US Beverage, LLC, (USB) has shaped a spirits division to deal with craft spirit manufacturers. It will embody the exploding RTD/RTS section.
“For practically three many years, U.S. Beverage has been targeted on leveraging our nationwide community to construct craft and imported beers and FMB manufacturers,” says Justin Fisch, USB President and CEO. ”On account of these efforts, we have now an distinctive staff that may present a full suite of providers for home and import manufacturers, together with gross sales and advertising, regulatory, and back-of-house logistics. We’ve additionally constructed an excellent community of huge and small distributors throughout the nation so it solely is sensible so as to add a staff who can leverage our distinctive expertise and present community to serve spirit manufacturers who’re searching for a extra environment friendly path to market to gas their continued progress.”
The brand new division can be led by Ken Aufiero, who joins USB as Director of Spirits. Aufiero brings greater than 20 years of gross sales, advertising, distributor and provider expertise within the wine and spirits business, working for corporations resembling Bacardi, Fedway Associates and Proximo Spirits. The Spirits Division has lately welcomed new additions to the USB portfolio: Brody’s Crafted Cocktails and Beehive Distilling, which be a part of Dewey Crush, who signed with USB earlier in 2024.
In keeping with analysis carried out by the American Craft Spirits Affiliation, U.S. craft spirits are shedding total market share to giant producers as market entry turns into more and more restricted. On the similar time, craft manufacturers in search of progress past their residence states are searching for entry to a regional footprint.
“For a while, consolidation has been stifling alternatives for craft spirit manufacturers to get on the radar of the multi-national organizations,” says Fisch. “On account of our long-term historical past with most giant and mid-tier distributors, we’re capable of leverage our quantity relationship to assist craft manufacturers construct the distribution community that matches the subsequent stage of their progress, whereas including the model constructing packages distributors don’t have time to develop and execute. On the similar time, we’re capable of tackle a number of the day-to-day administration of spirit manufacturers that Distributors face, which streamlines the method for them, whereas enhancing the service for suppliers.”
US Beverage offers gross sales, advertising and path to market providers for a portfolio which incorporates UINTA Brewing Co., acquired by USB in 2022, in addition to a world portfolio of manufacturers resembling Moosehead Lager, Erdinger, Malibu Splash glowing malt drinks, Captain Lawrence, Innis & Gunn, Cervecería La Tropical, the Damm portfolio of manufacturers: Estrella Damm Lager, INEDIT, DAURA and DAURA IPA, Czechvar, Superior Cerveza, Birra Moretti, Dragon Stout, Alfa Beer, Sagres, Krusovice, Zagorka, Zajecarsko, Dewey Crush RTD, Brody’s Crafted Cocktails and Beehive Distilling.
USB is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut.
