Atwater Signs With Craft Central & Mims For NC Distribution

Founded in 1997, Atwater Brewery of Detroit, Michigan brews their brands in a German-imported Kasper Schultz brew house using a brewing process that is more than 200 years old. Their commitment to staying true to the heritage style of traditional German lagers results in distinctly fresh and flavorful beers. A few of their most popular brands include Dirty Blonde, Vanilla Java Porter and Decadent Dark Chocolate Ale, a World Beer Cup Bronze Medal Winner.

“Teaming up with Craft Central is a big move for us,” said Mark Rieth, owner of Atwater Brewery. “This partnership gives us the ability to be in larger chains, diverse retailers and more bars and restaurants.”

“Atwater is a great brand,” said Chris Caffey, President and CEO of Craft Central. “They deserve to be available to the craft beer drinkers in North Carolina. We see great potential for them in our markets.”

Mims Distributing Company, a wholesale beverage distributor in North Carolina, has added Atwater Brewery to its roster of brewing partners. Founded in 1997, the Detroit-based brewery is one of Michigan’s oldest craft breweries, offering more than 20 brews, including Dirty Blonde Ale, Vanilla Java Porter and World Beer Cup award-winner Decadent Dark Chocolate Ale.

Housed in a 1919 factory warehouse, the tradition-rich brewery crafts heritage-style German lagers through a 200-year-old process used by the old Detroit breweries, as well as equipment imported from Germany. Atwater Brewery’s mission is to create brews that their employees want to drink, living up to their slogan, “We drink all we can and sell the rest.”

Owner Mark Rieth has helped grow the brewery to become the largest in metro Detroit and third-largest in Michigan. Last year, Atwater Brewery sold a record 40,000 barrels, a 68 percent increase over 2013. The brewery is expanding capacity to meet its goal of 60,000 barrels in 2015 by hiring an additional 20 employees. Atwater Brewery is also finalizing a production facility location in the Southeast and North Carolina is a major contender.

“We are excited to announce our partnership with Atwater Brewery,” said Chip Mims, CEO of Mims Distributing Company. “Mark and company have created awesome traditional lagers that will really impress North Carolina beer lovers. Mims cannot wait to introduce these brews to our expanding market.”

“We are so excited to enter the North Carolina craft beer market with Mims Distributing,” said Rieth. “Mims shares our love for great brews and this partnership will absolutely help us reach our distribution goals by connecting us to craft beer lovers throughout the state.”