• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • About Craft Brewing Business

Craft Brewing Business

Professional Insight, Unfiltered

  • News
  • Business & Marketing
  • Ingredients & Supplies
  • Packaging & Distribution
  • Equipment
  • Webinars & White Papers
  • COVID-19

Craft Brew Alliance partners with Ambev to send Kona beers to Brazil

January 21, 2016Chris Crowell

The Craft Brew Alliance is partnering with Ambev, the Brazilian subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA, to expand distribution of Kona Brewing Co. beers to Brazil. Ambev began distributing Kona’s Longboard Island Lager and Big Wave Golden Ale in Brazil in December 2015.

Kona Brewing Co Longboard salesWhile Brazil is the third largest beer market in the world, both CBA and Ambev see a significant opportunity in tapping into the country’s fast-growing craft beer segment. As Brazil’s leading beverage company, Ambev is uniquely positioned to meet the increasing demand from Brazilian beer drinkers for the distinctive and authentic flavors of American craft beer. Kona Brewing Co. is a top 10 national craft beer brand and the first Hawaiian craft beer distributed in Brazil.

RELATED: Winter is coming for the beer distribution industry

“We’re excited to continue building on our long-standing partnership with AB InBev through forging this pioneering new relationship with Ambev,” said Andy Thomas, chief executive officer, Craft Brew Alliance. “We think the opportunity for Kona in Brazil is massive, especially with the great synergies between Hawaiian and Brazilian culture, with their amazing beaches and strong water lifestyles. This partnership brings together Ambev’s beer expertise with an internationally loved craft beer and brand to meet the increasing demand for distinctive, authentic American craft beers in Brazil.”

“Beer consumers in Brazil are increasingly open to innovation and new palates,” said Ambev E-Commerce Director Guilherme Lebelson. “Ambev has been playing an important role in presenting new brands, flavors and styles through our e-commerce platform, Emporio da Cerveja. Kona Brewing Co. is a Hawaiian icon and a favorite U.S. special beer. Bringing Kona to Brazilian consumers shows our determination to expand the global beer culture.”

As the popularity of American craft beer continues to grow around the world, CBA has increased distribution to key international beer markets across Asia and Europe. In 2014, the company’s international shipments grew by 91%. CBA currently exports to 26 countries through a partnership with craft export company CraftCanTravel (CCT), which distributes Kona Brewing Company, Omission Beer, Redhook Brewery and Widmer Brothers Brewing. Brazil represents CBA’s 27th international market and its first distribution partnership with Ambev.

Founded in 1994 on the Big Island of Hawaii, Kona Brewing Co. has grown to be a Top 10 craft beer brand in the U.S. and one of the most recognized American craft beer brands in the world, largely based on the company’s strong connection to Hawaii as a top travel destination. The brewing company’s island-inspired craft beers combine distinctive Hawaiian ingredients with a strong emphasis on creating smooth, easy-drinking craft styles.

Craft-Brew-Alliance
Craft Brew Alliance to distribute for Appalachian Mountain Brewery
Craft-Brew-Alliance
Craft Brew Alliance posts strong financial return in 2018, continued momentum for Kona
Craft-Brew-Alliance
Craft Brew Alliance adds two new Anheuser-Busch VPs to board
Redhook bottles new label designs cbb crop
Classic and clean: Peep Redhook Brewery’s new packaging designs

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. DenverBeerGuy says

    January 21, 2016 at 2:42 pm

    RT @crsimp01: Craft Brew Alliance, Ambev to send Kona beers to Brazil https://t.co/XhlqiTHc1T via @craftbrewingbiz

    Log in to Reply
  2. DenverBeerGuy says

    January 21, 2016 at 2:42 pm

    RT @CraftBrewingBiz: Craft Brew Alliance partners with Ambev to send Kona beers to Brazil https://t.co/gUHPe7nN5f

    Log in to Reply
  3. crsimp01 says

    January 21, 2016 at 2:38 pm

    Craft Brew Alliance, Ambev to send Kona beers to Brazil https://t.co/XhlqiTHc1T via @craftbrewingbiz

    Log in to Reply
  4. BarnesJJ74 says

    January 21, 2016 at 2:37 pm

    RT @CraftBrewingBiz: Craft Brew Alliance partners with Ambev to send Kona beers to Brazil https://t.co/gUHPe7nN5f

    Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

Latest News

  • Beer rebrands continue: Ballast Point, Fremont, New Glory and Blue Point (also, enjoy some tips for your refresh)
  • Colorado Strong launches public awareness campaign to help independent breweries
  • Here’s a video recap of 2020 from Deep Ellum Brewing, complete with dubstep score
  • Malt maker Rahr purchases all of eco energy maker Koda

Sign up for our newsletter

unsubscribe from list

Most Popular Today

Recent Features

  • Beer rebrands continue: Ballast Point, Fremont, New Glory and Blue Point (also, enjoy some tips for your refresh)
    January 21, 2021
  • virginia-beer-co-renovationHow Virginia Beer Co. used the shutdown to overhaul its facility (and keep people employed)
    January 19, 2021
  • Clean air, clean beer: New Ingersoll Rand oil-less reciprocating air compressors are ideal for breweries (aeration to canning)
    January 18, 2021
  • Non-alcoholic beer brand Athletic Brewing closes $17M+ in funding with famous backers, selects Crafted ERP, eyes big growth
    January 18, 2021
  • Watch: This awareness video on human trafficking from beer wholesaler Markstein Sales will move you to action
    January 14, 2021
  • Distribution updates: Massachusetts brewers celebrate franchise reform, Yuengling goes to Texas with Molson Coors and more from Bell’s, Stone and beyond
    January 14, 2021

Footer

  • Email Newsletter Sign Up
  • About Craft Brewing Business
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise on Craft Brewing Business
  • Media Kit Download
  • Privacy and Terms

© 2021 · CBB Media LLC

Continue ...

sponsored by