SweetWater Officially Announces 2015 Chicago Distribution

ATLANTA (December 2015) – SweetWater Brewing Company is movin’ and shakin’ with plans to launch its craft brews in the Windy City in 2015, in what will be its northern-most distribution point to date. Following the brewery’s recent $19 million expansion, SweetWater plans to bring its lip-smackin’ lineup into Chicagoland’s craft beer mix in April.

After months of vetting and plenty of sampling at local watering holes, SweetWater proudly announces it will be working with Lakeshore Beverage to begin flowing in the market. Chicago locals can look forward to spotting the brewery’s iconic rainbow trout tap handles along with bottles and cans throughout the area in spring of 2015. Stay tuned for the full catch of local launch events and lineup details to come.

SweetWater’s expansion of brewing, packaging and shipping operations began in 2012, and quadrupled its overall capacity; earning a spot in the nation’s top 20 craft breweries in sales by volume according to the Brewer’s Association. SweetWater currently offers its aggressively hoppy ales throughout a total of 12 states and Washington D.C. The distribution extension into Chicago, along with plans to move into Texas in and a few other lucky states in Q1 of 2015, will bring SweetWater’s availability to 16 total states by mid-year.

“Coming on the heels of the fantastic launch for SweetWater in Ohio, we set our sights west to Chicago as this city rivals any in the country for its craft beer scene,” said Jeff Chassner, Director of New Market Business Development at SweetWater Brewing Company.

“After many nights out testing the waters (and fuzzy mornings looking back at our notes), we got down to business of finding the right partner to not only help us launch our brand, but also ensure that it would be positioned to grow for the long term.  There are some great wholesaler choices here, but Lakeshore Beverage was, for us, the best possible one to bring SweetWater to town.  I personally am looking forward to knocking back quite a few SweetWater’s in this great city very soon!”

To keep up-to-speed on SweetWater’s launch into the Chicago area, follow SweetWater’s facebook page at www.facebook.com/sweetwaterbrew or on twitter at @sweetwaterbrew. To learn more about SweetWater Brewing Company and its full lineup, visit www.sweetwaterbrew.com.