Avery Brewing Co. today announced plans to withdraw from eight states and seven other partial-state markets beginning this month.
The Czar is a Russian Imperial Stout produced by Boulder, Colo.'s Avery Brewing Co. Avery announced today it is pulling out of select distribution markets.
Faced with skyrocketing demand — first quarter 2011 production growth for their home state of Colorado is 81 percent and overall production growth is 75 percent — the brewery has been forced to make the tough decision or lose the ability to support all markets with a steady supply of fresh beer.
Beginning in this month, beer shipments will be discontinued to Arizona, Connecticut, Indiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Rhode Island and Tennessee. Avery Brewing Co. hopes to re-enter these eight states at some point in the future once production capacity can catch up with demand.
The brewery is also leaving several partial state markets, including: Northern California (Bay Area and Sacramento), Eastern Arkansas, Upstate New York (outside of New York City), Central Florida (Orlando area) and Wisconsin.
Distribution of Avery beer in Alaska will not be affected.
“We all feel terrible about having to pull out of these markets. No matter how you cut it, it is disappointing that we’ll no longer be able to serve our loyal fans in these areas,” said Avery Brewing president and founder Adam Avery.
Avery Brewing Company is one of several craft breweries to announce such cuts in 2011, but these disappointing changes are actually the sign of a very positive trend in the industry.
Exponential sales growth for craft brewers indicated the craft beer movement continues to grow, attracting new beer connoisseurs and gaining “mindshare” with people of all demographics across the country.
“This is certainly unfortunate, but it was done with the best intentions,” said Ted Whitney, Avery national sales director. “It’s about getting fresher beer and better experiences for our customers.”
