Amoskeag Beverages has a long and distinguished past deeply rooted in New Hampshire history. The company was incorporated in 1946, operating out of a west Manchester garage under the direction of Thomas J. Fillon. In the early 1950s, the Cloutier family took over the business, distributing such products as Schlitz, Henley Ale & Beer and Carlings Red Cap. Eventually other brands such as Dawson, Colicroot Club, Harvard, Holliman, and Champale became part of the Amoskeag Beverages portfolio which continued to grow steadily through the 60s and early 70s.

A new era of Amoskeag began when Robert “Bo” Dickson and Gordon Welch purchased the company from the Cloutier family in 1974. By 1979 the business had outgrown the facility on Rimmon Street, and Amoskeag moved to a new warehouse on Route 3-A in Hooksett. Through some very lean years, the leadership team of Bo, Tom Bullock and new partner Mark Janulis navigated change and grew the portfolio with brands like St. Pauli Girl, Genesee, Schmidts, Red White & Blue, Narragansett, Ballantine, Falstaff and some non-alcoholic brands.

June 1988 proved to be a turning point for Amoskeag Beverages. Not only did a new agreement give Amoskeag distribution rights to Miller Brewing Company products in over 50% of the state, but the company also added Boston Beer Company (Sam Adams), Gambrinus (Corona) and Molson to its portfolio. In one fell swoop, Amoskeag became the largest distributor for each of these brands in the state of New Hampshire, leading to significant investments in people, equipment and a new warehouse.

The Red Sox winning the world series isn’t the only big event in 2004… On New Year’s Eve 2004, Amoskeag expanded its distribution geography for Miller Brewing Company, adding approximately 540,000 cases in an acquisition deal with Senecal Beverages. In May of 2008, Amoskeag acquired the distribution rights for Boston Beer, Crown Imports, Mike’s Hard Lemonade and Genesee from Senecal, landing another 600,000 cases per year. All told, Amoskeag now sold 3.5 million cases annually and serviced 80% of the state with its beer portfolio and 100% of the state with Red Bull.

On February 11, 2009, Amoskeag Beverages Inc. and Capitol Distributors Inc. entered into an agreement to merge the two companies into a new entity named Amoskeag Beverages LLC.  The joint venture brought together the Miller and Coors Brands, creating one of the largest distributors in New Hampshire.

Amoskeag Beverages is the largest beverage wholesaler in the state, selling over 7 million cases of beer and Red Bull annually to over 3,000 accounts across New Hampshire. We currently employ over 250 people and proudly sell the highest quality domestic, import, craft and N/A beverages. Our list includes Coors, Miller, Guinness, Samuel Adams, Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Red Bull and an ever-growing roster of local craft beers.