beers, and brand-new 4-pack 16oz cans across the Front Range and I-70 Corridor.

“We are really happy to be distributing such a well-respected local producer,’ says Culture Beverage Vice President Lauren Shepard, ‘especially since they are a great group of people making excellent beers. We are happy to be able to work with them to share those beers with more Coloradoans.”

Westbound & Down will be the second local brewery that Culture Beverage has begun distributing since opening in April of 2019, joining Lafayette, Colorado based Cellar West Artisan Ales, alongside international makers such as Drie Fonteinen, Cantillon, Oliver’s Cider and Perry, and many more.

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MANISTEE, Mich. – North Channel Brewing has announced it is partnering with Ludington Beverage for distribution across seven West Michigan counties.

“We’re eager to give craft beer lovers across West Michigan a taste of beers brewed up north, and we’re excited to partner with a local distributor to make it happen,” said Dawn Ford, owner of North Channel Brewing. “Our beers tell the story and history of Manistee, and we’re proud to share that story with West Michigan craft beer drinkers – one pint at a time.”

North Channel Brewing opened in 2017. The brewery is in the historic North Channel Building on Washington Avenue in Downtown Manistee and is situated right next to the Manistee River and the drawbridge.

Captain Piles Pilsner and Manistee’s IPA will be craft beer lovers’ first introduction to the Manistee craft brewery.

Captain Piles is an easy drinking, Czech-style Pilsner brewed with Pilsen Malt and Saaz Hops. Manistee’s IPA is North Channel’s flagship IPA and is brewed with two row and rye malt with heavy additions of Citra hops to produce a beer bursting with citrusy aromas while maintaining a balanced malt flavor.

“At Ludington Beverage, we’re proud to promote growth, choices and competition by working with local craft breweries – like North Channel Brewing – to help them succeed today and into the future,” said Tad Reed, president of Ludington Beverage. “We’re honored North Channel Brewing chose to partner with us to help tell their story and introduce more craft beer lovers to what’s brewing in Manistee. Ludington Beverage has a long history of supporting the Manistee community and we are excited to participate in its further economic development.”

About Ludington Beverage
Owned and operated entirely by veterans, Ludington Beverage is a fourth-generation family owned beer distributor located in Ludington. The distributor services retailers in Manistee, Mason, Oceana, Lake, Osceola, and parts of Benzie and Newaygo Counties.

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