USA, AZ: SanTan Brewing Company to expand distribution

Chandler-based SanTan Brewing Co. plans to expand distribution of its beers to neighboring states and has hired a business development manager to lead those efforts, Phoenix Business Journal reported on December 10.

Arizona’s second-largest craft brewery has its sights set on California, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado and Texas to distribute brews such as Devil’s Ale and HopShock IPA.

SanTan has hired a craft beer veteran, Wendy Weathers, as its national business development manager, to put those expansion plans into action.

Weathers brings a wealth of experience in craft beer. She worked her way up from part-time bookkeeper to national sales director at Longmont, Colorado-based Oskar Blues Brewery.

“Wendy’s passion for craft beer and accomplishments at Oskar Blues are two of the many traits that complement the culture of SanTan Brewing,” SanTan owner and head brewer Anthony Canecchia said.

The brewery plans to have distribution deals in place for these other southwest markets by the end of the first quarter of 2014.

Such expansion also will necessitate additional hiring, though specific numbers are not yet determined.

“2014 will definitely bring a number of hiring opportunities including brewers and sales staff,” Canecchia said.

This year, the Chandler-based craft brewery opened a new $6 million, 35,000-square-foot brewing facility down the road from its first brewery. The investment allows the brewery to nearly quadruple its capacity from 11,000 barrels brewed last year to a projected 40,000 this year.
With out-of-state expansion, SanTan follows fellow Arizona craft brewers Phoenix Ale Brewery and Grand Canyon Brewing Co., both of which distribute their brews in neighboring states.

11 December, 2013