Virginia Beer Wholesalers Association

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Virginia Beer Wholesalers Association

The VBWA is the trade association for Virginia's independent, family-owned and operated beer distrib

On March 27, 1937, a group of nine businessmen organized the first association of beer wholesalers in Virginia, named the Virginia Malt Beverage Association. The organization continued as the Virginia Malt Beverage Association until September 26, 1970, when the membership voted to change the name to Virginia Beer Wholesalers Association. Today, the Virginia Beer Wholesalers Association is comprise

d of member firms engaged in the wholesale distribution of malt beverages and related products. The Association offers a wide range of member services and programs that help beer wholesalers thrive in today’s competitive environment. VBWA members are the second element of the three-tier system of alcoholic beverage distribution (manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer). They bring domestic, craft and imported malt beverage products to your local restaurant, bar, convenience store and grocery outlet. Many of our members also distribute water products, juice drinks, sports drinks, soft drinks and other beverages. When you see the truck of your local beer distributor at your grocery store, you can bet that distributor is a member of the VBWA!

07/14/2025

Variety is the spice of life—and the soul of every great beer flight! Whether you're tasting crisp lagers, hoppy IPAs, or rich stouts, each pour packs a punch of craft and character. Virginia’s beer distributors are proud to deliver the full lineup—one little glass at a time. Cheers to big flavor in small sips!

07/12/2025

It’s spicy, zesty, and always refreshing—Happy National Michelada Day! 🍅🌶🍺 Today we’re celebrating this bold beer cocktail that brings the heat and cools you down all at once. From backyard cookouts to brunch with friends, the michelada is a flavorful reminder of how versatile (and delicious) beer can be. Virginia’s independent beer distributors are proud to help bring great beer—and great flavor—to every glass.

07/10/2025

Check our recent VBWA news here! bit.ly/4eJiRui

07/09/2025

Viva Las Vegas! The NBWA’s 88th Annual Convention & Trade Show is headed to Las Vegas, October 12–15 — and VBWA staff will be there! We’re looking forward to connecting with industry leaders, exploring the latest in beverage distribution, and representing Virginia’s independent beer distributors. Planning to attend? Let us know—we’d love to see you there!

Register here: bit.ly/3G9J1tf.

07/07/2025

Today, we raise a cold one to the legendary local spots that never go out of style — it’s National Dive Bar Day! 🍻 From neon signs and jukeboxes to friendly bartenders who know your name, dive bars are where stories are shared, memories are made, and Virginia’s independent beer distributors keep the shelves stocked. Here’s to the heart of every hometown. Support your neighborhood dive bar and enjoy a cold Virginia beer today!

07/04/2025

🎇 When the patio has a view of the fireworks … and the beer on the table is proudly delivered by Virginia’s beer distributors, you know summer’s hitting its stride. Sip local. Celebrate responsibly. And soak up every spark of the season. Cheers to the 4th!

07/03/2025

🚗💨🍺 It’s National Independent Beer Run Day—the perfect excuse (not that you needed one) to stock up on your favorite cold Virginia beer! Today, we raise a toast to the small businesses, local retailers, and independent distributors who keep your fridge full and your summer gatherings going strong. When you make a beer run, you're not just picking up a six-pack—you’re supporting jobs, communities, and hometown pride. Make your run count—choose independent, choose local, and ! July 3: National Independent Beer Run Day!

07/02/2025

Northern Trust is our Associate Member of the Month!

Northern Trust is a global financial institution providing a full array of commercial banking and wealth management services to private businesses, families, and individuals. We have a practice solely focused on serving beer distributor clients. This means bringing creative loan and wealth management solutions, strong credit appetite, strategic advice, and our best-in-class client service standards to the middle tier. We have extensive experience helping beer distributors and the families who own them through the following situations: company acquisitions and mergers, brand acquisitions, warehouse construction and expansion, ownership buyouts, and large owner distributions. Visit us @ www.northerntrust.com/nbwa.

07/01/2025

New Laws Alert: Virginia, July 1, 2025 🚨 Big changes are coming to the Commonwealth! Stay informed, stay safe, and ensure you’re up to speed on the latest changes in Virginia law.

Starting July 1, several new laws passed by the Virginia General Assembly will take effect, which will impact Virginia’s beer distributors:

HB1703 (Bulova) /SB834 (Favola) - Alcoholic beverage control; tied house exceptions. A VBWA-championed bill clarified that no manufacturer, bottler, importer, broker, or wholesaler shall make an agreement, or attempt to make an agreement, with a retail licensee to exclude competitor products from being carried at the retailer. This was necessary because a legal opinion questioned the prior law after decades of general understanding in the alcohol community. No substantive law was changed.

HB2033 (Simonds) - Alcoholic beverage control retail licensees and employees; training on human trafficking. Alcohol retailers will now be required to offer human trafficking prevention training to their employees.

HB2058 (Krizek) /SB811(Rouse) - Alcoholic beverage control; delivery of mixed beverages. The sunset on off-premise sales for on-premise licensees and consumption of alcoholic beverages was removed and made permanent after several years of review to ensure that ID checks were being made at the proper level.

SB868 (Reeves) - Mixed bev. licensees; prohibition on delivery to the consumer of the original bottle of alcoholic beverage. Mixed beverage licensees may deliver an original bottle containing spirits if it is no more than 16 ounces and no higher than 15% ABV. This amends 3VAC5-50-60 as previously discussed.

06/30/2025

Move over, summer flings—our hearts (and hands) are taken by an ice-cold beer. 🍺❤️ Whether it’s lakeside, poolside, or just porch sitting, nothing says true love like that first refreshing sip on a hot Virginia day. Here’s to golden pours, unforgettable moments, and a love that never warms up. Cheers!

06/26/2025

Enjoy the last of our pictures from our Homestead convention!

We are already looking forward to next year. Save-the-Date!

June 14-16, 2026 at the Omni Hilton Head Resort in South Carolina! 🍻🍷

06/24/2025

Enjoy more pics from our Homestead convention! Cheers to the middle tier!

Address

Richmond, VA

Website

http://vbwa.org/

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