Back in 2010 the DABC came to an important realization; that their tiny warehouse was bursting at the seams and they were in desperate need of extra space. Their solution? Get the beer distributors to take some of the load.
For the most part it's been a good partnership. More craft brands are making their way into the state, because out of state brewers are feeling more comfortable about having their beer in the distributors cold storage facilities, rather than sitting in the DABC's room temperature warehouse.
One of the newest acquisitions to the states craft beer portfolio is a pretty good get, The Craft Brewers Alliance. The CBA was formed with the merger of leading Pacific Northwest craft brewers – Widmer Brothers Brewing and Redhook Ale Brewery – in 2008. With an eye toward preserving and growing one-of-a-kind craft beers and brands. The CBA was joined by Kona Brewing Company in 2010.
Widmer Brothers has had a golden reputation since their inception in 1984. Their known for their wheat beer, but the Brothers continues to create handcrafted beers with a unique and unconventional twist on traditional styles that are award winning and please a wide range of craft beer lovers.
Redhook Brewing, one of the nations first craft breweries had lost some of it's luster in the past few years, but my friends from the North West say, they've noticed a change in Redhook's quality since Utah's Jen Talley took the helm last year. It'll be nice to taste what she's been up to.
Kona Brewing was founded in 1994 by the father and son team of Cameron Healy and Spoon Khalsa. Kona creates some complex, full tasting beers that expresses their Hawaii based roots and flavors.
I'm really looking forward to having these labels on our store shelves. We should start seeing them in the next couple of months.
Cheers!
