Cigar City Adds Chicago Distribution

Cigar City Brewing out of Tampa, Florida has announced plans to expand its distribution footprint northward and sell its beer in the Chicago metro area.

CCB has partnered with Windy City Distributing to sell kegs and 12-oz. cans of its popular brews, including Jai Alai IPA, Invasion Pale Ale and Florida Cracker Wheat.

Here is the full release from Cigar City:

TAMPA, FL - Cigar City Brewing Company Introduces Chicago Distribution in 2018

Cigar City Brewing continues to expand the distribution footprint for its world-class beers with the addition of the Chicago metro area to the Tampa-based brewery’s distribution network. CCB has partnered with Windy City Distributing to distribute its portfolio of unique ales and lagers, including the award-winning Jai Alai IPA. Kegs and twelve ounce cans of Jai Alai IPA, Invasion Tropical Pale Ale and their newest year-round offering Guayabera Citra Pale Ale will be available throughout Chicagoland beginning on February 19th. 

Looking to build on the strong relationship between Windy City Distributing and their CANarchy portfolio-mates Oskar Blues Brewery and Perrin Brewing, Cigar City Brewing enters the Chicagoland market poised for strong and sustained growth following their launch. One of the fastest growing brands in the country, CCB boasts the best selling craft six-pack can through national IRI reporting in Jai Alai IPA with other year-round and seasonal offerings complementing. National and international awards and accolades have garnered attention for the brewery since their inception in 2009.

“Chicagoans know their beer and we’re confident that we can make a splash in the area with our unique, Florida-inspired offerings,” says CCB’s El Lector Neil Callaghan. “Windy City Distributing’s team knows the market better than anyone and their world-class operation will allow us to grow in an organic, viable way. Plus, we get to go out for deep-dish pizza with the Windy City team!”

Windy City Distributing President Bob Collins says, “Windy City Distributing has had a tremendous relationship with Oskar Blues Brewing for the past 6 years. We are thrilled to be taking this next step with our supplier partner by bringing Cigar City Brewing and their award winning beers to Chicagoland. We’ve been courting the Cigar City Brewing team since 2013 because the Chicagoland consumers have been clamoring for the beer. Well, the wait is over and we are so very proud to be representing this incredible brewery.”

Market launch events will be taking place throughout Chicago in March with numerous Cigar City Brewing representatives travelling from Tampa to celebrate with Chicagoans. These events will feature additional Cigar City Brewing beers and will be incredible opportunities for Chicago’s craft beer fans to learn about Cigar City Brewing’s history and its award winning beer from the people who know it best.

Cigar City Brewing’s beer, including award-winning Jai Alai IPA, will be available in fourteen states encompassing Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Colorado, Utah, Texas and Illinois starting in mid-February.  Cigar City Brewing’s ales and lagers are also exported to Denmark.