E-Malt.com News article: USA, AR: Glidewell Distributing to distribute Pong Beer

Glidewell Distributing of Fort Smith has been chosen as the exclusive Arkansas distributor of Pong Beer, a brew developed by Pong Beer USA, the company reported on February, 14.

Glidewell sales director, Nick Glidewell, says the company began moving the new product into its customers' stores - primarily convenience stores - in late December.

"It's going to take a little while to saturate the market, but we're working hard on it, because we believe this beer will be a profitable item for our customers," Glidewell said.

The beer is brewed by Latrobe Brewing Company in Latrobe, Penn.

Pong Beer president and founder, Neal Frank, said his company looked at various options in getting its beer to the Arkansas market - including major distributors such as Miller, Coors and Anheuser-Busch - before choosing Glidewell.

"Glidewell has very good penetration in the convenience store category," Frank said. "We know that's a very important channel for our brand, and we felt Glidewell has the resources to accomplish our goals."

Pong Beer is sold in cans, in 30-packs. Each pack contains two ping pong balls that can be used to play the game "beer pong." Also known as "Beirut," beer pong is a drinking game in which players throw a ping pong ball across a table and try to land it in a cup of beer on the other end. The contestant in whose cup the ball lands must drink the contents of the cup.

"While the beer pong novelty angle is a great marketing idea, we would always encourage people to drink responsibly," Glidewell said, noting that the game is popular in many colleges and universities and that there are even professional beer pong tournaments. "As we introduce this new product to Arkansas, we'll continue to promote compliance with the legal drinking age."

About Glidewell Distributing

Glidewell Distributing began doing business in 1946 and is the fastest-growing alcohol and beverage distributor in Arkansas. With more than 1,000 accounts throughout Arkansas and Oklahoma, the company supplies convenience stores and other retailers with alcohol, tobacco, snacks, groceries, health and beauty supplies and related products. Glidewell Distributing has always been family-owned and family-operated.


15 February, 2012