By Megan Bildner
Review Intern
Powers Distributing Company’s efforts to promote Michigan craft beer products earned them an honor recently when they were named 2011 Craft Beer Distributor of the Year.
The award, in its fifth year, recognizes a beer distributor nationwide that does the most to market, promote and sell craft beer. It was presented by The National Beer Wholesalers Association and Brewers Association to Powers, located in Orion Township, at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver.
‘Powers is proud to promote Michigan at every opportunity, and we are especially excited about promoting Michigan’s many outstanding craft beers,? said President Rob Powers. ‘Michigan beers are setting the standard and winning new fans every day. We are happy to partner with Michigan’s craft brewers and help them get their terrific products to a wider and growing market so more adult consumers will ‘Drink Michigan.? ?
Innovative in its efforts to promote and educate the public about craft beers, Powers has constructed a ‘beer finder? on their website, which teaches their consumers about the many types, flavors and styles of beer available. While more than 1,500 craft breweries produce nearly 13,000 labels of beer nationwide, Michigan is home to around 80 craft breweries and brew pubs, ranking it fifth in the nation.
Powers is a third-generation, family owned beer distributor. It operates one of the largest private biofuel-electric hybrid fleets in the nation to distribute Michigan’s craft beers to retailers, restaurants, taverns and other businesses in densely populated and growing Oakland and Macomb counties.
In addition for being recognized as Beer Distributor of the year, Powers also won Beverage World Fleet of the Year 2010 and the Miller President’s Award in 2009.