Ballast Point Expands Distribution to Minnesota and Illinois W/ Thoughts

Ballast Point Brewing and Spirits announces distribution into midwest states Minnesota and Illinois. Here’s the press release, with my thoughts on matter below. Cheers.

(Chicago, IL) – Today, Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits and Wirtz Beverage announce a new partnership to distribute Ballast Point beers in Illinois and Minnesota. The agreement brings the beers to the Chicago market for the first time and also makes them available statewide in both Illinois and Minnesota. This agreement builds upon an existing partnership in Nevada and makes Ballast Point the first system-wide craft beer partner for Wirtz Beverage.

“By bringing in one partner to handle our distribution needs in multiple states, we are able to focus on what we love and what we do best: making real good beer,” noted Earl Kight, Ballast Point VP of Sales & Marketing. “The Wirtz team is a real match to our values and approach to craft beer. We are really excited about expanding to Chicago and beyond.”

Established in 1996 by a small group of home brewers, Ballast Point is known for adding its own touch to its beers, from bringing a hoppy twist to a porter or adding four types of malt to its amber ale. As a result, the San Diego-based company has earned industry acclaim with three gold medals as well as the ‘Small Brewery of the Year’ award at the World Beer Cup. The Ballast Point portfolio includes more than 50 styles of beer including IPAs, pale ales, amber ales, porters and wheat beers, as well as a family of craft spirits that includes gin, rum, vodka and whiskey.

“Chicago is a great craft beer town and consumers are more knowledgeable and more demanding for great products than ever before,” explained David Kahle Wirtz Beverage Illinois Craft Manager and Master Cicerone. “Our ability to move the Ballast Point brands statewide in both Illinois and Minnesota is a huge advantage.”

“In Minnesota, we’ve changed the way we go to market and are really focused on growing craft beers throughout the state,” said Sam Bremer, Director of Beer Sales, Wirtz Beverage Minnesota. “We’re very excited to count Ballast Point as a partner and share its beers with customers and consumers throughout Minnesota.”

Ballast Point joins Deschutes, Greenbush Brewery and Vanberg & DeWulf as the fourth partner to join the Wirtz Beverage Illinois craft beer portfolio; the company officially entered the craft beer business in January 2013. As for its Minnesota and Nevada affiliates, both boast extensive beer experience and portfolios.

The new agreement becomes effective May 1 in Illinois and July 1 in Minnesota.

About Ballast Point
What started in 1996 as a small group of home brewers who simply wanted to make great beer evolved into the adventurers known as Ballast Point. From bringing a hoppy twist to a porter, or adding four types of malt to its amber ale, to creating a breakthrough gold-medal winning IPA, the San Diego-based company is known for adding its own touch and asking if there’s a better way. Today, an internationally recognized leader in the craft brewing and spirits industry, the company makes over 50 styles of beer and bottles five spirits. For more information, visit www.ballastpoint.com.

About Wirtz Beverage Group
Wirtz Beverage Group is one of the nation’s leading alcohol beverage distributors with operations in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nevada and Wisconsin. With nearly $2 billion in annual sales and nearly 3,000 employees, the company calls the industry’s elite beer, wine and spirit distributors its partners. To learn more about Wirtz Beverage and its partners, connect with the company on Facebook and Twitter.

Thoughts:  The midwest has had their share of amazing hoppy beers, rarely have they made there way west. This region has Stone, Lagunitas and now Ballast Point to contend with. As long as these California brewers can get these products on the shelf at the right price, and fresh, there will be some real competition heating up. Is there room on the shelf for all these CA brands? Time will tell.