Irish brewery lands 400 U.S. accounts in under 30 days

A Sligo-based brewery has made an unusually fast entrance into U.S. on-trade and retail, landing in more than 400 accounts in under 30 days after launching in Boston and New York in August 2025. The move, driven by a route-to-market partnership with beverage accelerator BevNomad, shows how export-minded craft brands can scale quickly with the right distribution playbook.

The brewery’s early wins cover a mix of bars, bottle shops, and taprooms, giving it footprint in key trend-setting markets. The BevNomad collaboration handled placement, account introductions, and initial logistics, allowing the brewery to convert demand into orders and taps faster than traditional import models typically allow. For importers and distributors watching cross-Atlantic flows, the campaign illustrates how accelerators can compress the timeline from launch to meaningful retail presence.

Brand recognition and festival pedigree helped. The brewery carries a slate of awards and maintains a visible festival presence, including appearances at Hogstravaganza, which contributed to buzz among beer buyers and consumers already familiar with the brand. That reputation shortened the sales cycle for accounts looking to carry something with proven craft credentials rather than an untested import.

Planned expansion continues beyond the initial cities. The brewery intends to roll out into additional states including Illinois, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Minnesota, Michigan, and more. Those moves will test whether the rapid-account model can translate into deeper, sustainable distribution that supports regular keg rotations, package sales, and seasonal releases.

For bar owners and retailers, the immediate takeaway is operational: expect allocations, freight considerations, and brand support to determine how broadly an imported line can be kept in rotation. For taprooms, anticipate targeted keg offers and takeover opportunities as the brewery leverages early momentum. For homebrewers and local brewers, the arrival highlights growing competition for tap space but also new collaboration potential for events and festivals.

The rollout offers a practical blueprint: pairing brewery story and festival cred with a route-to-market specialist can jumpstart U.S. presence without years of slow buildup. As The White Hag expands into more states and leans into festivals and award platforms, accounts and consumers will see whether the initial surge converts into long-term demand and regular draft pours.