Stemma Brewing expands Washington Distribution with new Partnership
Bellingham, Washington’s white hot 3-year-old Stemma Brewing Company has signed a distribution deal with Buoy Beer Co. owned Washington distributor River Barrel Distributing. River Barrel Distributing serves Seattle’s King County and the Greater Western area of Pierce, Thurston, Lewis, Snohomish, Kitsap, and Grays Harbor Counties.
Stemma was founded by Jason Harper and his family and first opened in summer 2019. After years of home brewing, experience in the beer industry, and a Level 3 Advanced Cicerone certification, Jason decided to make his brewery dream a reality and brought on both his wife, Kim, and his parents. In fact, the name “Stemma” derives from Latin references to “genealogy” or “family tree.”
Stemma Brewing Company’s space in Bellingham’s Roosevelt neighborhood was created with a family-friendly atmosphere in mind and welcomes both children and dogs.
“We’re excited to partner with Stemma Brewing’s combination of award-winning beer and branding,” says Jeremiah Smith, Sales Director. “Like many others in the River Barrel Distributing lineup, Stemma is passionate about bringing people together through quality beverages and RBD is looking forward to providing their products throughout the region.”
While the company creates a variety of beer styles, IPAs have been their most popular sellers. Stemma’s flagship West Coast IPA is a “well-balanced West Coast IPA full of vibrant hop flavors of tropical pineapple, citrus, and a touch of pine. Easy bitterness with a smooth, crisp finish.”
Another favorite is the Shelter N’Haze IPA, a “tropical hazy IPA featuring Skagit Valley Malts and Sabro hops. Complex hop aromatics of coconut, ripe pineapple, and mango with a full mouth feel and just a touch of sweetness.”
In addition to IPAs, Stemma’s Super Squeeze Fruited Seltzer has also been a favored choice. Their naturally gluten-free seltzer features a variety of rotating 100% natural fruit purees to make it refreshingly delicious and easily “crushable.”
"We are really excited for expanded distribution into the greater Seattle area with River Barrel Distributing,” says Harper. “They are really focused on craft beer education and quality which are things we are passionate about. River Barrel's concentrated book of brands allows them to spend the extra time with accounts, making them the perfect extension of the Stemma sales team."
River Barrel Distributing serves Seattle’s King County and the Greater Western area of Pierce, Thurston, Lewis, Snohomish, Kitsap, and Grays Harbor Counties.