With more than 2,400 breweries in operation across America and more than 13,000 labels of beer for consumers to enjoy, America’s beer distributors play a fundamental role in getting beer to consumers. It’s an exciting time for the beer industry; with the popularity of craft beer on the rise, distributors are not only partnering with brewers and retailers in new and creative ways to market this new bounty of beer, but they are also partnering with bloggers who have been crucial in delivering the message about the world of beer to American consumers!
What does a distributor do? America’s 3,300 independent beer distributor operations source beer from the largest multinational beer brands to start-up craft brewers and provide the infrastructure and personnel they need to reach a wide network of retailers – more than 500,000 licensed retail accounts across the country.
Distributors’ state-of-the-art warehouses and fleets of temperature-controlled trucks and vehicles preserve these perishable products, and distribution employees efficiently transport and deliver all types of beer to local retailers.
Distributors’ sales and merchandising professionals promote each label of beer they sell, helping brewers maximize sales and build brands through store level merchandising, product promotion, marketing initiatives and local event sponsorships. And with a lot of help from bloggers, they also educate retailers and consumers about new product categories, beer styles and ways to best enjoy beer.
This year, BBC attendees will have the opportunity to taste just a few of the great beers that America’s beer distributors help bring to market during a beer pairing lunch sponsored by the National Beer Wholesalers Association. David Mevoli, communications and marketing manager for Massachusetts beer distributor L. Knife and Son Inc., will guide attendees through a selection of food and beer pairings. Mevoli is a veteran of the beer distribution industry who works with a company portfolio of more than 300 brands of domestic, craft and imported beers. As a Certified Cicerone, Mevoli now leads fellow beer enthusiasts in weekly study classes to prepare others for their level 2 exam.
With the wide selection of styles and brands of beer available today, there is no shortage of pairing options that are sure to make any meal taste better! We think this year’s lunch will be informative, fun, and delicious!
The National Beer Wholesalers Association, sponsor of this year’s conference, represents the interests of America’s 3,300 licensed, independent beer distributor operations and their 130,000 employees.
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