COMPANYHISTORIES
NAIC 42281

Beer and Ale Wholesalers

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

12companies1698–1991founding years12still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedShepherd Neame Limited
1698
FoundedGreene King plc
1799
FoundedHeineken N.V.
1873
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
FoundedYoung's Market Company, LLC
1906
FoundedKirin Brewery Company, Limited
1907
FoundedAdolph Coors Company
1913
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedScottish & Newcastle plc
1931
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedAsahi Breweries, Ltd.FoundedSapporo Breweries Limited
1949
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedConstellation Brands, Inc.
1972
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedThe Gambrinus Company
1986
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
FoundedMBC Holding Company
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Shepherd Neame Limited →
Active · founded 1698 · United Kingdom
Shepherd Neame Limited has the distinction of being among the oldest British brewers as well as the 15th oldest…
Greene King plc →
Active · founded 1799 · United Kingdom
Located in eastern England, Greene King plc maintains a tradition of brewing beer in Bury St.
Heineken N.V. →
Active · founded 1873 · The Netherlands
1592: An Amsterdam brewery known as De Hooiberg (The Haystack) is established.
Young's Market Company, LLC →
Active · founded 1906
Young's Market Company, LLC is one of the largest wholesalers and distributors of beer, wine, and distilled spirits in…
Kirin Brewery Company, Limited →
Active · founded 1907 · Japan
Longtime leader of the Japanese beer market, Kirin Brewery Company, Limited in the early 2000s was overtaken by its…
Adolph Coors Company →
Active · founded 1913
Adolph Coors Company is the only family-owned brewery in the United States that was able to survive the late…
Scottish & Newcastle plc →
Active · founded 1931 · United Kingdom
Scottish & Newcastle plc is the United Kingdom's largest brewer.
Asahi Breweries, Ltd. →
Active · founded 1949 · Japan
Asahi Breweries, Ltd.
Sapporo Breweries Limited →
Active · founded 1949 · Japan
Over the course of its more than 120-year history, Sapporo Breweries Limited has evolved from a government-owned beer…
Constellation Brands, Inc. →
Active · founded 1972
Constellation Brands, Inc., is the only alcoholic beverage company in the United States involved in all three…
The Gambrinus Company →
Active · founded 1986
Based in San Antonio, Texas, The Gambrinus Company imports, brews, and distributes beers on a regional and national…
MBC Holding Company →
Active · founded 1991
MBC Holding Company is a corporation whose subsidiaries include Minnesota Brewing Company, Gopher State Ethanol, and…
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