E-Malt.com News article: USA, OR & IL: Deschutes Brewery beers to be distributed in Chicago

Deschutes Brewery of Bend, Oregon announced on October, 15 it has made a distribution deal with Wirtz Beverage Group to distribute its beers in Chicago starting in January, 2013.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Deschutes as we launch into the craft beer market in Illinois,” explained Julian Burzynski, Wirtz Beverage Illinois Senior Vice President. “The growth and innovation of the Deschutes brands is a perfect match to our progressive approach to the business.”

Deschutes brands will be the first one to be carried by Wirtz' new craft beer team.

Among the production beers to be brought into Chicago will be Deschutes' Red Chair Northwest Pale Ale. Other initial releases will include Mirror Pond Pale Ale; Chainbreaker White IPA; and Black Butte Porter, the nation’s number one selling craft porter. The beers will all be available in six-packs and draft..

“Partnering with Wirtz Beverage made great sense for us, as the company’s experience and relationships in the industry are unmatched in the marketplace,” said Andy Tysler, national sales director for Deschutes Brewery. “We are looking forward to bringing our beers to the third largest city in the nation, and filling the increasing demand for craft beer in the region.”

Deschutes was founded in 1988 as a brew pub in downtown Bend, Oregon. In addition to its original Bend pub, the brewery opened a second pub in Portland’s Pearl District in 2008. The company’s main brewing facility is located in Bend’s Old Mill District and produces approximately 250,000 barrels of beer annually for distribution in 19 states and two provinces.

Wirtz Beverage Illinois is the state’s most established alcohol beverage distributor with operations statewide serving premium wine, spirits and craft beer brands. The company is an affiliate of Wirtz Beverage Group, one of the nation’s leading alcohol beverage distributors. With nearly $2 bln in annual sales and 3,000 employees, Wirtz Beverage Group has operations in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nevada and Wisconsin.


17 October, 2012