Left Hand Brewing Re-Enters Iowa Thanks to Expansion
(LONGMONT, CO )• July 21, 2014 – Left Hand Brewing Company is excited to announce their return to the Iowa market in early August! Left Hand, in partnership with Johnson Brothers of Iowa, will officially re-enter the state and feature their award-winning portfolio of balanced and innovative brands including Milk Stout Nitro. “We’re thrilled to re-introduce Left Hand to the Iowa market and to offer our accounts and beer drinkers the full line of one of the most recognized breweries in the country,” comments Lyle Stutzman of Johnson Brothers.
Outpaced demand forced Left Hand to temporarily withdraw from the state in 2011, in order to maintain quality and service standards. In recent years, Left Hand has undergone a significant production expansion, including a new bottling hall, 6K sq. ft. cooler, and the addition of eight-480 bbl fermenters. As a result, barrelage has increased 78% in volume since 2011, yielding 65,879 bbls in 2013 and on track for over 80K in 2014. The increased capacity has allowed for Left Hand’s expansion, including entry into upstate NY, MD, DC, Western PA, and Iowa in 2014. The nearly 21 year old brewery is now the 38th largest craft beer brewery in the country by volume and distributed in 28 states and the District of Columbia.
Fortunately, growth has not compromised quality. Left Hand won 3 Gold medals at the 2013 Great American Beer Festival, a 2013 Gold European Beer Star and most recently a Gold award at the 2014 World Beer Cup. “Left Hand has really pushed the envelope in the last couple of years by being the first craft brewery to bottle nitrogenated beer while continuing to produce beers that have consistently set the standard within multiple style categories,” notes Lyle Stutzmanfrom Johnson Brothers. “Not only are we excited to have flagship favorites like Sawtooth Ale back, but also bring the Nitro series of beers to Iowa for the first time!”
Johnson Brothers will distribute Left Hand’s perennial line and Nitro series including: Milk Stout & Milk Stout Nitro, Sawtooth Ale & Sawtooth Nitro, 400 Pound Monkey IPA, Black Jack Porter, Polestar Pilsner, Stranger Pale Ale, Left Hand’s variety pack – Mountain Mixer as well as seasonals and limited editions. A series of launch events will be held in Iowa the first week of August including release parties at the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival, el Bait Shop, Zombie Burger, and more!
For a full digital list of Left Hand’s Iowa Events to share, visit our blog!
8/5-8/7 Left Hand Tastings
17 tastings from Council Bluffs to Bettendorf! Check out our Google map and get your first taste!
8/5 BLT – Beer, Bacon and our Return to Iowa!
Left Hand and the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival are teaming up to to re-introduce Left Hand Beers to Iowa. Join us at Brenton Skating Plaza on August 5 for three Iowa favorites: sweet corn, B.L.T.s and cold beer!
8/5 – Reds Alehouse Release Party – Iowa City
Red’s Ale House welcomes Left Hand Brewing back to Iowa with a comprehensive Tap Takeover including the rare Wake Up Dead Nitro, our Russian Imperial Stout!
8/5 Zombie Burger Late Night Release Party – Des Moines
Join Left Hand’s Iowa Beer Hero Joe Shea and Midwest Regional Manager Mike Walters at Zombie Burger in Des Moines for a Special Late Night Release Party featuring Wake Up Dead Nitro.
8/6 The Keg Stand Tap Invasion Launch Event
Left Hand is Invading The Keg Stand in Des Moines featuring our whole line-up of craft Beer for the Iowa Market. There is no better time to find your favorite Left Hand Beer.
8/7 – el Bait Shop Welcome Back Party
Join us as El Bait Shop welcomes Left Hand Brewing to the great State of Iowa with a Ten Line Tap Takeover, our largest of the Week including 4 special releases!
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For more information contact:
Emily Armstrong
Left Hand Brewing Company
303.772.0258×104,[email protected]
About Left Hand Brewing Company
Celebrating twenty years of brewing a well-balanced portfolio of craft beers, Left Hand Brewing Company is located at 1265 Boston Avenue in Longmont, Colorado. Left Hand is one of the most honored and recognized breweries in the state, with over 21 Great American Beer Festival medals, 9 World Beer Cup awards, and 6 European Beer Star awards. Famous for their Nitro series, Left Hand Brewery was the first craft brewery to release a bottled nitrogenated beer. Left Hand’s collection of perennial and seasonal beers are available in 28 states. “Sometimes you’re not in the mood for what everyone else is having.”
About Johnson Brothers of Iowa, Inc.
Johnson Brothers of Iowa is celebrating 30 years as a Distributor in the State. They were awarded the Iowa Grocery Industry Association “Supplier of the Year” recently and service the entire State with a portfolio of quality wines and craft beer.
