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It's been a long time coming, but the arrival of Fat Tire amber ale is finally a sure thing for Pennsylvania. Colorado-based craft beer giant New Belgium Brewing Co. announced it has signed on with twelve distributors throughout the state for a roll-out of its line planned to begin on August 31, 2015.
A long-time West Coast staple that's grown into one of the top-selling craft labels in the country, Fat Tire has only become available regionally in the past few years, hitting the D.C. market in 2011 and Delaware in 2013. Later this year, New Belgium plans to open its second brewery in Asheville, NC — a choice that hit local nerves when it was made in 2012, as the brewery had reportedly been considering Philly for the expansion.
In addition to Fat Tire, New Belgium produces nine other year-round ales including popular Sunshine Wheat, as well as some limited-run special brews and collaborations. The brewery made news just this week by teaming up with Ben & Jerry's to create a Salted Caramel Brownie Brown Ale, which may or may not hold the power to corrupt America's youth.
In addition to distributors based in and around western PA, Allentown, Scranton, York, and Harrisburg, deals have been struck nearby with Philly's Penn Distributors and Norristown's Gretz Beer Co.
