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Saucy Brew Works Expands into Kentucky Distribution

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CLEVELAND, Ohio – Saucy Brew Works announced the state-wide distribution expansion into the Kentucky market, in partnership with Heidelberg Distributing (Heidelberg), a family-owned and operated business for over 84 years. Heidelberg services more than 26,000 retail and industry establishments across all counties in Ohio and Kentucky. This strategic distribution expansion marks a significant milestone in Saucy Brew Works’ mission to share its passion for craft beer with enthusiasts throughout the Midwest and beyond.

From 2019-2022, Heidelberg’s distribution rights covered the majority of Ohio, excluding 9 counties in Saucy’s home market of Cleveland, Ohio. During this time, Saucy’s portfolio of products saw a total draft volume growth of +115%, and a total package volume growth of +84%. With total points of distribution (PODs) up +57%, Heidelberg’s impact has been seen across all channels. In 2023, Saucy announced the full transfer of home-market distribution rights to Heidelberg, setting the stage of the strongest year to date.

Heidelberg Distributing, with a legacy spanning over 80 years, is a trusted name in the beverage industry. Their commitment to quality and exceptional service aligns perfectly with Saucy Brew Works’ dedication to producing outstanding craft beers. With Heidelberg’s footprint extending across state lines, the potential for expansion into Kentucky was always top of mind for Saucy in 2023.

Kentucky beer lovers can now enjoy Saucy Brew Works’ diverse range of styles, from hazy IPAs to rich stouts, all crafted with the finest ingredients and a passion for brewing excellence. Saucy’s flagship beers such as Juicy Asap – American IPA, and Love You, Bye – Hazy Imperial IPA, will be available in bars, restaurants, and retail locations across the state.

Brent Zimmerman, Co-Founder and CEO of Saucy Brew Works said, “We’re thrilled to partner with Heidelberg Distributing to bring Saucy Brew Works to the beautiful state of Kentucky. Our team has poured their heart and soul into creating these exceptional brews, and we can’t wait for beer enthusiasts in Kentucky to savor the Saucy experience.”

Chris Emmons, Vice President of Sales of Heidelberg Distributing said, “We are excited to extend Saucy’s presence beyond state borders into Kentucky. The passion and dedication exhibited by the Saucy team align seamlessly with Heidelberg’s 85-year legacy in distribution, which began with a single man and a truck in 1938. We are honored that Saucy Brew Works has placed their trust in us to further expand the reach of their delicious brews.”

About Saucy Brew Works

Founded in 2017, Saucy Brew Works is a Cleveland-based craft brewery sercing up a wide range of high-quality craft beer. With five locations in Ohio, Saucy Brew Works is firmly founded on a commitment to their first-rate people that, as a team, create consistently superior, quality products. Advocating for change, giving until it hurts, and pushing creative and scientific boundaries all while fostering a positive environment for growth are key pillars in Saucy’s success. In 2020, Saucy expanded its product offering with the introduction of Saucy Coffee – the sub-brand of Saucy Brew Works can be found in any of their four Brewpub/Coffeehouse locations as well as online and on Amazon. In 2019, Saucy was awarded Best Brewery in Cleveland, followed in 2020 with the Outstanding Small Business Award for their community-driven efforts during the pandemic. In December of 2022, Saucy Brew Works announced the acquistion of Cartridge Brewing, Maineville, Ohio’s premier craft brewery with historic roots, nestled along the banks of the Little Miami River.

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Anderson Valley Brewing Company Unveils Redesign for Iconic Boont Amber Ale

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BOONVILLE, California— Northern California’s Anderson Valley Brewing Company (AVBC), a pioneer in the craft beer industry, unveiled the redesign of its flagship beer, Boont Amber Ale. The Boont redesign is a milestone in the brewery’s overall rebranding process, which has been rolled out over the past few years.

“Since the start of the rebranding process, we prioritized the brewery’s longtime legacy and spirit. We owed it to the brand and all the work put in by the people who came before us. The label redesign of Boont, our most iconic beer, is a landmark and something we have been putting energy towards since my family purchased the brewery in 2019,” said AVBC President and CEO Kevin McGee. “Boont Amber Ale is the beer that put AVBC on the map. It’s a foundational part of what we think of as craft beer today and literally introduced legions of beer drinkers to craft beer so redesigning the package was something that we approached very carefully.”

The new package blends the brewery’s rich heritage with a fresh, modern appeal while preserving the distinctive qualities that have made AVBC a beloved classic. Bringing the brewery’s mascot Barkley, who has been a fixture of the brewery since 1987, front-and-center on the cans is a way to call back to the heritage of AVBC while inviting a whimsical connection with consumers.

Boont Amber Ale is a cornerstone of Anderson Valley Brewing Company’s portfolio and the first beer made at the brewery 35 years ago. With the launch of Boont’s redesign, AVBC continues to invest in Amber Ale at a time when established breweries have recently vacated the category and it’s paying off: while sales in the Amber Ale category are down YOY, Boont sales have increased.

“We love Amber Ale and we love the Amber category. Contrary to the impressions gleaned by some larger breweries retreating from their Amber programs, we are continuing to see a lot of strength in the category for well-crafted Ambers and that makes sense – it’s a very drinkable and versatile style that has a lot of awareness and history with the craft consumer. Assuming your Amber actually tastes good, it’s a great category to be in.”

AVBC’s new packaging features full-wrap recyclable cardboard cartons and aluminum cans and is the most sustainable packaging available. The new Boont Amber Ale cans have been shipping from the brewery since the beginning of September and will be available on shelves nationwide.

About Anderson Valley Brewing Company

Founded in 1987, Anderson Valley Brewing Company brews hand-crafted, authentic beers with balance, complexity, and an unwavering commitment to sustainably producing world-class beer. As the World’s First Solar Powered Brewery, AVBC leads the craft beer industry as pioneers in responsible brewing and innovators in environmental sustainability practices. Anderson Valley Brewing Company beer is available in 40 states and at its taproom in Boonville, California.

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Hail to the Harris Hazy IPA Release

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DELAPLANE, Virginia – Barrel Oak Winery & Brewery is pleased to announce the release of our Hail to the Harris Hazy IPA. To honor the new era that Josh Harris symbolizes for the Washington Commanders, our team has crafted a celebratory brew.

Get ready to tackle the flavor game with “Hail to the Harris” – a brew that fuses football excitement into every sip! Crafted with Barrel Oak’s farm-grown Cascade hops, then dry hopped with Citra hops, this Hazy New England IPA is smooth and creamy with tropical hints of citrus and mango. Like a game-changing pass, this beer is sure to be your next winning play.

About Barrel Oak Winery & Brewery

Barrel Oak Winery & Brewery is located at 3623 Grove Ln, Delaplane, VA 20144, and is open seven days a week.

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Eastern Market Brewing Co. Launches Its Newest Venture, Elephant & Co.

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DETROIT, Michigan— Eastern Market Brewing Co., one of Michigan’s fastest-growing breweries, is introducing a new concept at 456 Charlotte St, Detroit: “Elephant & Co.” This location will include dozens of self-serve taps featuring the brewery’s wide-ranging beer offerings alongside artisanal Detroit-style pizza.

The Charlotte Street location will be open throughout the day with coffee roasted on-site as part of a Dooped Donut cafe, the company’s vegan donut venture. Dooped Donuts opened its first location at 1555 Broadway, across from Comerica Park, and also distributes its small batch, handcrafted vegan donuts to local cafes.

“Six years ago today, we poured our very first beer at Eastern Market After Dark. We’ve come a long way, and this location will be a representation of everything we’ve learned. The name ‘Elephant & Co.’ is an ode to where it all started, with our elephant logo in Eastern Market, while ‘& Co.’ represents our many other brands. Charlotte Street will be a showcase for our beer, as well as our offerings beyond beer,” reflected Dayne Bartscht, Managing Partner of Eastern Market Brewing Co.

Eastern Market Brewing Co. is known as a trailblazer in the local craft beer market. They are the only brewery in Michigan self-distributing at scale, meaning they not only brew their beer but also deliver it directly to retailers throughout the state. Within its first few years, the brewery reached Michigan’s self-distribution cap, so in 2020, it spearheaded efforts to change the law, successfully increasing the limit. Then in 2021, Eastern Market Brewing Co., while brewing at capacity, acquired the former Roak Brewing Co. site in Royal Oak to act as its primary production facility. Last year, the Royal Oak location became Michigan’s first fully self-service taproom.

Elephant & Co. will maintain this entrepreneurial spirit, with a novel concept yet to be seen in Michigan: pizza delivery which includes beer, straight from the source. Eastern Market Brewing Co. first tested this concept during the pandemic at their sister location, Ferndale Project, and has considered re-launching it ever since. Leveraging its self-distribution infrastructure, the business is uniquely positioned to capitalize on the opportunity with in-house logistics software and a fleet of vehicles.

The new location will open in 2024, as soon as their state and federal brewing permits are approved. Similar to their other ventures, Eastern Market Brewing Co. plans to activate the space while they wait. This will include an event on Friday, October 27 in partnership with their new landlords, Midtown Inc. and Invest Detroit, where all proceeds will be donated to community-based charities within Detroit.

Retail designer, JGA, is overseeing the branding of the space with an emphasis on restoring the look-and-feel from the 1950s when it was a radio parts manufacturer. The interior will pay homage to other tenants of the building, including the Cass Corridor Food Co-op, whose mission and principles were found in old photographs and resonated with the values on which Eastern Market Brewing Co. was founded.

While Charlotte Street is the flagship location for Elephant & Co., the broader vision is to open additional venues throughout the state creating a hub-and-spoke network enabling Eastern Market Brewing Co. to continue its growth trajectory. Plans are in the works to rebrand their Royal Oak location, Lincoln Tap, as an “Elephant & Co.” and start testing concepts there including Detroit-style pizza and barrel-aged beers.

“Midtown Inc. and Invest Detroit’s commitment to the revitalization of Detroit is impressive and we are fortunate for the opportunity to partner with them. Our team is made up of awesome humans who are deeply passionate about the products they craft, the experiences they curate, and the communities they reside in,” said Pauline Knighton-Prueter, VP of Sales & Marketing. “We look forward to delivering meaningful connections and contributing positively to Midtown’s vibrant community.”

About Eastern Market Brewing Company

Eastern Market Brewing Co. is a community-focused brewery and taproom in the heart of Detroit’s Eastern Market, a historic district celebrated for its brewing history. Fusing tradition with experimentation, the craft brewery is known for Elephant Juice, their flagship IPA. The taproom is located at 2515 Riopelle Street in Detroit, MI.

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Viva Beer and Alamo Beer Company Unite to Craft a Bold Future for San Antonio’s Beer Scene

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SAN ANTONIO, Texas – In a union that promises to enhance San Antonio’s craft beer community, VIVA Beer and Alamo Beer Company are thrilled to announce their merger. This exciting merger will bring together the best of both worlds, creating a powerful synergy that will strengthen their shared commitment to crafting exceptional, approachable beer for the San Antonio community and beyond.

For VIVA Beer co-owners, Micheal (MJ) Johnson and Bobby Jones, their innovative style, self-distribution model, and contract brewing partnerships fueled their rapid growth since 2019, and they have become a San Antonio favorite at a rapid pace. After a fortuitous meeting with Alamo Beer Company in 2022, Johnson and Jones saw the Alamo Beer Co. team taking the helm of brewing operations for VIVA. The result was a dynamic partnership built on shared values and a deep passion for San Antonio.

Johnson, co-owner of VIVA Beer, states this merger is not only an exciting next step but also a testament to the mentorship and support they’ve received from the Alamo team. “Eugene has been a mentor of ours since we started. With the help of the Alamo team, we know we can continue to grow the brand throughout San Antonio and beyond.” Jan Matysiak, Alamo Beer’s new VP of Operations and talented brewmaster, is excited to lead the brewery team in continuing the VIVA recipes of their much-beloved craft beer to an even larger fan base.

Eugene Simor, owner of Alamo Beer Co., shared his enthusiasm for the merger, stating, “I have been really impressed with how quickly VIVA has grown and how the beer has resonated with San Antonio.” It was only 20 years ago that Simor was delivering kegs out of his minivan all over San Antonio, and the similarities with VIVA’s growth shed some light on why this is a special event for both companies. Be sure to look for VIVA Beer’s “Ale Camino” which is rigged with taps to pour beer from the back. Some things never change.

As the craft beer scene in San Antonio continues to grow, this merger promises an exciting future, with both VIVA Beer and Alamo Beer Company working hand in hand to craft exceptional experiences, celebrate the essence of San Antonio, and raise a toast to the vibrant craft beer culture that defines our beloved city.

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