Press Release:
(Randolph, MA) – January 2014 – 2013 was a solid year for the Massachusetts Beverage Alliance as sales grew 97% vs. 2012 finishing +91,312 cases for a total of 185,744 cases sold. Growth was driven by growth from both existing breweries (+43.8%, +41,188 cases) and the acquisition of new breweries and cider companies (+50,124 cases).
Committed to the craft category, the MBA has announced that they have hired Keith O’Hara as state sales manager effective January 6th, 2014. Keith brings great experience & knowledge about the craft category and the Massachusetts craft beer market, spending his last 3.5 years as Northeast Regional Manager for Dogfish Head Brewery and spent 1.5 years with Magic Hat prior. Part of Keith’s initial responsibilities includes helping hire and lead the newly formed brand ambassador
division. The MBA is hiring an additional 5 new employees to bring to a total of 6 brand ambassadors. These ambassadors will be spread across the state of Massachusetts supporting our five member distributor craft and specialty teams. The ambassador’s roles and responsibilities include: in-store tastings, wait-staff trainings, beer dinners, draught line activations, merchandising, craft beer festival support & act as fresh beer champions.
The MBA has also announced distribution partnerships with two new breweries for Q1- 2014:
Spencer Trappist Ale – Spencer, MA. – St. Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer, MA is home to a community of Trappist monks and the first American Trappist brewery. Following the Benedictine tradition of ora et labora (prayer and work), the monks pursue a simple life of contemplative prayer, manual labor, and hospitality. The brewery helps support the monks and their charitable outreach. Spencer Trappist Ale’s is full-bodied, golden-hued ale with fruity accents; a dry finish and light hop bitterness. The beer is unfiltered and unpasteurized, preserving live yeast that naturally carbonates the beer in the bottle and keg, and contributes to the flavor and aroma.
Spencer is one of only ten Trappist breweries in the world and the first in the U.S. This means that Spencer can use the “Authentic Trappist Product” logo granted by the International Trappist Association. This logo certifies that the beer was brewed within the walls of a Trappist monastery, the monks there take responsibility for the production, and all additional profits are given to charity. Spencer Trappist Ale, 6.5% ABV, will be available in 6-4 11.2 oz. bottles; distribution begins statewide Monday January 20th. Draught will also become available in late February.
Coronado Brewing Co. – Coronado, CA – One of San Diego County’s “Original 6” breweries from 1998, Coronado Brewing makes its splash into the Massachusetts market this February. Coronado’s iconic Mermaid image will help allure fans of flavorful and hoppy West Coast-Style beers to this brewery’s portfolio of bold craft brews. Led by favorites such as Mermaid’s Red IPA – 5.7% ABV, Idiot IPA – An Imperial with 8.5% ABV and Blue Ridge Coffee Stout, 5.4% ABV, along with limited quantities of recently released Jurata – (a collaboration with Cigar City Brewing of Tampa, FL) a Baltic Porter weighing in at 8.0% ABV there will be a wide selection of beers to choose from. Expect to see 12oz 6 packs, 12oz 4 packs, 22oz, and draught of 4 of Coronado’s “Core Brands” & Crown Series beers throughout the commonwealth.
The team from Coronado Brewing Co. will be in Massachusetts the week of February 17th to help kick off the brand statewide. Stay tuned to Massachusetts Beverage Alliance’s Facebook page for details on kick-off parties and in-store tastings.
“Our ownership’s commitment to helping grow the craft category in Massachusetts is a unique opportunity for our entire team,” says Brian Murphy, Director of Sales & Marketing of the Massachusetts Beverage Alliance. “with the additions of Spencer Trappist Ale & Coronado Brewing Co., our newly announced brand ambassador team along with our existing portfolio of excellent craft beers, imports, and ciders we are primed to have another tremendous year of growth in 2014.”