Press Release:

(Bend, OR) – Recently named the “World’s Best Beer” at the World Beer Awards, Deschutes Brewery’s Red Chair Northwest Pale Ale is just one of the beers that Wirtz Beverage will be bringing to craft beer fans in the state of Illinois early next year. Deschutes Brewery has partnered with the state’s leading distributor, which has more than 1,000 employees statewide, and will be the first beer brand for the company’s new craft beer team.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Deschutes as we launch into the craft beer market in Illinois,” explained Julian Burzynski, Wirtz Beverage Illinois Senior Vice President. “The growth and innovation of the Deschutes brands is a perfect match to our progressive approach to the business.”

Along with Red Chair NWPA, Deschutes Brewery will initially be releasing: Mirror Pond Pale Ale; Chainbreaker White IPA; and Black Butte Porter, the nation’s number one selling craft porter. The beers will all be available in six-packs and draft starting in January 2013.

“Partnering with Wirtz Beverage made great sense for us, as the company’s experience and relationships in the industry are unmatched in the marketplace,” said Andy Tysler, national sales director for Deschutes Brewery. “We are looking forward to bringing our beers to the third largest city in the nation, and filling the increasing demand for craft beer in the region.”

Wirtz Beverage uses technology, business intelligence, education and training, plus great people, to differentiate itself in the market. The company recently opened a new 600,000 square foot, state-of-the-art warehouse, training and distribution facility just outside Chicago. The company has a long history of success with beer distribution and brand building in both Minnesota and Nevada.

Deschutes Brewery recently added five new 1,300 barrel fermentation tanks to increase capacity at its Oregon brewing headquarters, and plans to add five more tanks in 2013. When all the new tanks are online, the brewery will have the capacity to brew more than 460,000 bbl annually to fill demand in its expanding distribution footprint.

About Deschutes Brewery

Founded in 1988 as a brew pub in downtown Bend, Oregon, Deschutes Brewery is known for such brands as Black Butte Porter, its flagship brew and the nation’s number one selling craft porter, and the popular Mirror Pond Pale Ale. In addition to its original Bend pub, the brewery opened a second pub in Portland’s Pearl District in 2008. The company’s main brewing facility is located in Bend’s Old Mill District and produces approximately 250,000 barrels of beer annually for distribution in 19 states and two provinces. To find out more, visit www.DeschutesBrewery.com.

About Wirtz Beverage Illinois

Wirtz Beverage Illinois is the state’s most established alcohol beverage distributor with operations statewide serving premium wine, spirits and craft beer brands. The company is an affiliate of Wirtz Beverage Group, one of the nation’s leading alcohol beverage distributors. With nearly $2 billion in annual sales and 3,000 employees, Wirtz Beverage Group has operations in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nevada and Wisconsin.