Shipyard & Sea Dog Relaunch Brands with New Distribution Network in Illinois

Portland, ME – Shipyard and Sea Dog Brewing Companies have made an exciting distribution change in the state of Illinois. As of August 15^th, Shipyard and Sea Dog partnered with the Chicago MillerCoors Distributor Cluster to distribute their award-winning handcrafted ales.

“We are excited about the opportunity for growth in Illinois,” says Fred Chapman, Shipyard and Sea Dog Regional Sales Manager. While Shipyard and Sea Dog ales have been available in the state in limited quantities over the last several years, Chapman notes that “our new distribution network of experienced and respected distributors will better enable us to reach the craft beer lovers in the state of Illinois.”

This change comes at a great time for the Maine-based breweries as Shipyard prepares to launch its well-known fall seasonal, Pumpkinhead Ale, for the fall 2015 season. Pumpkinhead is Shipyard’s most widely distributed ale and the top selling brand in its portfolio of over 20 styles of beer.

Shipyard Brewing Company evolved from Federal Jack’s brew pub in Kennebunk, Maine and was established on Portland’s working waterfront in 1994. In 2014 Shipyard produced 162,000 bbls of beer, making it the 25th largest craft brewery in the US. Shipyard presently owns and operates 11 brewpubs in Maine, New Hampshire, and Florida.

Shipyard is a family owned company rooted in tradition and brimming with innovation. Its flagship North-American style golden ale, Shipyard Export, is the foundation of the brewery’s diverse portfolio that includes a range of hoppy IPA’s, innovative fruit beers, and classic English ales. The newest addition to the Shipyard lineup, a Rye IPA called Little Horror of Hops, will hit shelves nationwide this September.

Bars, restaurants and off-premise retail accounts can now access Shipyard and Sea Dog beer statewide through the following OneIllinois Cluster distributors:

Baumgarten Distributing Co, Inc., Burke Beverage, Inc., Chas. Herdrich and Son, Inc., Chicago Beverage Systems LLC, Euclid Beverage, George A Mueller Beer Co, Hayes Beer Distributing Company, Hayes Beer Distributing of Rockford, Joseph Mullarkey Distributors, Kloss Distributing Co, Koerner Distributor, Inc., Kozol Brothers, Inc., Mississippi Belle Distributing, Orange & Blue Distributing Co, Ra-Jac Distributing Co, Robert Chick Fritz Distributing and Town & Country Distributors.