This first iteration highlights movements among the big distributors and a few boutique ones. We know there are other distributors out there, importers and the like, and we’ll be establishing relationships with them to ensure this feature is as all-encompassing as possible. Until then, click through the tabs below to see what beers have been added by a half-dozen wholesalers over the last few months.
Recent additions for this boutique distributor include 51st Ward, which is the venture of former Urban Legend Brewing co-founder Tim Hoerman,
Old Town Abbey, a Belgian-inspired beer company currently brewing at Galena Brewing Company and the aforementioned
Galena Brewing Company.
Legendary Chicago wholesaler
Louis Glunz Inc, which has seen some brand attrition as of late, brought on
Baderbräu over the summer. The revived label has built upon its initial offering of a pilsner to include a
India Pale Lager, Bock and Oktoberfest.
The recently crowned largest Bud distributor in Illinois has slowly been upping its craft beer street cred. In April
Lakeshore Beverage lured Founders Brewing
away from Glunz. Over the summer the distributor added Jared Rouben’s long-anticipated
Moody Tongue Brewing,
Atlas Brewing — which was formerly with Artisan Beverage — and most recently
Bad Martha Beer out of Martha’s Vineyard. Interestingly Rouben had a hand in
starting that brewery. Bad Martha beers available here include their Vineyard Ale, Summer Ale and Island IPA.
Windy City Distribution, which is also owned by the same parent company (Reyes Beverage) as Chicago Beverage Systems but competes against them, added a meadery and a cider-importer.
Crafted Artisan Meadery out of Mogadore, Ohio and importer
Ciders of Spain both launched this week with
Windy City.
Wirtz Beverage has added a pair of ciders to its portfolio. The first came in June when
Finnriver signed a deal with Wirtz, which has divisions in multiple states, to distribute its ciders in Nevada and Chicago. Ciders available here include a Black Currant Cider, Pear Cider, Dry Hopped Cider and Habanero Cider. In July
Seattle Cider Company joined the
Wirtz family and is bringing with it five ciders to Illinois, including a soon-to-be seasonably appropriate Pumpkin Spice Cider.