StableCraft Brewing in Augusta County has entered into an agreement with Blue Ridge Beverage Co. to distribute StableCraft beers to restaurants in Virginia.
Blue Ridge Beverage, headquartered in Salem, distributes beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages throughout a 49-county, 17-city region from five operating divisions with facilities located in Salem, Waynesboro, Lynchburg, South Boston and Abingdon, servicing more than 4,000 retail customers, including supermarkets, convenience stores and restaurants.
“This relationship with Blue Ridge Beverage Co. is an important step in the growth of StableCraft Brewing,” said Craig Nargi, the owner of StableCraft Brewing, which produces 16 different craft beers on location, using hops grown at the farm site.
The primary distribution focus at the outset will be in a region stretching from Lexington to the south through Staunton and Waynesboro to Harrisonburg in the north, and east over the Blue Ridge into Charlottesville.
“Blue Ridge Beverage is super excited to be partnering with Stable Craft Brewing,” said Tom Parker, general manager for the Blue Ridge Beverage Waynesboro regional office. “Craig and his team out there have built, and are continuing to expand on a truly unique dynamic in brewing great beer in a beautiful area of the Shenandoah Valley. The concept of farm fresh beer with locally grown ingredients on site offers consumers an enjoyable drinking experience.”
The distribution agreement will help StableCraft Brewing build upon its foothold in the growing craft beer industry in Virginia. The Virginia craft beer industry surpassed $1 billion in gross sales in 2015, with more than 8,900 jobs created in the craft beer sector.
The growth of StableCraft is giving Augusta County its first foothold in the craft beer world.
“We are excited about the momentum of StableCraft Brewing,” said Amanda Glover, the director of economic development in Augusta County. “Since the brewery’s opening in May, the enthusiasm for Augusta County’s first farm brewery continues to grow. Widespread acclaim for the on-farm experience combined with great beer translates into a bright future for StableCraft.”
StableCraft Brewing opened in April with projections that it would employ 10 to 12, but has already grown to an employee base of 23. And more growth is coming, with plans for expansion of the production facility to accommodate an on-site bottling operation expected to launch in the spring of 2017.
The momentum at StableCraft is gaining notice in Richmond.
“I am excited to see the success of Stable Craft Brewing as demonstrated by its jump in growth in employment and announcement to build an additional structure to house a bottling line and provide additional work space,” said State Del. Steve Landes, R-Weyer Cave, the chair of the Appropriations Committee in the Virginia House of Delegates.
“Small business is the backbone of our economy, and small businesses like Stable Craft Brewing are the lifeblood of Virginia’s economic development and growing agritourism industry. Let me commend Craig Nargi and the staff at Stable Craft Brewing on their success; they are a welcome addition to the craft brewing community here in the Commonwealth,” Landes said.
More information on StableCraft Brewing is online at stablecraftbrewing.com.
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Chris Graham
