New Braunfels Brewing hits distribution goal

When Kelly and Lindsey Meyer decided to open New Braunfels Brewing Co. in 2011, their business plan always included partnering with a distributor. Enter Wright Distributing Inc. and its recently created craft beer division.

New Braunfels Brewing and Wright Distributing team up, breaking new ground for both companies.

“We got into this industry to craft great beer, not drive delivery trucks and clean tap lines,” Lindsey said. “Having a strong partner like Wright on our team allows us to focus on making our brewery the best it can be through recipe formulation and facility management.”

The partnership between the two companies covers 13 counties, including the brewery’s home county of Comal, Texas. Wright Distributing will distribute New Branfels’ three flagship beers to bars, restaurants and other outlets in all of these counties. Distribution will begin later this month. Wright is a traditional Miller Beer house with a growing craft portfolio that includes Boulevard and Horney Goat and import brands Guinness and Dos Equis.

“We couldn’t be more excited about this partnership,” said Tom Clayton, vice president and general manager at Wright. “NBBCo gives us the chance to work with a local brewery from the ground floor. We love the growing Texas craft beer scene, and NBBCo makes a great addition to our portfolio.”

There will probably plenty of distribution updates in Texas after the package of five craft beer bills were signed last week. This particular agreement with Wright also gives NBBCo access to a wealth of marketing and sales opportunities. Wright has an onsite graphic designer and an in-house print-shop.

“The creative side of our brewery is one of my favorite parts,” Kelly said. “I’ve got tons of artwork and ideas, and the team at Wright is uniquely positioned to help me expand them and get our brand out on the community.”

New Braunfels’ current offerings are a HefeWeizen, DunkelWeizen and an emblematic IPAWeizen. Wright Distributing was founded in 1948 by Louis and Virginia Wright; so, in 2013 Wright celebrates 65 years in the wholesale beverage distribution business. Wright operates out of three warehouses and services thirteen counties in Central Texas.