The Hemp Beverage Distributors of New York (and beyond!)
In a world where many distributors hesitate to embrace hemp-infused beverages, one independent company has chosen to be a leader in the industry.
"We know the hemp beverage landscape," said Joe Grabowski, co-founder of Sarene Craft Beer Distributors. "We operate in five states so we know the laws, state by state, and are able to guide new brands as they enter multiple markets. This gives us a competitive edge when we talk to brands, and helps ensure success for our brand partners."
Sarene is more than just a distributor. Part brand builder and part guidance counselor, the team is proud of their ability to support and counsel brands as they navigate the often tricky regulatory landscape.
Sarene cut its teeth in the craft beer market, starting with a few trucks and an attitude that knowledge and agility can be powerful competitive advantages.
“I think one of the reasons we are a leader in this space is that these hemp beverages are extremely akin to the craft beer products we already sell. Our sales team isn't foreign to new or different products. They haven't been selling “RED case, BLUE case” for 20 years and are able to convey some of those finer details to the buyer."
“From a velocity standpoint, hemp beverages are simply amazing. They're flying off the shelves in ways that no one has seen before with any other beverage.” Joe Grabowski (far left)
Based in New York, Sarene Craft Beer is a family-owned company founded in 2014 by two brothers, one cousin and a buddy from college.
"I'm the buddy of the team," Grabowski laughs. "But after marrying my wife (the sister of fellow co-founder Matt Schulman’s wife), we're now all very much a family company in every way."
Sarene Craft Beer now employs over 100 people in five states, servicing more than 6,800 accounts with a fleet of 30 trucks . Now, every day those trucks are being filled with more and more hemp beverages.
"From a velocity standpoint, hemp beverages are simply amazing," said Grabowski. "They're flying off the shelves in ways that no one has seen before with any other beverage."
Sarene credits their relationships with small, independent retailers throughout the Northeast as their key to success in the hemp beverage market. While large corporate chains have been hesistant to carry them, family-owned operations are much quicker to see their value.
"A lot of these mom-and-pop shops are getting hit by the downturn in alcohol consumption," said Grabowski. "Hemp beverages have really been a boon for them."
And while onerous regulations in New York and elsewhere continue to befuddle the industry, the team at Sarene is confident that hemp beverages are the future.
"We see a future where hemp beverages are on every liquor store shelf in the Northeast. And every one of those shelves is stocked with a Sarene Craft brand."
