KEG 1 acquires distribution rights for Austin’s Hops & Grain Brewery

A photo from the document signing. From left to right, it’s Jim Houchins, Tim Sheehan (Mayan), George Doig (Mayan) and Travis Erwin (KEG 1).

KEG 1 Central Texas is a proud distributor of quality beers in the Austin metro area. How do we know this? Just look at its latest distribution deal. As of Thursday, May 29, KEG 1 LLC had acquired the distribution rights to locally based Hops & Grain Brewery from Mayan Distribution. KEG 1 plans to initially saturate the greater Austin metropolitan area — Travis, Williamson and Hays counties — with cans of Hops & Grain’s four permanent beers — award-winning Alt-Eration Altbier, Pale Dog Pale Ale, The One They Call Zoe and the Greenhouse IPA.

“We are beyond thrilled about our new relationship with KEG 1,” said owner and founder of Hops & Grain Brewery, Josh Hare. “Since we opened the brewery almost three years ago our primary focus has been on growing the quality of our beer. We’ve expanded our team, our infrastructure and continue to expand our passion for creating the highest quality beer that we can. The passion and commitment for quality distribution was evident in our very first meeting with KEG 1.”

Eventual expansion of Hops & Grain’s distribution is on the horizon through KEG 1 O’Neal, serving 32 counties out of distribution centers in Temple, Fredericksburg and Weatherford, but for now, since Hops & Grain is barely scratching the surface of its home city, the current game plan is to more than quadruple its presence in Austin. And the partnership with KEG 1 provides Hops & Grain the ability and resources to effectively fulfill the demand in its home market.

“Right now we are in the middle of a huge expansion that will more than double our current capacity. We are stoked to have KEG 1 as our distribution partner to allow us to operate effectively and sustainably during this time of exponential growth,” said Hare.

“We are excited and proud to be able to add Hops & Grain’s outstanding beers to our portfolio of brands,” said Phil Benvenuto, vice president of sales and marketing for KEG 1. “We have admired Josh’s beers for some time and are happy to now be able to bring them to our retailers and consumers. With their award-winning beers and commitment to sustainable brewing, we feel that they are a perfect complement to our lineup. Representing such a successful and well-thought-of member of Austin’s brewing community is an incredible opportunity for the KEG 1 team. This is a partnership to be proud of; and certainly one we expect to achieve great success.”

Initiating the partnership between all three parties, Hops & Grain, KEG 1 and Mayan Distribution, was well-known craft beer advocate for Central Texas, Jim Houchins.

“It’s been a real pleasure for me,” said Houchins. “I think it is a positive outcome for all the parties involved. I felt privileged to be involved — I know all of the parties and was honored to help facilitate it. I think it’s just a great deal. Everybody walked out of the closing with a smile.”