USA & Canada: New Belgium Brewing to expand throughout Alberta, Canada

New Belgium Brewing announced on February 17 it will expand distribution throughout Alberta, Canada, starting February 24, per an agreement with Horizon Beers, according to Brewbound.

The brewery will initially rollout its flagship Fat Tire Amber Ale and Ranger IPA on draft and in six-packs. New Belgium’s Rampant Imperial IPA, Snapshot Wheat, select offerings from the Lips of Faith Series, and the latest seasonal offering will follow within 90 days, the company said in a statement.

This isn’t the Fort Collins, CO-based brewery’s first foray into Canada, however. It launched in British Columbia last September.

“British Columbia was our first market outside the U.S., and we’ve obviously learned a lot about beer sales in Canada since rolling out there,” said Rich Rush, brewery regional sales director, in the statement. “There are some great emerging craft beer markets in Alberta, and we’re excited to be introducing our brews to the craft beer enthusiasts there.”

While New Belgium grows in Canada, it hasn’t lost sight of its goal of being sold in all 50 states by 2018. The company will begin selling beer in Mississippi, its 37th state, on March 3. New Belgium is “also looking to open Kentucky and Hawaii later this year,” according to today’s the company’s press statement.

About New Belgium Brewing Company

New Belgium Brewing, makers of Fat Tire Amber Ale and a host of Belgian-inspired beers, is recognized as one of Outside Magazine’s Best Places to Work and one of the Wall Street Journal’s Best Small Businesses. In addition to Fat Tire, New Belgium brews nine year-round beers; Ranger IPA, Rampant Imperial IPA, Shift Pale Lager, Snapshot Wheat, Sunshine Wheat, 1554 Black Ale, Blue Paddle Pilsener, Abbey Belgian Ale and Trippel.

19 February, 2014