Port Brewing / The Lost Abbey Hits a Rocky Mountain High

Nation’s Top Small Brewery Signs Distribution Deal With Elite Brands of Colorado

SAN MARCOS, Calif. – Great beer lovers in the Centennial State have a reason to cheer. Port Brewing Company, 2007’s Great American Beer Festival Small Brewery of the Year, and 2008 World Beer Cup Champion Small Brewery, announced today that it has signed a distribution agreement with Denver-based Elite Brands. Under the agreement Elite Brands will provide statewide distribution of Port’s high touted family of American ales and groundbreaking Lost Abbey Belgian-inspired beers throughout the state of Colorado.

“Colorado is one of the great beer states and home to some of the nation’s best known craft brewers and most discerning beer drinkers,” said Port Brewing co-founder and director of brewery operations Tomme Arthur. “We’re very pleased that an organization of Elite Brands’ caliber will be representing our products in the state.”

“Adding Lost Abbey and Port Brewing Company to our beer portfolio is not only a great success for Elite Brands of Colorado, but also for our clients,” said Terry Cekola, owner of Elite Brands. “Their beers offer the qualities we strive to represent – top notch ingredients, superior brewing and outstanding taste.”

Elite Brands will begin distribution of Port Brewing and Lost Abbey beers immediately. In support of the brewery’s arrival in the state, Tomme Arthur will be making appearances and discussing his brews at Denver’s famed Falling Rock Taphouse on Wednesday, September 10th, and at Ft Collins’ Choice City Butcher on Thursday, September 11th.

For information and availability of Port Brewing and The Lost Abbey beers in Colorado, contact Elite Brands Sales Manager Nick Jumel via telephone at (303) 394-7535 or via email at njumel@elite-brands.com.

About Elite Brands of Colorado
Terry Cekola founded Elite Brands of Colorado in 2003 after moving from Michigan where she grew up in the distribution business. Her brothers run Imperial Beverage of Kalamazoo and Elite Brands of Michigan based in Detroit. Based in Denver, Elite of Colorado has 11 sales people and distributes beer, wine and a small amount of specialty spirits throughout the state. The company is located at 4912 Lima Street, Denver, CO 80239. Telephone (303) 394-7535.

About Port Brewing / Lost Abbey
Founded in 2006, Port Brewing Company is 2007’s Great American Beer Festival Small Brewery of the Year and produces a line of award-winning American ales as well as the groundbreaking Lost Abbey family of Belgian-inspired beers. Craft brewed under the direction of co-founder and three-time GABF brewer of the year, Tomme Arthur, five beers are issued under the Lost Abbey label year-round: Avant Garde, Lost and Found, Red Barn, Devotion and Judgment Day. Additionally, a number of seasonal and specialty releases are offered at various times throughout the year. As many of these are blended and aged for up to 18 months in French Oak, Brandy and Bourbon barrels, Lost Abbey beers are universally recognized for their complexity, unique flavors, and bold, boundary-pushing styles. Port Brewing is located at 155 Mata Way, Suite 104, San Marcos, CA 92069, USA. Telephone (760) 889-9318, web: www.lostabbey.com.