Crimson Badger Brewing joins Federal Merchants & Co.
Queenstown-based Crimson Badger Brewing is now distributed across New Zealand by Federal Merchants & Co.
The agreement, which took effect on 1 August, sees Federal Merchants & Co. distribute Crimson Badger’s original Ginger Bear and Dark & Grizzly exclusively into the on- and off-premise channels.
Crimson Badger had its origins in 2017, when friends Wes and Sam embarked on what they initially viewed as a hobby. Their passion project evolved into a thriving business and now employs a team of five. Being an organic business (re-investing all capital as the company grew) they started by contracting to Christchurch, eventually scaling their operations and brewing and packaging everything from Queenstown in 2019. They also launched The Loose Moose canning company to help fund the capital investment by contracting canning to local breweries.
Crimson Badger’s 4% Ginger Bear has garnered a devoted following in the deep south and can be found in cans and on tap at bars around Queenstown, Wanaka, and beyond.
Federal Merchants & Co.’s Michael Morton said: “We love what Wes and the team have done so far with Crimson Badger Brewing. This new partnership for our businesses is super exciting and we can’t wait to help them achieve their next phase of growth as we introduce every Kiwi to what those in the deep south already know about their great products, led of course by iconic Ginger Bear.”
Crimson Badger founder Wesley McAllister said that he and and team are excited to join Federal Merchants & Co and expand their reach. “This partnership will help our business improve and open the door to create new products, knowing that we now have the capability to supply nationwide. It’s an exciting new chapter and I am thankful for everyone that has supported us along the way. We are eagerly looking forward to what lies ahead.”
