(Press Release)

CLIFTON PARK, NY—Shmaltz Brewing Company is thrilled to announce the partnership with a new distributor, Johnson Brothers of Iowa, Inc., as they enter the Iowa market for the first time. The latest addition to Shmaltz’s new team of distributors across the country, Johnson Brothers enhances the regional retail presence and draft availability of the award-winning craft beer line: He’brew — The Chosen Beer®. Shmaltz’s distribution growth comes on the heels of the grand opening of a new 20,000 square feet brewing facility in Clifton Park, NY. Projected annual sales for 2014 are estimated at nearly $4 million, and Shmaltz increases its staff to 20 employees.

“We are really excited to bring Shmaltz Brewing Company and He’brew® beers to Iowa,” says Lyle Stutzman,President Johnson Brothers of Iowa. “Having the ‘Best Craft Brewer in America’ in our portfolio is an honor.”

Jeff Bruning, owner of El Bait Shop in Des Moines, notes “Bittersweet Lenny’s R.I.P.A.® is one of my favorite beers. I loved their originality so much I got a copy of Shmaltz proprietor Jeremy Cowan’s small business memoir,Craft Beer Bar Mitzvah.”

Please see the detailed information below for the forthcoming Iowa launch events:

Wednesday, January 15th
He’brew Beer Tasting
4:30-6:30pm
Whole Foods
, 4100 University Ave, West Des Moines, IA 50266

Shmaltz National Sales Manager, Zak Davis, will be on hand to pour samples of all currently-available Shmaltz beers: Genesis Dry Hopped Session Ale®, Messiah Nut Brown Ale®, Hop Manna IPA®, Death of a Contract Brewer Black IPA®, Bittersweet Lenny’s R.I.P.A.®, and R.I.P.A. on RYE® – aged on Willet Rye Whiskey barrels. This is the first He’brew tasting in Des Moines, and a great opportunity to try the whole family!

He’brew Beer Tasting
4:30-6:30pm
John’s Grocery,
 401 E Market St, Iowa City, IA 52245

Shmaltz Regional Manager, Tom Prusila, will be sampling through Shmaltz’s entire available lineup: Genesis Dry Hopped Session Ale®, Messiah Nut Brown Ale®, Hop Manna IPA®, Death of a Contract Brewer Black IPA®, Bittersweet Lenny’s R.I.P.A.®, and R.I.P.A. on RYE® – aged on Willet Rye Whiskey barrels.

Thursday, January 16th
Official Shmaltz Brewing Kickoff
5:00-8:00pm
El Bait Shop, 
200 SW 2nd St, Des Moines, IA 50309

Celebrate our first foray into the Iowa craft beer market with a truly spectacular (and award-winning) collection of He’brew® beers: Hop Manna IPA® – dry hopped with Cascade, Centennial, and Citra hops; Death of a Contract Brewer Black IPA® – Shmaltz’s newest year-round offering and an homage to their new brewery in Clifton Park, NY; Bittersweet Lenny’s R.I.P.A.® – a rye-based double IPA brewed with an obscene amount of malts and hops; Jewbelation REBORN® – brewed with 17 robust malts, 17 unique hops, and weighing in at 17% abv.; Funky Jewbelation 2013® – a blend of 6 ales and lagers aged in bourbon and rye whiskey barrels; and R.I.P.A. on RYE 2013® – aged on Willet Rye Whiskey barrels. If this doesn’t make you shout “L’Chaim!!,” nothing will.

For a full list of Shmaltz’s distributors, please visit: www.shmaltzbrewing.com/HEBREW/distributors.html