
Fort Collins, Colorado-based brewing company, New Belgium, famed for its Fat Tire beer brand, hosted Connecticut distributor teams who are launching the product in the Nutmeg State: Northeast Beverage Corp. of CT (NEBCT), Rogo Distributors and Levine Distributing. Each team spent a comprehensive day with brewery representatives training on New Belgium’s history, the beers and the brand. The teams also enjoyed a bicycle ride into Fort Collins for lunch, following the inspiration of the Fat Tire Amber Ale. That flagship brew, reflected now in the company’s logo, originates from a co-founder’s bicycle trip through Belgium from brewery to brewery.
Other beers to hit the CT market last month include Ranger IPA, an India pale ale (IPA); Citradelic, an India Pale Ale with Tangerine; Rampant Imperial IPA, an American double/imperial; Heavy Melon, a Watermelon Lime Ale (summer seasonal) and two gluten-free beers, Glutiny Pale Ale and Glutiny Golden Ale. Other offerings from the brewery that will hit the market sometime later this year include Shift Pale Lager, an American pale lager; Sunshine Wheat, an American-style wheat ale; 1554 Black Lager, a Belgian dark beer; Blue Paddle Pilsner, a Czech-style pilsner; Abbey Belgian Ale, an abbey dubbel beer; Trippel Belgian Style Ale, a Belgian-style tripel; and various seasonal and limited-edition beers.
- All with Northeast Beverage Corp. of CT (NEBCT) except where indicated. Front row: Tom Walsh, Vice President; Alaina Fillback, Sales Rep.; Rebecca Gomes, Sales Rep.; Natasha Witik, Sales Rep.; Miranda Porrello, Sales Rep.; Greg Zannella, General Sales Manager; Juan Rosa, Field Marketing & Sales Manager; Back row: Ariel Novo, Sales Rep.; Jason Tournas, Sales Rep.; Greg Holmes, Regional Director New Belgium; Miguel Rojas, Sales Rep.; Paul Lipinski, Sales Rep.; Mike Belden, Sales Rep.; Tom Korniluk, New Belgium Brand Manager; Dan Murdock, Craft Beer Specialist; Brian Dalke, Sales Supervisor; Ross Carley, Sales Rep.; Matt Bronson, New Belgium Market Manager CT/RI; Mike Ward, Craft Beer Manager.
- Northeast Beverage Corp. of CT team members during a New Belgium brand education training.
- Greg Zannella, General Sales Manager with the “Beer School” welcome sign during the brewery tour.
- Northeast Beverage Corp. of CT team members during their brewery tour.
- Northeast Beverage Corp. of CT members on New Belgium-provided bikes in Fort Collins, Colorado along the Poudre River path leading into downtown.
- All with Rogo Distributors, Inc. Back row, standing: John Meyer, Sales Rep.; Casey MacDonald, Sales Rep.; Greg McGinn, Sales Rep.; Chad MacDonald, Sales Rep.; Jim Simione, Draft Beer Manager; Clem Sayers, General Manager; Cory Maher, Sales Rep.; Ryan Fitzgerald, Sales Rep.; Eric Lemiuex, Field Sales Manager; Scott LaBelle, Craft Beer Director; Bill Hannon, Field Sales Manager; Kevin Byrnes, Sales Manager. Sitting: Liz Toolan, On-Premise Specialist; Tony DeFrancesco, Sales Rep.; Steve Hayes, Sales Rep.; Mike Hussey, Merchandiser; Nick Pilatti, Sales Rep.; Neal Dareis, Sales Rep.
- Rogo team members during their brewery tour.
- The Rogo Distributors’ team spent the day immersed in brand education.
- Rogo’s General Manager Clem Sayers rides into downtown Fort Collins on a New Belgium-provided bike.
- A glass of New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale from the outdoor patio tasting venue.