Cigar City Brewing’s rapid growth continues in 2018 with the addition of its first full-time international partnership in nearly eight years. Cigar City has partnered with Great Brands AB of Stockholm, Sweden, to distribute its portfolio of beers throughout Scandinavia in kegs and 12-oz cans. Jai Alai IPA and Guayabera Citra Pale Ale will be available in Sweden, Finland and Norway beginning in September.
Looking to build on the strong Swedish presence of CANarchy portfolio-mates Oskar Blues Brewery, Cigar City noted it is one of the fastest growing brands in the United States with 70 percent year to date growth.
“We couldn’t be more excited to distribute our beer full time to Sweden and other Scandinavian markets,” said CCB’s El Lector Neil Callaghan. “We’ve been lucky enough to brew beer with several Swedish breweries and attend Swedish beer festivals for many years, and we know how knowledgeable and discerning the beer market is in that part of the world. To bring Florida flavor to Sweden with the help of Sweden’s best importers in Jörgen and his team is a true honor.”
Great Brands’ Founder and Manager Jörgen Hasselqvist said this is something they have been working on for quite a while: “Cigar City Brewing´s reputation speaks for itself, and we know the Swedish beer fans are as excited as we are.”
Market launch events will coincide with the 2018 Stockholm Beer and Whiskey Festival taking place September 27-29 and October 4-6. Cigar City Brewing and CANarchy representatives will be on hand throughout the week to tell the story of CCB throughout Stockholm.
Cigar City’s beer is available in 23 states encompassing Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Colorado, Utah, Texas, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, Delaware, California, Massachusetts, Arizona, Maryland, Wisconsin and Kentucky, as well as Puerto Rico. Sweden will represent Cigar City Brewing’s first foray into full-time distribution in an international market.
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