Pabst Brewing Company has announced an expanded partnership with C&C Group plc to promote Pabst brands in the UK and Ireland.
Under the terms of the agreement, C&C will become the exclusive distributor of several Pabst brands. In addition to Pabst Blue Ribbon, C&C's exclusive distribution rights will include Lone Star, Schlitz, Old Milwaukee and Ballantine IPA. Pabst is the exclusive importer of C&C's cider brands in the United States and markets and sells Woodchuck Hard Cider and other brands produced by Vermont Hard Cider Company, a C&C subsidiary.
"We pride ourselves on our ability to partner with other industry players - our partnerships with Small Town Brewery, Tsingtao Brewery, and Vermont Hard Cider Company are clear examples of how engrained these relationships are in our DNA," said Eugene Kashper, Chairman and CEO of Pabst Brewing Company. "This agreement with C&C is yet another example of a mutually beneficial partnership between Pabst and a successful independent brewer and marks the start of a more concerted effort to promote Pabst's brands in international markets. There is high demand for our iconic American brands throughout the world - we expect Pabst Blue Ribbon and our other brands to become more widely available to beer drinkers everywhere over the next several years."
C&C is expected to start selling PBR in the UK and Ireland in June 2016. Pabst Blue Ribbon is currently sold in 20 countries including China and Sweden - where it has become one of the most popular international lagers on the market.
