Florida's Brown named 2012 Craft Beer Distributor of the Year

DENVER, Colorado - The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) and the Brewers Association (BA) have named the recipients of the Craft Beer Distributor awards. Brown Distributing Company from Florida (members in photo) was chosen as the Craft Beer Distributor of the Year.

Headquartered in West Palm Beach, Brown is a family-run business that has been in existence for more than 90 years. It has become a craft beer powerhouse, distributing beer from 64 breweries to some 4,000 retailers in the state. The company has achieved a 76% increase in craft beer sales volume in the past 12 months. To drive sales, it uses social media to maintain customer relationships; an informative website that includes an interactive distribution map, events calendar, and brewers profiles; a blog and a customer newsletter. It has also launched a “Drink like a local” campaign that helps promote craft breweries in Florida by encouraging retailers and consumers to drink local beers. It also participates in occasions such wine events and chocolate festivals.

Also receiving accolades for promoting craft beer are DeCrescente Distributing Company of Mechanicville, New York, which was honoured with The Craft Beer Distributor Achievement Award, and Tryon Distributing of Charlotte, North Carolina was recognised with the Craft Beer Distributor Recognition Award.

On its sixth year, the Craft Beer Distributor of the Year Award acknowledges the beer distributor who does the most to market, promote and sell craft beer. 

“The entrepreneurial spirit of craft brewers continues to add energy and excitement to the American beer industry, and beer distributors take great pride in serving as the vehicle to market for these brands,” said NBWA president and CEO Craig Purser. “The craft beer category continues to grow at double digit rates thanks in part to the strong relationship between craft brewers and beer distributors.”

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