Special Legislative Conference Issue • March 2012
THE
ROUTE
Message from the Chairman and the President:
Welcome to Washington, D.C.
T
hank you for being engaged in the future of your business and
industry by taking the time to be here in Washington, D.C., for
the 2012 NBWA Legislative Conference. We hope that you will enjoy
this newsletter’s look at the activities of your Association, including
the member services that are highlighted in this edition. Don’t miss
reading profiles of some of the women in the beer distribution industry,
a snapshot of distributor business anniversaries and a look at distributors
that are embracing solar power and other green technologies.
This year’s Legislative Conference is a crucial time for us to congregate
and advocate for your business, the independent beer distribution
industry and state alcohol regulation. You are the best voice to educate
your elected representatives about the beer distribution industry and the
three-tier system of alcohol distribution. It is important that members
of Congress and their staff see some of the 98,000 faces of the American beer industry who work to ensure
that the greatest choice, variety and selection of beer is delivered safely and efficiently to store shelves and
bar taps across the country.
While we are gathered in Washington, we will advocate for legislative policies that work to preserve,
protect and grow your investment in the independent beer distribution industry. We will discuss a number of
policy issues that impact beer distributors.
We think you will agree that this year’s Conference schedule is packed with opportunities that will make
your time in Washington worthwhile:
• General Session Featuring a Craft Beer Panel and NBC News Political Director and Chief White
House Correspondent Chuck Todd: Monday, March 26, 8:30 a.m. – Noon
• Distributor Member Meeting: Monday, March 26, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
• Senate Congressional Reception: Monday, March 26, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Charlie Palmer Steak
• House Majority Leader Eric Cantor: Tuesday, March 27, 7:30 a.m.
• House Congressional Reception: Tuesday, March 27, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Library of Congress
James Madison Memorial Building Montpelier Room
A full schedule for the 2012 NBWA Legislative Conference is available at www.nbwa.org/dc12. Thank
you for taking the time to join us as we advocate for the independent beer distribution industry on Capitol
Hill. We appreciate all that you do for this great industry!
Steve LytleCraig Purser
2011-2012 NBWA Chair
NBWA President & CEO
#NBWADC12
Schedule a Warehouse Visit With Your Member of Congress!
W
hile you are meeting face-to-face with your member of Congress on Capitol
Hill, be sure to invite them to visit your warehouse! After your meeting, ask
to speak with the office scheduler to determine a time when the member will be in
your area and available for a tour. District work periods are great opportunities to
catch your member of Congress while they are home in your district. If you can’t nail
something down during your meeting, follow up with the scheduler!
When a member of Congress tours your operation, follow these tips for a successful warehouse visit:
• Prepare for the member of Congress: Prepare a welcome banner for their
arrival. Make sure your warehouse is in top form.
• Conduct your warehouse visit as though it were a mini town hall
meeting: This visit is one of the best ways for you and your employees
to really converse with your member of Congress about the issues that
matter most to you. At the end of the warehouse tour, assemble your
employees for an informal but informative gathering.
• Organize your employees before the member of Congress arrives: Make sure to have a wide variety of employees present. The member
of Congress will enjoy hearing from everyone and should be ready for
many different questions. Make sure the tour showcases your warehouse
in action – including trucks being loaded, workers driving forklifts, signs
being printed in the print shop, etc.
• Talk about what you know: Your employees have the chance to talk about
issues that affect them as beer distributors. They should come to the “mini town
hall” armed with questions about issues that matter to them. The topics discussed could range from spending to health care to gas prices. They should also
feel free to educate their member of Congress by talking about the great things
they do for the community as beer distributors.
• Take pictures: Pictures of your visit can be submitted for inclusion in NBWA’s
Beer Route and other publications.
Distributors: Visit NBWA’s Grassroots & Political Action Center!
I
t’s never been so easy to be politically
involved! NBWA distributor members can now log on to a brand new
members-only website that showcases
features of both NBWA’s Grassroots
Mobilization Campaign and the Political Action Committee (PAC).
Highlights of this one-stop Grassroots & Political Action Center
include:
• Your Legislator: Enter your
address to access state and federal
legislators.
• Voter Registration
• Grassroots Mobilization Form
• Action Center: View “grassroots
in action” photos and frequently
asked questions.
• Legislative Glossary
• State maps featuring up-todate PAC contributions and
disbursements: Access contributions made to NBWA and disbursements made to federal candidates in your state.
To access these features and more,
simply log on to www.nbwa.org and visit
the Grassroots & Political Action Center
tab which will direct you to the site.
Please contact NBWA Federal Affairs
Assistant Mary Lou Hughston at
[email protected] or (800) 300-6417
with any questions.
Beer Distributors’ Voice on Capitol Hill
W
elcome to the nation’s capital! Thank you for being a part of the 2012 NBWA Legislative Conference. Nobody is more
effective in educating Congress about your businesses, the jobs you provide and the state-based system of alcohol regulation than you are. Before you head to the Hill, I want to update you on what NBWA has been working on
this year while you’ve been at home selling beer.
Congress decided to save the U.S. Postal Service from impending default with legislation designed to
allow it to better compete with UPS and FedEx. In other words, let the mail man do everything the UPS or
FedEx guy can do, including delivering wine and beer. The draft bill included a widely-supported provision
that would have allowed the U.S. Postal Service to complete the shipment of alcohol without respect for state
laws. Pursuant to NBWA’s long-standing position of supporting state laws governing alcohol sales, we succeeded in adding language to the final bill that requires the U.S. Postal Service to strictly follow state alcohol
laws governing the direct shipment of alcohol. This sends a strong message that Congress stands by the 21st
Amendment and intends for states to maintain their ability to regulate alcohol.
NBWA also has been actively lobbying on the transportation reauthorization bill. We worked closely with Transportation Committee leaders to ensure that the draft bill would not include any mandates for ignition interlocks for first-time
offenders. While NBWA and the Beer Institute have long been on record supporting the use of interlock devices for highBAC and repeat offenders, our strategic opposition to any federal mandates is in line with our strong support for a state’s
ability to regulate alcohol. We were happy to see that the final draft of the bill does not mandate that states enact first-time
offender ignition interlock laws.
Tax reform has been, and will continue to be, a hot topic in Congress and on the campaign trail this year – and it will be a key
issue to talk about during your meetings on Capitol Hill. Many of the ideas being discussed include threats to S corporations.
Some proposals suggest eliminating certain tax benefits of pass-through businesses and using the revenue raised to reduce the
corporate tax rate. We have worked closely with others in the small business community to educate Congress about S corporations and other pass-through businesses and the dangers of taking away their tax benefits. NBWA will continue to be vigilant
and outspoken about any efforts to modify a beer distributor’s ability to amortize intangibles, use accelerated depreciation, the
Last-In-First-Out (LIFO) method of accounting and other such tax treatments used by pass-through businesses. Additionally,
NBWA continues to advocate for permanent and meaningful estate tax reform.
Among other important issues to raise in your Hill visits is an Obama Administration proposal that could harm the primary
federal regulatory agency for alcohol and upset the current federal-state balance of alcohol regulation. Some bureaucrats in the
Treasury Department want to reorganize the operations of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) and split its
tax collection and alcohol regulation responsibilities between the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA). NBWA believes it is crucial for the TTB to remain intact and fully-funded. During your Hill visit, you will
ask your senators and representatives to oppose any effort to dismantle the TTB.
Another federal agency that you’ll discuss in your Hill meetings is the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC has
a well-documented history of opposition to the three-tier system and state-based alcohol regulation. While the primary
regulation of alcohol does not fall under the jurisdiction of the FTC, the agency continues to expand its policy grab into the
alcohol arena. Congress needs to be active in its oversight of the FTC to ensure that the agency does not preempt the rights
of states under the 21st Amendment.
Last, but certainly not least, this Congress continues to show support for state-based alcohol regulation. It’s impressive
that 117 members of Congress have co-sponsored the CARE Act, showing their support for the three-tier system and commitment to preserving the state’s ability to regulate alcohol and sending an unmistakable message to those who are trying to
deregulate alcohol through litigation. I have spoken with nearly all of those co-sponsors, who consistently tell me that they
realize alcohol is different. It’s not like other consumer products – which is why they want decisions about alcohol to be made
in their state and local communities, by state and local leaders. They value today’s system that generates a level playing field
for businesses large and small and provides incredible choice and variety for consumers.
Thank you again for coming to the nation’s capital to put a face on America’s beer distribution industry. I look forward to
joining many of you for meetings on Capitol Hill and afterward for a cold beer! Cheers!
Michael W. Johnson
NBWA Executive Vice President & Chief Advocacy Officer
WOMEN
ONTH
M
C
HISTORY
’S
NBWA Celebrates Women in the
Beer Distribution Industry
ongress has designated March as Women’s History Month across the United States. In that spirit, NBWA is proud to
profile a few of the women who have impacted the beer distribution industry and have made lasting contributions to
their communities.
Role model or mentor: My
Regine N. Archer
dad was my mentor and
Chairman of the Board
my role model. He not only
Blue Ridge Beverage Company, Inc.
taught me about the beer
Headquarters in Salem, VA (with locations in Waynesboro,
business and politics, he
Lynchburg, South Boston and Marion, VA)
taught me the most imporYears with company: 53, since my late husband James M.
tant life lessons like how
to treat your employees
Archer, Jr. and I purchased the company in 1959
Favorite thing about the beer distribution industry:
like family and to always
remember you make your
Interacting with people—employees, family, customers,
suppliers, vendors and fellow distributors.
living from the community
and owe something back.
Role model or mentor: I am
proud of all my children’s conFavorite beer: MGD
tributions to the company, but
Favorite industry memory: I have a unique favorite
memory, the moment I took the stage at the NBWA
son Bob was instrumental in
Convention as the first female Chairman. I am waiting
working with me from a young
age (25) to secure and grow the
for the next woman to follow me.
company after my husband’s
Favorite NBWA memory: When I was Chairman, Conuntimely death in 1972.
gress passed the STOP Act. It was quite a testament to
Favorite beer: Anything Belthe good work that can be done even with groups that
gian, since I am from Belgium!
don’t see eye to eye. So when it was signed into law, it
Favorite industry memory:
was huge!
Watching brands grow and
Honors: First female Chairman of the Maryland Chamdevelop, particularly the explober of Commerce, named to the Maryland Business
sive growth of Miller Lite (and Miller Brewing ComHall of Fame, Miller Legend
pany) in the 1970s
Favorite NBWA memory: Received an NBWA Life SerSandy Wright Kibby
vice Award in 2005—my six children planned a surVice President of Human Resources
prise—all of them sneaked into Las Vegas and were
Wright Distributing Co., Inc.
there for its presentation, leaving me speechless in front
Headquarters in Bastrop, TX; my branch is in New
of several thousand attendees!
Braunfels, TX; and we have another branch in Taylor, TX
Honors: 2005 NBWA Life Service Award, 2006 Miller
to service 13 rural counties in
Legend
Central TX
Years with company: My parBetty Buck
ents Louis and Virginia Wright
President
founded the business in 1948;
Buck Distributing Company
so, I grew up in the business. I
Upper Marlboro, Maryland
became fully involved in about
Years with company: 37
1993.
Favorite thing about the beer distribution industry:
Favorite thing about the
Continuing to grow our family business and watch my
beer distribution industry:
kids grow into it and love it like my Dad did!
I love the family legacies that
I still see in the industry. Even though industrial efficiencies have caused brand mergers and consolidations,
there is still a great deal of family longevity in our industry. My son is the third generation in our family to be
involved. It’s a tough and very competitive business that
ebbs and flows with the economy, but we have learned to
survive the ups and downs.
Role model or mentor: All of the women whom I have
observed as leaders in the beer industry including Betty
Buck, a former NBWA Chair.
Favorite beer: I drink only our non-alcoholic products
now, mostly Sharp’s (Miller’s NA) and St. Paulie Girl
NA.
Favorite industry memory: When our company name
was called out as a winner of the High Life Achievement Award. Standing on the stage among our awardwinning peers was thrilling, to be the best of the best.
Favorite NBWA memory: When I served as a representative from Texas on the Board of Directors and Management Committee (2003-2005). Taking off our brand
hats and working together to protect the three-tier system, to promote responsible use of our products, and
to preserve the integrity of the beer industry were very
gratifying experiences.
Leadership: Current President of the Wholesale Beer
Distributors of Texas, Chair-Elect of the New Braunfels
Chamber of Commerce
Donna L. Spagnola
President/CFO
Central Beverage Company
Broadview, IL
Years with company: 25
Favorite thing about the
beer distribution industry: My favorite “personal”
thing is the overall sense of
camaraderie and the blurring of work/family/social
life because it is a business of
enjoyment and entertainment. My favorite “business”
thing is the ability to be involved in all aspects of the
business because it’s small enough but big enough.
Role model or mentor: First, my parents. My mother
is beautiful, book-smart and classy; my father is rugged, street-smart and spunky. I think I’ve inherited a
bit of both! Second, a woman I worked with in public
accounting prior to Central Beverage. I first thought
she was a demanding taskmaster but came to realize
she was trying to help me earn my way and make my
place in work…and life. She is now one of my best
friends, and we travel the world together. Third, my
former boss and the former owner of our company,
Bruce Ruzgis. His personality and charisma match his
6’7” frame. There are too many stories to even begin to
tell about how and what Bruce taught me about the
beer business and life.
Favorite beer: I was weaned on Old Style, but my two
new favorites are PBR tallboys and Bells Oberon.
Favorite industry memory: Being called one of the “best
beer guys” in the business.
Leadership: First female chair of Associated Beverage
Distributors of Illinois
Laurie Brown Watson
Vice President/
General Partner
Brown Distributing Company,
Ltd.
Austin, Texas
Years with company: 29
Favorite thing about the
beer distribution industry: The beer business is a
fun business. It’s tough and
competitive, but I love the
people. They are all real and down to earth. Beer is a beverage that all people in all walks of life enjoy, and consuming beer is generally associated with having a good
time with good people. There is nothing mundane about
this business. The industry is constantly changing with
new challenges and opportunities.
Role model or mentor: My father taught me the importance of hard work and integrity in this business. “Always
do what’s right and never second guess your decision”
was something he would say to me. He instilled in me
a passion and desire to win. There are also many people
in the industry who took the time to help me and teach
me when I was a very young woman trying to make it
in a man’s business. They patiently answered my many
questions and never made me feel inadequate. Some I
remember are Mike McKinney, Wade Spilman, Troy
Lagrone, Shannon Ratliff and Mike Hopkins.
Favorite beer: Budweiser
Leadership: Past president of Wholesale Beer Distributors of Texas
Continued on next page
Jan Pearlstine Lipov
Owner/Director
Pearlstine Distributors and Pearlstine Family Companies
Charleston, SC
Years with company: Think I’ve always been in a beer job.
This has never been a job — it’s in the genes.
Favorite thing about the beer distribution industry: The ability to be with people who are constantly
challenging the way things are done. The industry is so
dynamic. Never status quo. This has spilled into everything in my life. You are surrounded by interesting people
who are forward thinkers.
Role model or mentor: My
father, Edwin Pearlstine.
Favorite beer: Bud Light
Favorite NBWA memory:
NBWA has been a great tool for
Larry and my family to really
get more involved in the industry and be a more informed
wholesaler.
Community involvement: I
always list my job as philanthropist. This business has
allowed me to meet so many community leaders and get
involved in so many great causes. Almost too many to
list. I am currently involved on the board of Ashley Hall
School, WINGS for kids, MUSC Hollings Cancer citizens advisory board and the Jewish endowment agency.
Are You Receiving
Important Distributor
Updates from NBWA?
With so many key issues at stake, it
is imperative for NBWA to have an
open line of communication with
all distributor members. If you
have not been receiving critical
distributor information via email,
then NBWA needs your updated
contact information!
Email NBWA Sr. Manager,
Membership Development
Meghan Cassidy at mcassidy@
nbwa.org right now to make sure
your contact information is up-todate in NBWA’s database.
Susan Pearlstine
Owner/Director
Pearlstine Distributors and
Pearlstine Family Companies
Charleston, SC
Years with company: 30
Favorite thing about the
beer distribution industry: The pace and entrepreneurial nature required
to meet the challenges and
opportunities that present
daily. Then there are the fascinating, smart and motivated people that are also attracted to this industry. We
get to interact with a broad range of people who inspire
(and frustrate!) and keep life interesting.
Role Model/Mentor: My father, Edwin Pearlstine.
Favorite beer: Budweiser. It’s always my beer of choice.
Favorite industry memory: When our family was
acknowledged and recognized at the Anheuser-Busch
convention for having been a partner with them starting during Prohibition when I.M. Pearlstine and Sons
bought a company that sold Bevo.
Favorite NBWA memory: Recently when my father was
honored with the NBWA Lifetime Achievement Award
while my daughter Amy Foster was working at NBWA
launching her sure-to-be successful career.
Community involvement: Jan and I currently manage
the Pearlstine Family Fund which gives to many organizations in the South Carolina low country and state.
Deb Auen
General Manager
Norfolk Beverage Co. Inc.,
Norfolk, NE
Years with company: 21
Favorite thing about the
beer distribution industry:
The sense of family that exists
among the wholesalers and
within our own company.
Role model or mentor: Gary
Blinn took ownership of Norfolk Beverage after his father
retired in 1982. I’ve had the opportunity to work with
and learn from Gary for the last 21 years. One of the
many things he taught me was that the true meaning of
leadership is the development of people.
Favorite beer: I have to pick just one?
Favorite industry memory: I vividly remember back
when there were very few women in management positions of beer distributorships. I attended my first State
Association meeting years ago; I was the first and only
female employee of a wholesalership to attend one for
our state. When a fellow wholesaler introduced me to
another wholesaler, he said “Have you met Deb? She’s
Gary’s office girl.” I knew right then that I had my work
cut out for me in order to be accepted as a professional
woman by this industry. Several years later I became the
first non-family-related woman to be brewery approved
Successor Manager of an AB Distributorship.
Favorite NBWA memory: There isn’t just one memory
that comes to mind when thinking of past NBWA
events, but many. I have memories of working with a
progressive, professional, and caring NBWA staff. I also
have memories of making wonderful friendships with
other distributors, of visiting some interesting cities, and
of being proud that I’m part of this organization.
Leadership: Past president of Associated Beverage Distributors of Nebraska
Kimberly A. Clements
President
Golden Eagle Distributors, Inc.
Headquarters in Tuscon, AZ (Seven offices in AZ)
Years with company: 19
Favorite thing about the beer distribution industry:
Happy Hour
Role model or mentor: Too many to acknowledge! So,
I’ll say - kind, genuine, inspiring, characters who teach.
Favorite beer: Profitable ones
that I sell. Good local brews
when I travel.
Favorite industry memory:
My Dad used to take me to his
office all the time when I was a
kid. I knew what he did. I used
to sit there at his desk and play
with the calculator. I knew his
employees. I knew our brands. I
knew our commercials. I’m sure
he was very proud when his
kids decided to officially join
him at the company. (He passed away the year after my
brother, Chris, and I joined the company).
Favorite NBWA memory: Testifying on the estate tax on
behalf of NBWA to the House Ways and Means Committee (1998)
Leadership/community involvement: Board of Directors for Angel Charity for Children, Inc., Vice President of The Wings Like Eagles Foundation, Board of
the Kids of Steele, Honorary Board of the Southern AZ
AIDS Foundation, Member of the Southern AZ Roadrunners, Humane Society Volunteer
Sandy Muller
CEO
Muller, Inc.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Years with company: 23
Favorite thing about the beer
distribution industry: Providing quality jobs for my team and
seeing them provide for their
families. I have several bookshelves in my office with mugs
from the various colleges and
trade schools the children of my employees attend.
Role model or mentor: Jack Muller
Favorite beer: That is like asking which child is my favorite, I love them all.
Favorite industry memory: Watching Jack Muller at the
age of 92 still working and loving the beer business.
Favorite NBWA memory: The recognition/honor given
by NBWA to Jack Muller upon his passing.
Leadership/community involvement: Abington Hospital, Union League of Philadelphia, Irish Society,
National Italian American PAC
Keep Up With NBWA at NBWA.org!
N
BWA’s website –www.nbwa.org – serves the Association as a powerful communications, educational
and marketing tool. It highlights the effectiveness of
today’s state-based alcohol regulation system and the
important contributions America’s 3,300 licensed, independent beer distributors make every day across the
country. The site appeals to a diverse audience and offers
a wide range of content including:
Daily News Scroll
Educational Videos
Informational Brochures
Industry Studies
Event Details
Press Releases
Public Service
Announcements
• Cooking with Beer
Recipes
• Beer Pairing Tips
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Visit www.nbwa.org today and check out these features and more!
Member
Services
NBWA Offers New Member
Services
N
BWA continues to look for new ways to serve its members and is excited to announce several exciting new insurance
programs to benefit distributors. Check out these new programs, along with information on existing services and products that can help grow your distribution business, compare your company’s productivity to others in the industry or save
money on energy:
New Ameritas Group Dental and Vision Plan for NBWA Members
N
BWA and Ameritas Group are excited to announce that flexible dental and vision plans
are now available to distributor members through the NBWA Insurance Program.
With these affordable and flexible plans, there is no need for changes in plan design for
groups that currently have coverage. Groups without coverage can choose from a selection
of four plans unique to NBWA. The plan also offers non-contributory, contributor and volunteer options. With Ameritas-designed plans, distributor members will receive a cost savings of up to 15% off stand-alone rates and benefits similar to those of a larger
group. For additional information concerning the plans, visit www.whyameritas.com/nbwa.
Ameritas Group appreciates strong community relationships and wants to support the commitment
Membership
distributors have to their local communities. According to Ken VanCleave, president of Ameritas Group
Benefit!
Division, Ameritas created this program to help encourage those relationships, while giving these smaller
groups an opportunity to take advantage of large group pricing and other unique benefits that might not
otherwise be available.
Coverage features include:
• Access to Ameritas’ PPO Network – plan members are free to receive care from any dentist they choose.
• Dental rewards – a valuable feature that allows qualifying plan members to carry over part of their unused annual
maximum.
• Ease of understanding – there is no coinsurance involved in these plans, which have their own schedule of maximum
covered expenses for each procedure.
NEW
Limited Benefit Medical Plans
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BWA and BevCap Management
LLC are excited to offer Limited
Benefit Medical Plans as part of the
NBWA Insurance Program, in addition
to workers’ compensation, general liability and auto insurance plans.
The plans are guarantee issue Limited Benefit Medical programs that
provide a wide array of first-dollar accident and sickness coverage, including specified benefits for doctor office
visits, accident medical care, health
screenings, in-hospital indemnity benefits, accidental death and dismember-
ment coverage and more.
The mission is to add value at your
worksite. This program has the flexibility to meet the needs of a full-time and
part-time workforce as well as address
the needs of those who need coverage
for just their dependents. BevCap understands affordability and can accommodate an array of price points with flexible
plan designs and pharmacy options.
Coverage features include:
• Easy online, phone and paper
enrollment methods
• More effective medical benefit
options that allow companies to
build on their benefit packages
and remain “employers of choice”
• Vision plan – $20 Co-pay for
exams and frames, $80 allowance
for lenses/contacts
• Each plan is completely customizable to meet your company’s
unique needs.
For more information about
NBWA-endorsed insurance pro­
viders, contact Membership
and Meetings Assistant Maggie
Graham at (800) 300-6417 or
[email protected].
Property & Casualty Insurance Program Developed by Beer Distributors
for Beer Distributors
N
BWA is proud to partner with BevCap Management LLC to offer a
property and casualty insurance program specifically tailored to
NBWA distributor members. This new NBWA
member benefit launched
September 1, 2011.
BevCap Management was founded
to write beer distributors property and
casualty insurance and is offering a program with key coverage enhancements
targeted to NBWA members. Lines
of business eligible for the program
include worker’s compensation (available mono-line); auto liability and auto
physical damage; and general liability.
This groundbreaking program allows
each member’s current agent to continue
to act as their broker and keep intact
their often long-standing local relationships,” said Patti Rouzie, NBWA Vice
President of Meetings and
Membership.
The program includes
loss control specifically tailored for NBWA members
and enhanced training opportunities.
The program also allows the distributor’s current agent to retain control of
their account and write this coverage
at their usual commission rate, or BevCap can work with NBWA members
directly to meet their insurance needs.
Lance Abbot and Amy Wagner with
BevCap, who have more than 35 years
of combined experience in insuring
and working with beer distributors, will
NBWA’s Go-to-Guide for Beer
Distributors
Looking for products and services
to meet your business needs? NBWA
helps beer distributors cut
through the
clutter of traditional search
engine results
with the Goto-Guide for
Beer Distributors. The Guide offers
targeted searches using either a keyword or a directory search by product
category. Go to www.nbwa.org today
to visit the Guide and see how it can
work for you!
3,000 beer distributors and suppliers
to the industry. To order an additional
copy, contact Sr. Manager of Membership Development Meghan Cassidy at [email protected].
Who’s Who in Beer Distributing
NBWA publishes its official membership directory annually, providing the industry with comprehensive
information about distributorships
across the United States, NBWA associate members, state associations and
more. The directory lists more than
Distributor Productivity Report
NBWA offers members the Distributor Productivity Report, an
industry-wide research effort designed
to serve as an actionable tool for firms
to evaluate their company’s operating
results in order to pinpoint strengths,
weaknesses and improvement opportunities. The report
is published every
other year, with
the 2011 Distributor Productivity
Report now available. Order your
copy today by picking up an order
form at the NBWA registration desk
or by contacting Membership and
Meetings Assistant Maggie Graham
at [email protected].
provide experience and perspective in
educating NBWA members about this
program.
Program coverage enhancements
include:
• Limited product recall coverage
• Employment practices liability
insurance
• Liquor liability
• Hired auto physical damage
Additional benefits include:
• Twelve equal installment payment plan option
• Enhanced distributor training
opportunities
• Industry-specific risk and loss
control services
• The ability for distributors to
work with their current agent
Compensation and Benefits
Study
The Compensation and Benefits
Study allows NBWA members to
easily compare their compensation
levels and benefits policies with similar distributors. The study, published
every other year, was conducted and
published in 2010 and is currently
available for purchase. The 2012
Compensation and Benefits study
will be conducted and available for
purchase later this year. Please be on
the lookout for participation information coming soon.
Energy Buyers Program
The Affiliated Power Purchasers International (APPI) Saving
Solutions Program continues to
assist beer distributors with identifying and implementing business
options that reduce energy and utility costs. To learn more, please contact
APPI at (800) 520-6685 or info@
appienergy.com.
Beer Distributors Go Solar to Keep
Beer Cold
S
everal beer distributorships have
seen exciting changes in the past
few months as they completed major
renovations that ushered in new green
features that will reduce costs while
protecting the environment.
Crescent Crown Distributing saw
the completion of a new solar roof after
6,840 panels were installed on top of its
240,000-square-foot building in Surprise, Arizona.
According to Neil Baier, the company’s vice president of finance, he had been
working the numbers for such a project
since the Surprise facility opened in 2009.
Baier said, “We have seen a growing number of our suppliers and fellow
distributors across the country making
significant investments in green technologies, and we felt it was important
to our standing as a leader in the industry and the community to make a similar investment.”
“Not only does the new solar system
make sound financial sense,” said James
Moffett, Jr., president of Crescent
Crown Distributing, “but more importantly it’s the right thing to do for the
future of our environment.”
The solar system – which was featured in the Arizona Republic, East Valley
Tribune and Arizona Business Magazine
– will offset over 107 million pounds of
carbon emissions over the next 25 years,
which is equivalent to taking more than
8,800 cars off the road.
The project is expected to save the
company $17 million over the next 25
years, with electric bills shooting down
by about 75 percent during the winter
months and 30 to 40 percent in the summer. Cooling is a major cost for the company, as beer must be stored at 72 degrees
with some craft varieties requiring 38
degrees.
Scottsdale-based Green Choice
Solar, an integrated solar developer,
provided Crescent Crown with designers and engineers to review the roof,
acquire permits and install the panels.
The resulting rooftop installation is the
second-largest in the state.
Martin Distributing Co. in Martinsburg, West Virginia, has also
joined the ranks of beer distributorships that have harnessed the power of
the sun.
The company recently completed a
new solar panel array – the largest in
the state – that will harness the sun’s
energy to power its warehouse. The new
solar array system, built by Mountain
View Solar in partnership with CoxHollidaPrice, also will power the city’s
first electric car recharging stations.
The 260 solar panels are projected to
produce about 72,000 kilowatt hours of
electricity each year, which is enough
power for the equivalent of five average-sized American homes.
J. Craig Martin, the president of
Martin Distributing Co., told The Journal of Martinsburg that he was
first sold on the idea of solar
energy after a fellow beer distributor in Cumberland, Maryland, made the switch to renewable energy last year.
Martin was so impressed
by the cost savings the project
would bring, he and his brother
ended up installing solar arrays
at their own homes. But Mar-
tin says he decided to move forward
with the project not only because of the
cost savings, but because of the positive effect the solar array will have on
the environment. He said his company,
founded in 1940 by his parents, has
always been environmentally conscious,
noting that at one point he donated a
truck that had been converted to run on
propane to the city to help its recycling
efforts.
Mims Distributing Company of
Raleigh, North Carolina, also recently
completed some major green renovations when it moved into a larger facility to accommodate growing business. The new warehouse is 140,000
square feet, which gives the company
an additional 50,000 square feet. It also
includes several sustainable features.
Mims Distributing has been located
in Raleigh, North Carolina, since 1964,
so it seemed natural for the distributorship to stay in the area. Mims purchased
a new facility which was previously
home to a pharmaceutical distribution
company. The company chose to renovate the building as opposed to constructing an entirely new facility, which
helped make the expansion as ecologically friendly as possible.
Working with Prime Building, HagerSmith PA, First Citizens Bank and
Baker Renewable Energy, the distributorship began to install new features
in the facility to ensure optimum quality control for all products. New features installed include energy-efficient,
high-performance insulation, cooling
and lighting systems and low water use
plumbing fixtures.
In addition to installing new hardware, Mims also selected the building for its ability to host a private solar
rooftop. Baker Renewable Energy of
Raleigh, North Carolina, helped to
install a rooftop solar panel system
which features a photovoltaic rooftop net metering system that allows
the distributorship to collect and use
solar power onsite, offsetting approximately 20 percent of the building’s
energy needs. The solar roof will generate enough hours of solar energy per
year to offset more than 32,000 gallons
of gasoline and 150 tons of coal. The
system is the largest of its kind in Wake
County, North Carolina.
“We are excited about the long-term
financial and green benefits of this rooftop system – it fits perfectly with what
we’re trying to accomplish in terms of
lowering operational costs and reducing
our environmental impact,” said CEO
of Mims Distributing Chip Mims. “It’s
great to be able to tell our brewers and
customers that we can deliver quality
products and services while still minimizing our carbon signature in so many
ways because of this expansion.”
Additional features at the new location include a hops field and a smart
water retention strategy that will minimize the company’s overall water
consumption.
Is Your Company Featured on NBWA’s
Distributor Responsibility Website?
D
oes your distributorship sponsor responsibility programs
– like safe rides home, programs
with law enforcement officials or
speakers about the consequences
of underage drinking? Or has your
distributorship launched an environmental initiative, such as the use
of alternative fuels or clean energy?
If so, NBWA wants to help you
highlight your efforts!
NBWA invites you to submit
details of your successful programs
at www.DistributorResponsibility.
com. Using a simple online form,
you can submit your initiatives
in seconds! Your stories will then
become part of the interactive website, which helps educate legislators, regulators, community leaders, media and the public about the
important role of beer distributors
in the United States.
When someone clicks on your
state on the website’s interactive map, make sure they see your
company as one of the faces of the
American beer distribution industry. Visit www.DistributorResponsibility.com today and start spreading the word about your company’s
initiatives!
Be the first distributor to add an
initiative from your state, or join
some of the distributors in your
state that are already featured on
the site!
Please contact Communications
Director Kathleen Joyce with any
questions at [email protected] or
(800) 300-6417.
Cheers to Beer
Distributors
Celebrating Business Anniversaries!
Buck Distributing Co. in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, was founded in 1946
by Irwin Buck, who started with just one beer truck. Buck Distributing now
Years
employs more than 100 people, all of whom are credited with creating a family atmosphere at the company. President Betty Buck works alongside two of her
children, with another slated to join the family business upon graduating from college. The distributorship is known for being great supporters of United Cerebral Palsy
(UCP), and the UCP center of Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties was named the
William Irwin Buck Center for the distributorship’s founder. To commemorate the anniversary, Buck Distributing hosted a dinner, dance and gambling night. Hardworking employees
received awards for accomplishments in attendance, sales and other categories.
66
60
Alford Distributing Co. in Imperial, California, was
founded in 1952 by Aaron and Irene Alford in El Centro,
California. In 2008, Alford Distributing relocated to its
current location and built a state of the art 51,800 squarefoot facility. Throughout the company’s expansion, the business
has remained in the family. Current President Cherie Alford-Eyer’s
children, Jeff Alford and Cherisse Alford, are third-generation family
business owners. The Alford’s credit their strong team of employees, along with the people and retailers in the community for their distributorship’s success. Team spirit is fostered by holiday parties, beer cooking contests and volunteering.
For their anniversary, an “Octoberfiesta” party will take place in the spirit of Oktoberfest, with all of Alford’s customers
and area elected officials invited to attend.
Years
Brown Distributing Co., Inc. in Austin, Texas, was started by J. Dan Brown in 1962
with three trucks, four employees and three brands of beer. Brown Distributing now
Years
carries more than 180 brands of beer and 85 brands of non-alcoholic beverages. The
distributorship takes great pride in relationships that they have built. “No matter how
big you get in this business, the personal touch and relationships are very important,” said
Vice President Laurie Brown Watson. “We treat the customer who buys two cases a week
as well as we treat the one who buys 200.” The distributorship donates close to a million dollars to
non-profit, civic and educational organizations each year, while sponsoring more than 500 charitable
events throughout Central Texas. For their anniversary, Brown Distributing held a private celebration and marketing expo.
The Budweiser Clydesdales were also on hand for photo opportunities.
50
Premier Distributing Co. in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was
founded in 1982 by John Hull Dobbs, Sr. Since then, Premier has built
Years
two new warehouses and expanded to other locations throughout the
state, allowing Premier to service a total of 28 counties. The growth has
expanded the distributor’s portfolio from five brands in 1982 to 64 in 2012. From the beginning, Premier Distributing made a commitment that it would be firmly grounded in the community. This is displayed by the Premierfounded educational charity New Mexico Alliance for Hispanic Education, which raises funds to provide college scholarships to thousands of New Mexico’s most deserving Hispanic students.
30
Will You Be the 2012
Craft Beer Distributor of
the Year?
T
he National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) and the Brewers Associa- Powers Distributing - 2011 Craft Beer
Distributor of the Year Award
tion (BA) will soon be seeking nominations for the Sixth Annual Craft Beer
Distributor of the Year Award. The award recognizes an American beer distributor
who actively markets, sells and promotes craft beer. The award will be presented
on October 13, 2012, at the Great American Beer Festival,
hosted by the BA, in Denver, Colorado.
America’s beer distributors and craft brewers can
nominate any distributor they believe is deserving of
the award. Stay tuned for the call for nominations,
entry rules and regulations, which will be posted
J. J. Taylor Distributing Florida, Inc. - 2011
on the NBWA website at www.nbwa.org.
Craft Beer Distributor Achievement Award
“The entrepreneurial spirit of craft brewers
continues to add energy and excitement to the
American beer industry,” said NBWA President
OF THE
Craig Purser. “Their continued growth demonstrates American consumers’ appreciation for craft
beer and excitement over the wide variety of flavors
beer has to offer. Beer distributors take great pride in
2012
serving as the vehicle to market for these brands and pro- Gretz Beer Company – 2011 Craft Beer
viding choice and variety to the consumer.”
Distributor Recognition Award
In addition to the Craft Beer Distributor of the Year Award, a Craft Beer
Achievement Award and Craft Beer Distributor Recognition Award will also be
presented.
Mark Your Calendars for American Craft Beer
Week: May 14 – 20!
S
tarted in 2006, American Craft Beer Week® is the
national celebration of America’s small and independent
craft brewers, their impact on the American beer industry and
craft beer culture. In 2012, the beer community will celebrate
American Craft Beer Week® from May 14 – 20.
Last year, celebrations for American Craft Beer Week®
took place in all 50 states. As vehicles to market for craft
beers, beer distributors are encouraged to take part in the celebration of craft beer and the role distributors play in helping
to provide choice and variety to consumers.
Consider partnering with your retail customers to plan a craft-beer centric
event such as a beer pairing dinner, a festival or a craft beer tasting. Then, promote your event by visiting the American Craft Beer Week® event page on
www.CraftBeer.com/ACBW and adding your event to the official calendar!
Scan the QR Code
below with your
smartphone to view
the 2012 Legislative
Conference schedule
right on your handheld
device!
Your Guide to Beer in Our Nation’s Capital
W
hile you’re in our nation’s capital
for the 2012 NBWA Legislative
Conference, make sure you take advantage of the great beer culture the city
has to offer. Check out some of these
great beer destinations:
Capitol Hill
Just steps away from the Hyatt
Regency Washington on Capitol Hill
are two Irish bars that are well known
to congressional staff, as well as veteran
Legislative Conference attendees. Celebrating 37 years of service to Capitol Hill, The Dubliner offers authentic
Irish
recipes in a
classic pub
setting. Sit
down to a
pint, including some of
the pub’s very own, and enjoy live music
seven nights a week (4 F Street NW, 20
2-737-3773). Right next door is Kelly’s Irish Times, which was a St. Patrick’s Day favorite of President Ronald
Reagan. It is most widely
known for the history
that hangs behind the
bar. From 1930s Dublin police patches to
autographed photos of
famous politicians, the artifacts behind
the bar are worth admiring while enjoying a pint at this quaint Irish pub (14 F
Street NW, 202-543-5433).
Chinatown/Penn Quarter
The area surrounding D.C.’s Verizon
Center is home to a wide array of new
and exciting restaurants and bars. The
Iron Horse Tap Room is a motorcycle themed bar that is one of the area’s
newer hot spots with nearly two dozen
taps featuring rotating craft beer offerings, including beers from local brewers
Chocolate City Beer, DC Brau and Port
City Brewing Co. What at first appears
to be a cozy little bar boasts a large
downstairs with skeeball, shuffleboard
and other games (507 7th St. NW, 202347-7665). Just a couple blocks north on
7th Street is Regional Food and Drink,
affectionately known as RFD. Washington
City Paper has dubbed RFD’s beer menu
the “Best Draft Beer Selection” in the
city. The bar offers more than 30 beers
on tap, including a
cask-conditioned
ale and constantly
rotating
selection of rare beers
and
specialty
handcrafts. This extensive list is further
expanded by RFD’s 300-plus inventory
of bottled beers from around the world.
The kitchen also puts out a diverse, beercentric menu. With multiple televisions
behind the bar, this is also a great spot
to catch a game (810 7th Street NW,
202-289-2030).
Logan Circle
Since opening in fall 2009, Churchkey has earned a reputation as the
hottest beer bar in D.C. Churchkey features a carefully selected menu
of more than 555 labels culled from
more than 30 countries – including 50
draught beers and
five authentic caskconditioned
ales
in fluid rotation –
that can be paired
with upscale bar
fare. The staff share
beer director Greg
Engert’s passion for
beer and act as reliable guides for those
looking to explore
new beers. Churchkey’s downstairs sister restaurant Birch & Barley, which
has been recognized by publications
such as The New York Times and Food &
Wine Magazine, offers the same great
beer list with even higher-end food
options. Chef Kyle Bailey and Pastry
Connect with NBWA on Social Media
Chef Tiffany MacIsaac deliver deceptively simple, market-driven dishes that
draw flavor inspiration from the beers
of Birch & Barley. Reservations recommended for Birch & Barley (1337 14th
Street NW, 202-567-2576).
Midtown/Dupont Circle
If you love pizza as much as great
beer, then Pizzeria Paradiso in the
trendy Dupont Circle neighborhood is
the place for you. Just steps from the
Circle, this D.C. favorite prides itself
on Neopolitan style
pizza to pair with 180
bottles, 12 taps and one
cask (2003 P Street
NW, 202-223-1245).
There is also a location offering the same
great variety of beer in
Georgetown (3282 M Street NW, 202337-1245). Just south of Dupont Circle
is one of D.C.’s oldest beer bars, The
Big Hunt, which features an explorer
themed décor. The bar has three floors,
four bars and 27 beers on tap, which
include mostly domestic craft beers
from a variety of styles (1345 Connecticut Avenue NW, 202-785-2333). Last,
but certainly not least, is a necessary
stop on any D.C. beer tour – the Bier
Baron. This beer institution formerly
known as the Brickskeller reopened
under new ownership in the final days
of 2010. The vast choice that made the
Brickskeller famous is still available,
with 500 choices of beer from around
the world. Unlike
the old menu,
however, the Bier
Baron lists its
selection of beer
by flavor profiles
rather than country in an effort to
make its long beer
list more approachable for everyone,
not just beer connoisseurs (1523 22nd
Street NW, 202-293-1885).
H
ave you visited NBWA’s Mr. Beer Guy pages on Facebook and
Twitter? Get to know the social side of NBWA by connecting
with your Association through the use of social media! The same Mr.
Beer Guy of Mr. Beer Guy video fame is posting informative updates
online. This persona – which exemplifies the 98,000 hardworking men
and women of the beer distribution industry who safely and efficiently
deliver beer to Americans of legal drinking age every day – is giving upto-the minute updates on the latest happenings that impact the beer
distribution industry via Facebook and Twitter.
Visit www.facebook.com/Mr.BeerGuy to become a fan of Mr. Beer
Guy on Facebook and check out photo albums, video, news links and
more. Once you “like” the Mr. Beer Guy page, updates from NBWA will
filter in through your live news feed whenever you visit Facebook! To
follow NBWA’s updates on Twitter, make sure to sign up to follow “MrBeerGuy”
by visiting www.twitter.com/MrBeerGuy. You’ll get updates from NBWA in 140
characters or less and get the chance to follow other people in the beer industry,
beer publications and more! And don’t forget to use the official Legislative Conference hashtag – #NBWADC12 – to participate in the conversation and get live
updates on all the action here in Washington, D.C., during the Conference.
Subscribe to NBWA’s Daily Brew
and the Beer Route!
N
BWA’s Daily Brew is the beer distribution industry’s
most comprehensive resource for the news of the day
on topics most important to beer distribution
businesses – the beer
industry; legislation and
politics; the economy;
the latest news from
Washington;
studies;
trends; beer distributor
profiles and more. With the Daily Brew, you can count on
the most relevant news arriving in your inbox every weekday!
You’ll also get feature stories from NBWA through the
Beer Route section of the Daily Brew. Beer Route feature stories included in the Daily Brew showcase beer distributors’
contributions to their communities, up-to-date editorial comment on top-of-mind beer industry issues and NBWA activities and programs. Through the Associate Member Viewpoints Program, associate members are encouraged to submit
informative and educational articles to help beer distributors
grow their business.
Receive both of these informative resources in your inbox
by visiting www.nbwa.org to subscribe.
Help NBWA
Celebrate Its 75th Year!
Celebrating
75 Years
Y
ou can be part of
NBWA’s 75th anniversary! NBWA will be
kicking off its 75th year as an association at the 75th Annual Convention in San Diego,
California, October 14 – 17, 2012. Be part of the celebration by sharing photos and stories from your company’s history! Please send photos, stories of your company’s history and memories of NBWA to 75years@
nbwa.org. NBWA will use these memories to create
special tributes throughout the year.
You can also be part of a special 75th Anniversary
video by stopping in to film a few words about NBWA,
your company or the beer distribution industry during
the Legislative Conference. Stop by the Columbia C
room on the Hyatt’s lower level on Monday, March 26
from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Don’t miss the opportunity for your company to be included in this important
milestone!
Save the Date!
October 14 – 17, 2012
NBWA is excited to host its 75th Annual Convention at the
Manchester Grand Hyatt in beautiful San Diego, California,
where it’s
75
AND
SUNNY
all the time!
Look for details at www.nbwa.org.