Atwater Beer Inks Distribution Deal To Expand Reach In Michigan

A popular Detroit-based brand is hoping to make some big moves with an expansion of distribution in Michigan.

Atwater Brewery signed distribution agreements with the M1 Network, a group of ten established MillerCoors distributors with reach across Michigan.

“To be the leading Michigan distributor requires us to represent great brands,” said Kit Wanty-Lambert, M1 Network president.  “Atwater is Detroit’s largest and fastest growing brewery and offers iconic brands like Dirty Blonde, Vanilla Java Porter, Decadent Dark Chocolate Ale to name just a few. M1 has the manpower, infrastructure and relationships to help Atwater reach the next level.”

Mark Rieth, the owner of Atwater, expects a close to 30 percent sales increase in the state. Atwater already distributes to 21 U.S. states and Canada.

M1 Network services approximately 17,000 Michigan accounts.

Members of the group include: O&W, Inc., Ypsilanti; Power’s Distributing, Lake Orion; Eastown Distributing, Highland Park; Dan Henry Distributing, Lansing; HIS Distributing, Kalamazoo; Alliance Beverage, Grand Rapids; J P O’Sullivan, Flint; Gerry’s Distributing, Port Huron; and Alpena Beverage in Alpena.

There are three physical Atwater locations. One in Detroit, Grosse Pointe and Grand Rapids.