Stone Distributing Co. Adds New Supplier Partners

From Stone:

Craft-centric distributor expands portfolio adding hard coffee and ready-to-drink spirits

ESCONDIDO, CA  (September 22, 2021) – Stone Distributing Co. (SDC) announces the addition of four new supplier partners to its portfolio of craft alcoholic beverages. The distributor now accounts for nearly 20% share of the Southern California craft beer market – the nation’s largest. New supplier partners include:

Bomani Cold Buzz – Alcohol-infused cold brew coffee that clocks in at only 110 calories, zero carbs, 0g sugar, and gluten-free with about as much naturally-occurring caffeine as just over a half a cup of coffee. This is the distributor’s first dedicated hard coffee beverage company.

Crowns & Hops Brewing Co. – SDC took on a temporary distributor role in 2020 and has since signed full rights in Southern California to Crown & Hops Brewing Co.’s craft beers. The brewery is female, and veteran owned and the first black-owned craft beer brand in Inglewood, CA.  Stone is proud to support the brewery in fostering diversity in the craft beer industry. 

Tarantula Hill Brewing Co. – Based in Thousand Oaks, CA, the Tarantula Hill team recognized a local need for a hometown brewery and its success now calls for broader SoCal distribution. The brewery’s Lead Brewer and Master Brewer are past Stone Brewing team members, each having spent nearly a decade with the company.

Villager Spirits – Hand-crafted premium canned cocktails, uniquely positioned as gluten free with less sugar. Villager Spirits are entirely new to the market with SDC taking on its initial run of distribution. SDC currently distributes ready-to-drink cocktails from craft brewery partners but this will be its first dedicated RTD brand locally based in SoCal.

“Stone Distributing is experiencing really strong momentum,” expressed Maria Stipp, Stone Brewing CEO.  “Our overall business is up 11% vs. last year. We’ve also had a strong return in the on premise, currently around 80% of our placements are back vs. 2019.   We’re fortunate to be in this position alongside brands we really admire.”

The above partners join other recent newcomers to SDC including Societe Brewing, Jiant Hard Kombucha and Spindrift Spiked. SDC is among the nation’s largest distributors of independent craft beer. It has also become the nation’s largest hard kombucha distributor, now supplying Jiant, Boochcraft and Juneshine and continues to expand its portfolio in the craft alcohol space.

ABOUT STONE DISTRIBUTING CO.

It pays to work well with others. Stone Brewing began self-distributing in 1996. In the spirit of craft beer camaraderie, it eventually determined in 2000 that the company could provide distribution resources to other specialty and craft brands as well. It is now among the largest independent distributors of craft-only beverages in the country. SDC is known for its impeccable care of the brands it represents, including drivers who are all specially trained in handling craft beverages and 100% refrigerated trucks and storage. SDC services nearly all of Southern California. For a list of brands distributed by the company, visit StoneDistributing.com/craft-brands.