Powers Distributing Company Named 2011 Craft Beer Distributor of the Year

DENVER, Oct. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) and the Brewers Association (BA) are proud to announce that Powers Distributing Company of Orion, Michigan, has been selected as the 2011 Craft Beer Distributor of the Year.  The Craft Beer Distributor of the Year Award, which is in its fifth year, recognizes a beer distributor who does the most to market, promote and sell craft beer.  NBWA and BA presented the award jointly today at the Great American Beer Festival® in Denver, Colorado.

In 2004, Powers Distributing Company launched International Beverage Company, a specialty beer division devoted to craft and specialty imported beer, which includes two Certified Cicerones® and six Certified Beer Servers in the Cicerone program on staff.  The company supports craft beer with tools such as social media, an extensive website featuring beer and food pairing and videos on pouring techniques and glassware for different craft beers, beer dinners, tastings and retail staff training and support.  Powers Distributing Company is praised by local brewers for representing their brands to major chain outlets, creating retail demand for their products and exerting marketing efforts that extend well beyond pickup and delivery.  

J. J. Taylor Distributing Florida, Inc. of Tampa, Florida, was also honored with the Craft Beer Distributor Achievement Award, and Gretz Beer Company of Norristown, Pennsylvania, received the Craft Beer Distributor Recognition Award.

"The entrepreneurial spirit of craft brewers continues to add energy and excitement to the American beer industry, and it is this excitement that fuels the more than 1,800 breweries in the U.S.," said NBWA President Craig Purser .  "The craft beer category continues to grow at double digit rates thanks in part to the strong relationship between craft brewers and beer distributors.  NBWA is proud to recognize Powers Distributing Company, J.J. Taylor Distributing Florida, Inc. and Gretz Beer Company for their role in strengthening the craft beer segment and bringing American consumers the most extensive choice and variety of beer in the world."

BA President Charlie Papazian added, "As the craft beer segment continues to grow and thrive, independent beer distributors are integral to its success.  Distributors like Powers Distributing Company, J. J. Taylor Distributing Florida, Inc. and Gretz Beer Company are key to successfully introducing new beer brands and innovative beer styles to markets across the country."

The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) represents the interests of America's 3,300 licensed, independent beer distributor operations in every state, congressional district and media market across the country. Beer distributors are committed to ensuring alcohol is provided safely and responsibly to consumers of legal drinking age through the three-tier, state-based system of alcohol regulation and distribution.

For more information about beer distributors, visitwww.AmericasBeerDistributors.com. 

The Brewers Association is the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American brewers, their craft beers and the community of brewing enthusiasts. The Brewers Association (BA) represents more than 70 percent of the brewing industry, and its members make more than 99 percent of the beer brewed in the U.S. The BA organizes events including the World Beer Cup®, Great American Beer Festival®, Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America®, SAVOR: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience and American Craft Beer Week. The BA publishes The New Brewer magazine and its Brewers Publications division is the largest publisher of contemporary and relevant brewing literature for today's craft brewers and homebrewers.

Beer lovers are invited to learn more about the dynamic world of craft beer at CraftBeer.com and about homebrewing via the BA's American Homebrewers Association. Follow us on Twitter. 

SOURCE National Beer Wholesalers Association

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