With exactly one zillion breweries operating across America, distribution news is always a steady constant in the CBB mailbox. Every week, we get virtual piles of announcements on new alliances, upcoming state expansions and even reductions from breweries growing and shrinking their distribution footprints. Here is some of that beer distribution news. Enjoy!
NoFo Brew Co launches in Ireland via another soccer partnership (this time, Drogheda United FC)
Cumming, Georgia-based NoFo Brew Co recently announced its official launch into Ireland with a strategic partnership with Drogheda United FC. Since February, NoFo’s craft beer has been available at Sullivan and Lambe Park, home of Drogheda United, bringing the brand’s distinctive flavor to Irish football fans for the very first time. Fans at Drogheda United’s home matches have been among the first to enjoy NoFo’s top brews while cheering on the Drogs. This is the first time in 15 years that beer has been available at Sullivan and Lambe Park.
“We’re beyond thrilled to bring NoFo Brew Co to Ireland,” said Joe Garcia, cofounder and CEO of NoFo Brew Co. “This is a huge milestone for us as we take our brand to a new audience and strengthen our connection with the football community. Drogheda United is the perfect partner to kick things off in Ireland, and we can’t wait to see how our beers are received by the passionate fans.”
To start, NoFo introduced a select range of its craft beers, including Drogs Lager, Cowboy’s Payday and Boyne Stout. Drogs Lager is a refreshing light lager at 4.2% ABV, with delicate malt sweetness and a crisp finish. This one is brewed just for Drogheda United FC. Cowboy’s Payday is a hazy IPA at 4.5% ABV, with vibrant tropical fruit notes. Boyne Stout is a dry Irish stout at 4.0% ABV with a smooth, light body and subtle malty sweetness.
“We’re thrilled to announce our partnership with NoFo to bring their incredible beer to the stadium,” said Wesley Hill, Executive Director of DUFC. “From day one, they’ve been a fantastic team to work with, and we can’t wait to bring their expertise across the pond. This is another big step in elevating the stadium experience, and we’re grateful to everyone who helped make it happen.”
In April 2024, NoFo Brew Co launched its beer internationally for the first time in the UK in partnership with Walsall Football Club. This season, NoFo Brew Co is also the front of kit sponsor for DUFC.
“We’re proud to partner with Drogheda United and be part of this exciting season and seasons ahead,” says Garcia. “This is just the beginning of NoFo’s Irish journey, and we look forward to creating many more memories with football fans and craft beer enthusiasts across the country.”
Michigan’s Rochester Mills Beer will pour at Jimmy John’s Field in Utica
The United Shore Professional Baseball League recently announced a new partnership with Rochester Mills Beer Co., bringing its craft brews to fans throughout Jimmy John’s Field in Utica, Michigan. As part of this exciting collaboration, Rochester Mills Beer will have a strong presence in the Ballpark’s Craft Beer Garden and beyond, ensuring an elevated experience for beer enthusiasts attending games this season.
As part of the agreement, four Rochester Mills beer brands will be featured in the Ballpark’s Craft Beer Garden. Fans can also look forward to the return of the fan-favorite Beer Batter of the Game in-game promotion, running every game except Thursdays, when the Craft Beer Garden already offers discounted selections as part of Thirsty Thursdays.
“We’re beyond excited to bring Rochester Mills to Jimmy John’s Field and share our craft beers with USPBL fans all season long,” said Jon Lapolla, director of marketing for Rochester Mills Beer. “As a longtime fan of what the USPBL has built — creating an incredible fan experience centered around baseball, entertainment, and community — we couldn’t ask for a better place to showcase our beers. Baseball and great beer go hand in hand, and we can’t wait to enhance the game day experience with our unique lineup of brews.”
Additionally, Rochester Mills Beer will be represented in premium hospitality areas, including the Suites, Diamond Tables, the Cure Clubhouse, the three Group Outing Picnic Areas, and the Backstop Bar on the upper-level concourse. As a highlight of the partnership, Rochester Mills will have a dedicated Vendor Kiosk at the annual Brew & Fall Fest, offering fans an opportunity to enjoy their renowned craft beers in a lively festival setting.
“We are thrilled to welcome Rochester Mills Beer Company to the Ballpark family,” said Kathy Reid, director of food and beverage. “Their dedication to craft brewing excellence aligns perfectly with our mission to enhance the game day experience for our fans. We look forward to raising a glass to this exciting new partnership!”
Founded in 1998, Rochester Mills Beer has been a staple in Michigan’s craft beer scene for over 25 years. Known for their renowned beers like Milkshake Stout and Rochester Red, Rochester Mills has built a reputation for delivering high-quality, flavorful beers that appeal to both casual drinkers and craft beer connoisseurs alike. With a strong presence in bars, restaurants, and retailers across Michigan, Rochester Mills continues to innovate while staying true to its roots.
Tivoli Brewing’s Outlaw Light Beer brand expands distribution across Minnesota
Outlaw Light Beer, the No. 1 fastest-growing light domestic beer in the United States (according to the press release), recently announced a new distribution partnership covering the Great Lakes State. Outlaw Light is now available via Bernick’s & Artisan Beverage, expanding its footprint and ensuring statewide access for Minnesotans.
Brewed in the heart of Colorado by Tivoli Brewing Co., Outlaw Light Beer captures the rugged, independent spirit and rich traditions of Minnesota. With its crisp, refreshing taste, just 105 calories per serving, and a smooth 4.2% ABV — this light beer is crafted to deliver exceptional flavor with unbeatable quality and affordability.
“When we initially launched in 2024, we were committed to expanding quickly across Minnesota,” said Ari Opsahl, CEO of Tivoli Brewing Co. “This marks an exciting milestone for us, and we’re proud to partner with incredible distribution partners like Bernick’s & Artisan Beverage, making it easier for Minnesotans to have access to the fresh and satisfying taste of Outlaw Light. It’s more than just a beer — it’s a tribute to tradition, resilience and many of the values Minnesotans uphold.”
Minnesota beer lovers can stock up on Outlaw Light at their favorite liquor stores, restaurants, and bars across the state. Stay tuned for more updates on Outlaw Light Beer partnerships in Minnesota. For more information, please visit OutlawBeer.com.
Mets fans can now enjoy Allagash Brewing at New Yorks’ Citi Field
Maine-based Allagash Brewing Co. is stepping up to the plate in the Big Apple. The beloved beer brand announced it will bring its award-winning beers and taproom experience to Citi Field, as a proud partner of the New York Mets. Made in Maine and loved in New York, Allagash will have a dedicated presence inside the club’s ballpark. Housed on the Excelsior Level in Section 311, the Allagash Alley Bar will give Mets fans the opportunity to enjoy the brewery’s signature offering — Allagash White–all season long.
Additionally, Allagash White, the most awarded Belgian-style Wheat Beer in the world, will be widely available around Citi Field during games as well as during the concerts and special events held at the stadium throughout the year.
“From our home in Maine, we’re lucky to have built a dedicated fan base in New York City. We’ve been a part of the New York beer scene for decades, and this partnership will deepen our connection to fans in Queens, the five boroughs, and the entire NY metropolitan area,” said Rob Tod, founder, Allagash Brewing Co. “We’re excited to continue to deliver on our mission to give people new and exciting experiences with beer. Not to mention, we’re big baseball fans here at Allagash.”
“We’re excited to welcome Allagash Brewing to our award-winning line up for food and beverage options here at Citi Field for the upcoming season,” said James Benesh, vice president of Ballpark Experience. “Allagash already has a strong following in the New York City region, and we are thrilled to provide our fans another top beverage option whenever they join us this season”
This is the second professional sports partnership that Allagash has announced for 2025. The beer brand has also signed on as an Official Brewery Partner to Maine’s debut professional soccer club, Portland Hearts of Pine, and will collaborate with the Hearts on an exclusive collaboration beer, Kickabout Lager, available at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland, during matches, and the Allagash Tasting Room. For more information on Allagash Brewing, visit www.allagash.com.
Tom Holland’s NA brand BERO is now available in southern California
BERO, the premium non-alcoholic beer cofounded by Tom Holland, continues its rapid expansion with a major retail rollout across southern California. Following months of tremendous growth — including nationwide launches with Target and Amazon — BERO will be rolling out on shelves at Sprouts, Albertsons Vons Pavilion, Gelson’s, Total Wine, BevMo, Gopuff, and iconic LA venues like The Shrine and Erewhon. This expansion maximizes BERO’s presence in the critical LA market where consumer trends are born while providing a perfect presence to amplify the positioning as the aspirational lifestyle leader in the space.
BERO’s expansion throughout southern California also integrates local activations and out-of-home moments, furthering the brand’s footprint in the region and accelerating its marketplace awareness. From strategic partnerships with local-favorite venues to dynamic placements in high-traffic areas, BERO continues to show up in the consumer experience, meeting people not only where they shop, but where all of life’s moments play out.
John Herman, CEO and co-founder of BERO, noted, “Southern California is a region at the forefront of culture, wellness, and innovation, making it an exemplary market in BERO’s next stage of growth. From specialty retailers like Erewhon and Gelson’s to household names like Albertsons and Sprouts, we’re meeting consumers in this region where they already shop and providing a premium lifestyle brand that is earning more and more space in the beer aisle. Beyond presence with leaders in retail we are thrilled to partner with a leading distributor like Stone to help accelerate our presence in taste making bars, restaurants and hotels across the region meeting consumers where memories are made.”
As BERO’s first-ever grocery partner, Sprouts Farmers Market has played a pivotal role in introducing BERO to a wider consumer base. Known for its innovative product selection and dedication to mindful living, Sprouts shares BERO’s commitment to crafting exceptional experiences and providing a wider set of options for those seeking elevated non-alcoholic offerings.
“BERO is reshaping the way that consumers think about non-alcoholic beer,” said Brian Fried, general manager for Stone Distributing. “We are excited to see the strong customer response in California for BERO right out of the gate. We are seeing that retailers want to showcase a brand that combines amazing taste with an inspiring brand story.”
Available in 6-packs and variety packs, BERO offers consumers greater choice and convenience — whether unwinding at home or celebrating with friends. To learn more about BERO, visit BERObrewing.com, follow @berobrewing on Instagram and TikTok, and subscribe to the brand’s email newsletter for updates and exclusive content.
Broken Hops Brewing can now be found throughout Metro Denver
Colorado’s Broken Hops Brewing Co. is an IPA-centric brewery that uses traditional German brewing methods to brew some of the country’s most interesting, bold and uniquely modern IPAs. Starting in February, Broken Hops began hitting shelves with its flagship West Coast and Hazy IPAs across Metro Denver, with plans to release seasonal and limited release collaborations throughout the year.
While typical IPAs are brewed with English influence and techniques, Broken Hops reinvents the beer experience through a traditional German lager brewing process. By including endosperm mashing, decoction, open fermentation, extended lagering and natural carbonation, the innovative brewing process creates an IPA sensory experience unlike anything you’ve had before.
Broken Hops was created by Chris O’Connor as a side project after years of experience brewing at Prost Brewing Co. As Prost’s Vice President of Operations, O’Connor will continue to draw on his award-winning German brewing expertise to influence Broken Hops.
“I created Broken Hops to showcase my love for German brewing principles, looking to the past for inspiration on what the future of IPAs could be,” said O’Connor. “With these modern IPAs as the vehicle, Broken Hops showcases how clean and vibrant the style can be, and how these techniques can make an unforgettable finished product.”
Novel, bold, stylish, and always Hop Forward. The Broken Hops logo features a stylized hop-rabbit with a mischievous expression, evoking wild frenzy, bravery and the reimagining of beloved beer styles. Broken Hop’s flagship West Coast IPA (7% ABV) is clean and elegant with the mouthfeel of a lager but the hop character of a west coast IPA. There isn’t another IPA like this in the market with such a herbal grapefruit nose and firm bitterness. Broken Hops’ Hazy IPA (7.3% ABV) features notes of peach, strawberry, citrus and stone fruit hop, with aromatics jumping out of the glass. The light bitterness derives from the copious amount of dry hops added, 5-lbs per barrel, to this modern take on a hazy IPA.
“Broken Hops is a brewery focused on old world practices and their impact on modern styles. Just like the iconic nature of the Broken Hops logo, these beers are elegant and distinctive,” said O’Connor. “Our focus is singular — hop-forward beers done right and nothing else.”
Find Broken Hops on draft and in 4-packs of 16-oz cans at retailers across Metro Denver. Learn more about Broken Hops at brokenhopsbrewingco.com or follow the rabbit @broken_hops_brewing.
Talkhouse Encore partners with Union Beer for New York distribution
Talkhouse Encore, a line of fruit-forward spirits-based canned seltzers, recently announced its partnership with Union Beer Distributors. As one of the most respected and established distributors in the Northeast, Union Beer’s extensive network and industry expertise position Talkhouse Encore for continued success in the competitive beverage market.
This strategic partnership will support the growing demand for Talkhouse Encore’s spirits-based seltzers across New York state and expand distribution to key retail and restaurant partners, ensuring greater accessibility for consumers across the region. Licensees who would like to become a Union Beer customer and access Talkhouse Encore’s portfolio of high-quality, spirits-based canned seltzers crafted with real spirits and premium ingredients can visit https://www.unionbeerdist.com/contact./
“As a proud New York brand, partnering with Union Beer Distributors felt like a natural fit for us as we continue to expand our presence in our home state,” said Ruby Honerkamp, founder of Talkhouse Encore. “Union Beer’s unparalleled distribution network, strong relationships with top retailers, bars, and restaurants, and deep expertise in the local market will allow us to reach more consumers while strengthening Talkhouse Encore’s unique position in the industry.”
“We’re excited to partner with Talkhouse Encore and support their growth across New York,” said Oscar Delgado, Sales Manager at Blueprint Brands, the wine and spirits division of Union Beer Distributors. “Their dedication to crafting premium canned seltzers with real spirits, bold flavors, and high-quality ingredients, combined with their authentic New York brand story, makes them a fantastic addition to our expanding portfolio.”
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