A new Australian beer distributor called Craft Revolution has opened its account with three brands owned by one of America’s top craft brewing companies.

Craft Brew Alliance is the fifth largest craft brewing company in the U.S. with a portfolio comprising Portland’s Widmer Bros Brewing, Seattle’s Redhook Brewery and Hawaii’s Kona Brewing Company.

The brands will now be distributed in Australia by Craft Revolution, which has been established by wholesaler Paramount Liquor, with Julie Hancock as national sales director.

“We decided about six months ago, when we started conversations with Craft Brew Alliance, that we would start our own craft beer division,” Paramount’s Nathan Rowe told Australian Brews News.

He said the company is looking for additional craft beer brands, both international and Australian, to supplement the Craft Revolution portfolio, which also includes Georgetown Trading Company’s 1776 American Brown Ale.

CBA and Paramount were introduced by Maarten Kruijtzer of specialist US craft beer exporter Craft Can Travel, who has long been seeking an Australian distribution partner for the brands.

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“I think, looking at all the emails from trade and Aussie consumers over the last three years asking for our brands, that the potential is significant,” he Australian Brews News.

“I expect Australia to be in the top five of our export network, currently covering 26 countries.”

CBA is a NASDAQ-listed company that is 32 per cent owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev, which is also its American distribution partner.

CBA head of innovation brewingBen Dobler will be in Australia later this month for a series of masterclasses for media and trade.

Consumers will be able to attend informal meet and greet sessions immediately following the masterclasses.

See flyer opposite for further information.

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