Starr Hill Brewery is going big time with the help of some folks in St. Louis. The Charlottesville beermakers announced a distribution deal with Anheuser-Busch, the maker of Budweiser, which means six-packs of Starr Hill will be appearing in coolers nationwide in the next five to 10 years.
The deal’s financial details aren’t yet available, but C-VILLE’s Restaurantarama spoke with Starr Hill Brewmaster Mark Thompson soon after it was announced. Thompson told Restaurantarama that Anheuser-Busch acquired a minority stake in Starr Hill as part of the deal, though Starr Hill will maintain control. All operations, Thompson said, will remain in Crozet.
Thompson said he plans to hire more staff in Crozet in the spring, as production begins to ramp up. The expansion will have three phases. In 2008, distribution will expand statewide in Virginia. In three to five years, the mid-Atlantic will start seeing Starr Hill. And in five to 10 years, the brew will be nationwide.
Which leads us to this advice: If you haven’t already dropped the Starr Hill name to out-of-town friends, cementing your status as a beer snob, get on it. Your time is running out.
Previous "This Just In" articles from this week:
One vote for solid waste [December 18]
Four other potential voters abstained
An executioner’s song [December 18]
New Jersey abolishes death penalty