USA – Marston’s, the British brewery and pub operator, has sealed a new five-year distribution deal with US craft brewer Founders Brewing Co., after a US$72.8 million acquisition of brewery and pub operator Charles Wells in May 2017.
Established in 1997, Founders Brewing Co., based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is the 16th largest brewery in the US. Since the introduction of its All Day IPA in 2012, sales in 2017 grew by 50.3%.
According to the company, in the last 12 months, it has increased sales of Founders All Day IPA by 274%, with the beer now being stocked in over 400 pubs and supermarkets in the UK, in draught, bottled and canned formats.
“We’re incredibly proud to renew our contract with Founders and very much look forward to our continued adventure together.
We’re thrilled that the Founders philosophy and premium tasting portfolio is really starting to take effect here in the UK,” said Marston’s head of commercial marketing John Clements.
“We’re working with numerous independent operators, craft beer bars and the likes of Young’s, Castle Pub Company and Morrison’s to name just a few.
When I think about All Day IPA in particular, it really is all about the beer – it’s that good, we simply say to operators ‘just take the lid off and take a sip’.”
Founders Brewing Co. vice president of exports Brian May said: “We built Founders on an attitude of no regrets – an attitude of taking risks to bring the best beer possible to our fellow renegades and rebels.
We’re not just a brewery, we’re a family, consisting of a group of passionate beer enthusiasts that take what we do seriously – but don’t take ourselves too seriously. In short, we make beer for people like us.”
“We’re incredibly humbled by how much Founders has grown here in the US and we hope to replicate that success here in the UK by driving distribution in key retailers that are as passionate about great beer as we are.”
He added: “We hire for personality, passion and skill and Marston’s hugely mirrors these values.
They’re a highly respected brewer and operator, and we’re excited about this next chapter in our relationship, which will see us bring our passion for brewing to a UK audience – it’s going to be great fun.”
