Staying on top of beer distributors news and trends is a full time job as brewers large and small bring out new, seasonal and promotional beers. Understanding changes and trends in the beer distribution market helps your business stock the products your customers recognize and request. Keeping up with current news and trends helps you get the best wholesale beer prices from your beer distributor on the products you need.

Finding reliable sources for beer distributors news and trends keeps you ahead of the competition when new products are released and saves your business money by taking advantage of US beer distributors' promotions. When seeking reliable beer distribution news and trends, consider the following:

1. Find industry newsletters that break down beer distributor news into easy to read pieces.

2. Look for in-depth beer distributors' news and trends in magazines that focus on beer distribution.

3. Join an industry association for expert advice from industry professionals.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use beer distribution newsletters for daily or weekly updates on trends

Beer distribution companies, suppliers and industry associations offer newsletters to alert your business to industry changes. Seeing business conditions that affect your company is critical and newsletters are a great way to stay ahead in this market.

I recommend: Beer, Wine & Spirits Newsletter (BWS) focuses on industry information that impacts your business and distributor. BNP Media has a free newsletter that provides industry news in details.

Stay ahead of the competition with information found in beer distributor periodicals

Industry magazines provide more in-depth beer distributors news and trends to help decision makers, industry insiders and retail business owners stay on top of current trends. These magazines focus on best practices and money saving ideas.

I recommend: BeerNut Communications offers Beer Distributor Monthly, an industry focused magazine for beer distributing professionals. Beverage World offers free subscriptions to business owners and industry professionals as well as the latest news and information on industry trends.

Network with local, regional and national professionals at a beer distribution association

Being part of an industry association puts you in touch with beer distribution professionals and experts. Networking within the industry combines the experience of other professionals that face the same operational issues as your business. Finding answers to problems and making the most of products and promotions are just two of the benefits industry associations provide.

I recommend: The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) brings together industry professionals from around the country. The Empire State Beer Distributor Association (ESBDA) holds annual events and more for businesses in the New York area.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Beer distribution laws vary in every state and change regularly. Review local and state laws annually to ensure your business and suppliers operate under current regulations.

In the United States, a restaurateur cannot simply place an order with a brewery and have it shipped to the restaurant's door. Instead, restaurants and liquor stores must purchase beer through a licensed beer wholesaler.

The beer distributor's job is to deliver fresh, refrigerated wholesale beer to establishments that are allowed to sell alcohol and make sure the appropriate taxes are collected. This three-tier system was developed by lawmakers after Prohibition to help prevent alcohol abuse, and prevent minors from ordering straight from a producer.

Depending on the state, there are exceptions to this rule. For instance, microbreweries are allowed to make beer and sell it on-site with no middle man involved. Some microbreweries are also permitted to be their own distributor by applying for a special license.

But for the most part, a patchwork of distributors are responsible for supplying our nation's restaurants and liquor stores with wholesale beer. Your selection is limited by the offerings of the beer distributors licensed to sell in your area. Here's what you need to do to get started:

1. Find out what beer wholesalers handle sales in your region. Contact your state's beer wholesaler association to get a master list.

2. Get inventory lists to find out who sells what. Producers usually only grant one distributor with the right to sell their product in any given region, so that there aren't two or more beer wholesalers competing to sell you their product.

3. Work with a distributor to educate your staff about beer and keep abreast of market trends.

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Go straight to the producer

If you're looking for the distributor who sells a nationally distributed beer in your area, it's probably most convenient to get the producer's list of wholesalers. Some microbreweries also list their distributors on their websites.

I recommend: Check out the Anheuser-Busch Wholesaler Locater to find out who can get you Budweiser, Bud Light and Busch beer. The site allows you to search by state to find the distributor nearest you. Go to MyCoorsOnline and enter your zip code to get a list of their wholesalers. United States Beverage lists several wholesale beer distributors. An alphabetical list of wholesale beer distributors can be found on Micro Matic.

Search for local beer distributors

Nationally recognized brands are one thing, but there is an entire world of microbrews to consider. Different beer distributors specialize in catering to niche markets.

I recommend: Try Industry Monster to find beer wholesalers by state. BevNet is another site with a list of over a hundred wholesalers. Be warned that these lists are incomplete, however, because they rely on companies to add themselves to the list.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Since Miller is merging with Coors, many of their distributors are merging as well. Check with your Coors distributor to find out if this is the case in your region.
• •  Unfortunately, wholesale beer prices are not negotiable. However, distributors do offer specials.
• •  Find out what kind of beer distributor you're working with, as each has a unique niche in the market. Some are known for providing high-end products, some specialize in foreign imports, and some are known for selling at discount wholesale beer prices.
• •  Ask your customers what kinds of beer they would like to see on tap or in the refrigerator.
• •  Good beer distributors are in business to sell you and your staff on the product they are pushing. Find out if your beer distributor offers tastings or speakers to educate your staff so they can effectively introduce the beer to your customers.

With so many beer distributors across the country it is difficult to always know which ones will best serve your business. Beer distributors do more than just deliver cold refreshments, they provide signs and promotional materials that help your business sell more beer.

Carrying a full selection of beers often requires working with multiple beer distributors as each will specialize in specific brands. Local or small brewers may handle the beer distribution themselves depending on state laws. Finding the right beer wholesalers for your businesses makes ordering, stocking and managing your beer inventory easier. Keep the following in mind when working with beer distributors for your business:

1. Beer distributors can help you promote your beverages.

2. Working with beer distributors can create marketing and technology solutions for your business.

3. Leverage your beer distributor to take part in community events.

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Find promotional products and equipment through large beer distributors

US beer distributors have full time support staff to assist in locating hard to find beers and promotional materials. Large brewers distribute their beer through local distributors in all the states, and these distributors offer all kinds of free or inexpensive goods and services to help promote their beers.

I recommend: Nevada Beverage Company offers logos and artworks for your advertising, along with promotional materials for your business. Manhattan Beer Distributors offers a calendar of upcoming promotional events that your location can support and celebrate. Beer distributors throughout the nation offer similar services.

Take advantage of marketing and technology partnerships with your local beer wholesaler

Large beer distributors offer all kinds of incentives for you to use their services besides wholesale beer prices. They create partnerships with suppliers and other firms to develop marketing and technology services that help you do everything from track inventory to learn more about new and unique products.

I recommend: Republic National Distributing Company works with a variety of suppliers and beer distribution companies and offers distribution in many states. They partner with suppliers to create marketing and technology partnerships that help out local businesses like yours. Anheuser-Busch works with suppliers and distributors to train them in logistics and technology.

Promote responsible drinking with assistance from your beer distributor

Beer distributors are community leaders that promote responsibility and community events. Working with your local beer distributors to host or take part in events broadens your community contact and creates a safer environment for customers and patrons.

I recommend: The National Beer Wholesalers Association offers distributors information on alcohol responsibility they can share with bars and restaurants to inform their patrons. Beer Responsible (an Anheuser-Busch) affiliate, offers a variety of programs for distributors to offer to their customers, including Alert Cab that offers taxi rides to patrons that have had too much to drink.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Wholesale beer distributors licensed by both the state and federal government order their inventory through licensed importers and brewers. Never purchase beer directly from the brewer without verifying they are legally entitled to distribute their own products.

Beer distributors serve a key role in the entire beer industry. Without licensed beer distributors, there would be no regulation on buying and selling beer from the brewer to the retailer. The three-tier regulatory system allows beer distributors to sell barrels of beer at a regulated price as well as ensure that the beer is consumed responsibly. Knowing your beer distributor key terms can help you to understand the inner workings of the beer industry.

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Brewing

Brewing is the actual process that the beer ingredients go through to get the finished product. The nine important factors of brewing are universal and are essential to the production of beer.

I recommend: Merchant du Vin explains the traditional steps in the brewing process.

Pilsner

Pilsner, also known as pilsener or pils, is a beer that is pale in nature and is often used to refer to premium beer options. Not all pilsners have the same type of flavor profile, but they are mostly known for their strong, hoppy bitterness.

I recommend: The All About Beer Magazine gives a detailed history of the pilsner.

Microbreweries

Microbreweries are smaller scale brewers and are the only ones licensed to sell their product without the middleman. Microbreweries often make specialized beers to stand out from the major commercial beer producers.

I recommend: Drink Focus discusses the role of microbreweries in the beer industry.

Barrel, keg, pony-keg

A barrel refers to an amount of alcohol. Barrels in the U.S. measure 31.5 gallons. A keg is a half of a barrel, sold in 15.5 gallon increments. Kegs can also be purchased by the half, which is referred to as a pony-keg.

I recommend: The Beer Advocate defines the many increments in which beer can be purchased.

Three-tier regulatory system

The three-tier regulatory system provides a regulated system in which alcohol is sold to the retailer and the consumer. This system- from the manufacturer to the distributor to the retailer-ensures fair pricing and distribution of beer around the country.

I recommend: The Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois have a detailed diagram that explains how each tier works.

Hops

Hops are the cone-shaped female portion of the hop plant. Hops are the key ingredient in beer production and act to balance the sweet and the bitter basic tastes.

I recommend: Botanical.com gives a complete profile of hops.