Press Release:

(Randolph, MA) – Massachusetts continues to demonstrate enormous support for craft and specialty import beers, with those categories now comprising nearly 15.5% of total beer sales volume in the Commonwealth, more than double the national average.

New data reveals that total beer sales in Massachusetts grew by 2.2%, or 90,757 barrels (over 2.8- million gallons) in 2012, to a total of just under 4.17-million bbls. (over 1.25-billion gallons of beer!).

Nearly 82% of the total growth was concentrated in the craft (+ 66,565 bbls) and specialty imports (7,740 bbls) categories. Much of the burgeoning interest in better beer in Massachusetts has been fueled by the work of the Massachusetts Beverage Alliance (the MBA), a unique collaboration of five separate wholesale beer distributors who now represent more than a dozen world-class breweries throughout the Commonwealth.

New for 2013, the MBA has announced distribution partnerships with four new breweries, bringing its total portfolio to fourteen.

Newburyport Brewing Company – Newburyport, MA. A brand new brick and mortar facility in the beautiful town of Newburyport, the company is Massachusetts’ only exclusive “keg and can” craft brewery. They have three styles that will be available year round: Newburyport Pale Ale™, Plum Island Belgian White™, and Green Head IPA™ all available in draught and six pack 12oz cans. Suggested retail price on 6 packs cans is $9.49. Green Head IPA and Newburyport Pale Ale draught began rolling out in March in the Merrimack Valley and will be state-wide by the end of April. Plum Island Belgian Wit draught will be available state-wide by end of April. Cans for all 3 styles will roll out in Merrimack Valley Mid-April and will be state-wide by early May.

Glutenberg – Montreal, QC – Canada – This Canadian craft brewery produces Gluten-Free beers exclusively. They swept awards in the 2012 World Beer Cup Gluten-free category and will introduce all 3 medal winners to the states of Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont beginning in April. The 3 styles that will be available include Glutenberg Red Ale (Gold Medal), Glutenberg American Pale Ale (Silver Medal), Glutenberg Blonde Ale (Bronze Medal). All will be available in four pack 16oz cans with a suggested retail price of $10.99. The Massachusetts Beverage Alliance is also U.S. importer for Glutenberg beers.

Grey Sail Brewing Company of Rhode Island – Westerly, RI – this beachfront community in the southwestern corner of Rhode Island takes great pride in their home-town brewery. Two year-round styles will be available in both 6 pack 12oz cans and draught. Flying Jenny Extra Pale Ale and Flagship Cream Ale will have a suggested price of $9.49 per 6 pack. There will also be seasonal-related selections available in limited quantities including Hazy Day Belgian Wit, Leaning Chimney Smoked Porter and Autumn Winds Fest Beer. These seasonal selections will be available in draught
and 6/4 16oz cans which will have suggested retail prices of $9.49 per 4-pack. Grey Sail Brewing of RI will be available in Southeastern Mass, Cape Cod & Islands, and the greater Boston market in Mid-April. State-wide distribution is being planned for early summer.

Foolproof Brewing Company – Pawtucket, RI – another brick and mortar facility out of the home of the Paw-Sox, Foolproof will offer 3 year round styles in draught and 6 pack 12oz cans plus limited releases in draught and 22oz bottles throughout the year. The 3 year round styles are American Barstool Golden Ale, Backyahd IPA, & Raincloud Robust Porter, these will be a suggested retail price of $9.49 per 6 pack. The first limited release available will be La Ferme Urbaine Farmhouse Ale, 22oz bottles will be a suggested price of $6.49/bottle. The initial roll out into Mass will be in early May starting with Southeastern Mass, Cape Cod & Islands, and the Greater Boston
market. The rest of the state will see Foolproof Beers in early summer.

About the Massachusetts Beverage Alliance The Massachusetts Beverage Alliance LLC is a network of like- minded beer distributors who share the mission of providing, promoting, and building quality craft and specialty import beer throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Alliance’s network consists of five wholesale partners – Atlas Distributing Inc., Burke Distributing, Colonial Wholesale Beverage, Commercial Distributing Company and Merrimack Valley Distributing Company. Together with our brewer partners, we are committed to bringing the freshest and best
tasting beer to consumers and retail partners in our respective markets. www.massbevalliance.com