Deschutes Brewery brings distribution to Philadelphia

Deschutes Brewery began in 1988, launching with Black Butte Porter at a time when dark beer was not popular. The brewery’s popularity has now grown into distributing to the Philadelphia area.

Today is Deschutes Brewery’s silver anniversary, and what better way to celebrate than with the long-awaited announcement that their beers will now be available year-round in the greater Philadelphia area? For the past four years, the Oregon brewery has fulfilled the thirst of Philly beer fanatics during one spectacular week, Philly Beer Week. Now, the brewery will be shipping beers all year to the six-county area served by Muller Inc. Fans there will now be able to enjoy Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Black Butte Porter and Chainbreaker White IPA on draft and in bottles. As a special treat, Philadelphia will be getting bottles of the brand-new Fresh Squeezed IPA, part of the brewery’s experimental Bond Street Series, plus bottles of Deschutes’ River Ale and Inversion IPA.

“The Philadelphia craft consumer today has extremely sophisticated taste buds and demands the best brews in the world,” said John Houck, vice president of sales for Muller Inc. “We couldn’t be more proud and honored to represent Deschutes Brewery and bring these world class brews to the best beer city in the USA!”

Deschutes Brewery began in 1988 as a brew pub in downtown Bend, Ore. — launching with and building a reputation around Black Butte Porter at a time when dark beer was not popular. This beer went on to become one of the best-selling craft porters in the United States, despite only being available in a limited amount of states. It is in this spirit of experimentation and risk-taking that Deschutes Brewery has continued to grow, and it is now ranked as the fifth largest craft brewery in the nation.

“Philadelphia is a craft savvy market that gives us a perfect launch pad for our first distribution area on the east coast,” said Michael LaLonde, president of Deschutes Brewery. “We’re excited to be working with Muller on a full-time basis and being able to fill the demand that the past years of participating in Philly Beer Week have created for our beers.”

The gang from Deschutes Brewery, including a brewer, will be celebrating the launch with a week-long series of tastings and events in and around Philadelphia in early November. Look for more details in late summer.