Craft beer lovers rejoice, because Loveland Distributing has added some tasty craft brews to its lineup.
Craft beer lovers rejoice, because Loveland Distributing has added some tasty craft brews to its lineup.
Get ready to start tasting more of your favorite craft beers around the city because the distributor announced Friday it acquired Sterling-based Hops and Wine’s portfolio of craft beers for the Richmond region and surrounding counties.
The Henrico County distributor has added over 30 craft beer brands to its portfolio including Lagunitas, Bell’s, Founder’s, Duclaw, New Holland, Port City, Duck Rabbit, Epic, Shipyard and forthcoming Richmond-based Stone Brewing.
Loveland will also represent Virginia brews from Charlottesville-based Champion Brewing, Williamsburg Aleworks, and Port City in Alexandria.
Loveland, known for major brands such as Miller High Life, Miller Life, Corona and Coors Light already had some craft beer in its lineup including local craft brewers 7 Hills Brewing, Heritage Brewing Company, Lost Rhino, Smartmouth and Wild Wolf. It also touts 14 craft brands on its site.
Shockoe Bottom-based 7 Hills Brewing was the first Richmond-based craft brewer to be picked up by Loveland.
With the growing popularity of craft beer, and breweries popping up left and right, Brad Straughn, head of the distributor’s craft department said it only made sense to snag a bigger piece of the craft beer market.
“We look to have a little something for everybody as far as a rounded out portfolio,” he said. “This definitely was a nice addition to round it out in the craft world. We’ve been selective over the years who we’ve partnered with to make sure it’s a right fit for our portfolio and this is a great opportunity to get some great brands.”
Straughn added Stone Brewing’s plan to set up shop here was an added bonus.
“Stone coming to Richmond is a huge addition to this, we were very excited when they jumped on board.”
Straughn said the company started working on the deal last August and now Loveland will have about 35 national, regional, and imported European brands now under its belt. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Brown Distributing has garnered much of the craft market, but Straughn said the acquisition wasn’t meant to keep up with them in any way.
“They’re our competitor, if it helps us it helps, but it wasn’t a direct reaction to anything they’ve done,” he said.
Hop and Wine carries over 160 brands of beer, wine meads, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages and will continue to distribute in Northern Virginia, D.C. and the Tidewater market.
Straughten said Loveland has already seen success with adding more craft beer to its lineup through events and thinks the new additions will help grow events in Richmond even more.
“We definitely think it’s going to raise the level of some of the events for sure,” he said. “Integrating more craft beer into our events including the Folk Fest and Friday Cheers we had Sweetwater as the official sponsor this year so we’ve definitely been including it more and that’s what the consumer wants so we’re trying to give them what they want, this just gives us a lot more options to play with.”
Loveland launched all the beers today and over the next few weeks the distributor plans to roll out its entire new lineup of craft beers.
“We’re waiting on a couple of orders to show up, but will be selling Stone out of Loveland starting first thing in the morning,” he said.
