I have not posted about Napa Smith lately so here is a bit of catch up.. We acquired the brewery & winery in December 2010 so it has been under our control since January… 10+ months.. we spent the first 3 getting production back up and running and taking care of vendors.  Since then, we have been brewing to capacity and selling everything we make.  Steve Morgan, Don Barkley and the rest of the growing Napa Smith team have been hitting on all cylinders as we have ramped up.  The Paddington team has taken the lead on sales and distribution.  The combination has been awesome!

Some highlights over the past year:

1. Paddington Brands acquires Napa Smith brewery & winery December 2010
2. Napa Smith Beer now available in 33states.  This is from a base of just CA back in 2009.  See map.
3. GABF Winner – Napa Smith Organic IPA won the Silver Medal at the Great American Beer Festival this year… huge!  More on this below.
4. Napa Smith “Brew Pub” tasting room opened in Napa, CA… an awesome experience and long overdue for our home market!
5. Numerous beer dinners and tasting and events throughout the year.
6. Major retailer support with placements in Safeway, Whole Foods, Publix, HEB, Harris Teeter, Total Wine & More, BevMo, ABC, Cost Plus World Markets and many more….

 

      Don’s brewery team had a wonderful time in Denver at the GABF seeing old friends and trying so many terrific beers.

Don Barkley – Master Brewer – GABF Silver Winner – Napa Smith Organic IPA

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a short video of Don Barkley on Napa Smith Organic IPA

Don Barkley on Napa Smith Organic IPA

And here is a link to some of the pictures from the brew pub opening on facebook… Napa Smith Brew Pub Opening

 

 

 

 

Napa Smith “Lost Dog” Red Ale blew out at the Brockway Pub in Carmel, Indiana just last weekend…

 

Lest anyone think all I do is work and all I do is talk about our brands and business here, I’m happy to share a very special performance by Anitra.  If you will be in the Bay area, join us in Napa for a very cool kickoff to “Nashville in Napa” weekend.  Several extraordinary singer – songwriters will perform among the vineyards for the benefit of some great causes.  Nashville In Napa

THE VENUE

Only 200 seats In the caves at Baldacci Family Vineyards

in the Napa Valley.

THE SONGWRITERS

#1 Hit Nashville songwriters will perform their music. The sets will feature songs and conversations about how the songs were inspired and created.

THE WINE MAKERS

Some of Napa Valley’s finest winemaker will share their wines and talk about the process involved in making these world-class examples of “inspiration in a glass.”

THE MISSION

Children benefit as the proceeds from this unique event will directly effect youth in Nashville and Napa through non-profit organizations chosen by the board of NOTES for EDUCATION™.

CHILDREN BENEFIT as the proceeds from Nashville In Napa will directly effect youth in Nashville and Napa through non-profit organizations chosen by the Board of NOTES for EDUCATION™. For 2010, the donations were presented to the Nashville chapter of NARAS for Grammy In The Schools (http://www.grammy.com/grammy_foundation/) and The Arts Council of Napa Valley (http://www.artscouncilnapavalley.org/). Our continuing mission is to bring music, arts and literacy into our communities.

2011 NASHVILLE in NAPA SONGWRITERS

Jessi Alexander

Jessi has been doing big things since we last heard her at Nashville in Napa in 2010. Last September, she was also awarded the ASCAP Global Impact Award for The Climb – a special award for a song that has had significant impact on multiple formats during the year throughout the world. Jessi spends her busy days now writing music for Disney Publishing and singing with her band, 18 South. Jessi’s credits include songs recorded by Toby Keith, Trisha Yearwood, Reba McIntyre, Little Big Town, and Patty Loveless the Country Music and Billboard #1 hit for Miley Cyrus, The Climb.

Radney Foster

Radney Foster enjoys a remarkable position in the country music landscape. Mainstream country music and independent Americana tend to occupy separate orbits. Yet for the past 25 years Foster has thrived in both as a songwriter, recording artist, live performer and producer. His songs—solo, with Foster and Lloyd and recorded by other artists—have topped the country and AAA charts alike. Plenty of big names in country music—including Dixie Chicks, Dierks Bentley and Kenny Chesney—are recording Radney Foster songs. Sara Evans and Keith Urban recently scored big hits with Foster’s “Real Fine Place to Start,” “Raining on Sunday,” and “I’m In.”

Brett James

Credits include not only country singers Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride and Tim Mcgraw, but pop and rock stars as well including Bon Jovi, Backstreet Boys and Daughtry. Brett has had over 10 #1 songs including Grammy away winning Jesus Take the Wheel (co-written by previous Nashville in Napa songwriter, Hilary Lindsay) which was recorded by Carrie Underwood.

Jon Randall

Since we last featured Jon in our Nashville in Napa list, he has made his way to the top as a Nashville producer, with hits from Dierks Bentley’s Up on the Ridge; an album on which he co-wrote several of the songs. Credits include ACM and CMA Song of the Year Whiskey Lullaby recorded by Alison Krauss and Brad Paisley; Break Each Other’s Hearts Again recorded by Reba McEntire and Don Henley; All This Love recorded by The Lost Trailers; Demons recorded by Kenny Chesney; and When It’s Good recorded by Lee Ann Rimes and Marc Broussara.

Frank Rogers

Not only is Frank Rogers the co-founder of Notes for Education/Nashville in Napa, but he is one of Nashville’s top producers and adds songwriting to his day whenever possible. Frank’s songwriting credits include two Number One hits: I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song) by Brad Paisley, Alright and This by Darius Rucker. Other singles that Rogers co-wrote include Paisley’s Who Needs Pictures and Me Neither, Rucker’s History in the Making, Trace Adkins’ Don’t Lie.

Chris Stapleton

Credits include Never Wanted Nothing More for Kenny Chesney, Swing for Trace Adkins, Your Man for Josh Turner, Keep On Lovin’ You for Steel Magnolia and Come Back Song for Darius Rucker as well as songs recorded by Patty Loveless, Tim McGraw, Lee Ann Womack, James Otto, Brooks & Dunn, Alison Krauss, LeAnn Rimes, Trent Willmon, and Trisha Yearwood.  Chris is a talented musician as well and has been the lead singer and guitarist of the bluegrass band The SteelDrivers; a band nominated for a Grammy in 2009 for the song “Blue Side of the Mountain.”

Morgane Hayes Stapleton

Morgane entered her songwriting career with the chart topping hit Don’t Forget To Remember Me recorded by Carrie Underwood. For an artist who came to Nashville with the foremost intention of being a singer, she now focuses full time on songwriting.  She speaks of her craft with great fervor.  Her motivation to write – and furthermore improve as a writer – comes in many different forms, from instruments to people to the still observation of both.  “Finding the people that you click the most with – that you work the best with – makes it so easy that it doesn’t even feel like work.  And that’s always when I write the stuff I love the most.”

Craig Wiseman

Credits include #1 singles The Good Stuff recorded by Kenny Chesney, Live Like You Were Dying recorded by Tim McGraw, for which he also earned a Grammy Award. Craig has written songs for Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins, Hillbilly Bone; LeeAnn Rimes, Something’s Gotta Give; for Brooks and Dunn, Summertime; and songs recorded by Toby Keith, Tracy Lawrence and Phil Vassar.

NOTE:  This deal has been a long time coming.  My team believes in this brand fully.  We are very excited to invest in Napa Smith, the Napa business community and build on our Napa based employment.  Napa Valley needs investment.  With unemployment hitting 10% in the valley, it is clear more business investment is needed.  We are looking forward to building on the foundation the founders of Napa Smith built and adding our ideas to the mix along with our ability to sell to the trade. We are highly confident in the future of this business.

Napa, CA  – December 21, 2010 – An investment group led by industry veteran, J. Smoke Wallin, is pleased to announce it has finalized the purchase of Napa Smith Brewery & Winery bringing it into the family of companies which includes Pelican Brands.  Napa Smith Beer has developed a growing following in the Craft Beer category, is currently in 17 states, and will be available nationally by the summer of 2011.  Earlier this year, Napa Smith appointed Pelican Brands as its exclusive sales representatives in the United States.

J. Smoke Wallin, Chairman & CEO of Pelican Brands and Napa Smith Holdings, said, “The craft beer business is the fastest growing category of beverage alcohol in America.   Napa Smith has all the right attributes to become one of the few truly global brands of craft beer – amazing beer from one of the most respected names in the craft brewing industry, distinctive packaging, Napa terroir.  These attributes combined with our Pelican Brands global distribution capability, experienced management team and our access to capital give us all the necessary elements to achieve great success.”  Wallin continued, “This acquisition is a great strategic fit combined with Pelican Brands as we build a global sales and brand platform, of both owned and agency brands.   We look forward to building Napa Smith into an iconic craft beer brand with President Steve Morgan and Master Brewer Don Barkley.”

Steve Morgan, President & COO of Napa Smith Holdings stated, “This is a very positive development for our business.  In 2010 Napa Smith – through Pelican’s sales and distribution platform – has expanded into 17 states.  With the capital, resources and relationships that Pelican brings to the mix, our beer will be available nationally by mid 2011.  Napa has become known world-wide for great wines, and deservedly so.  We are proud to hand-craft our beer here in Napa Valley with the same level of quality and attention to detail that built Napa’s global reputation.”

Don Barkley, Master Brewer said, “I’m doing what I love to do – brewing great beer.  Smoke and the whole Pelican team are my kind of people.  They appreciate the importance of brewing beer right.  At the same time, they bring scale and resources that will help Napa Smith reach many more thirsty consumers, which is something I’m passionate about!”

About Napa Smith Brewery

Napa Smith Brewery is located at the southern gateway to Napa Valley, just south of the town of Napa. Napa Valley is internationally known as a destination for those individuals who seek the best that life has to offer. Napa Smith is proud to contribute to the Napa tradition of hard work, craftsmanship, and artistry with the introduction of its unique family of beers. It creates its beers using proprietary recipes developed by Master Brewer Don Barkley – a veteran of 30+ years in the craft brewing industry.   Much of the Napa Smith’s growth has been fueled by its Signature Series of beers.  Offered in 4-packs, 22 oz bottles, and draught, Organic IPA™ and Lost Dog Red Ale™ have attracted national interest from both distributors and chains. Napa Smith Amber Ale, Napa Smith Pale Ale, and Napa Smith Lost Dog Red Ale are all recipients of Gold Medals at the California State Fair.  www.napasmithbrewery.com And on Facebook http://on.fb.me/fb7opr And follow us on Twitter @Napa_Smith

About Don Barkley, Master Brewer

Don Barkley is one of America’s most experienced craft brewers, having brewed professionally for 32 years.  Don started brewing in 1978 at New Albion Brewery, America’s first new brewery since Prohibition.    After 5 years there he moved to help found Mendocino Brewing Company, where he spent 25 years as Master Brewer.  While at Mendocino Don became an icon in the craft beer industry, creating such legendary beers as Red Tail Ale and Eye of the Hawk.  Don has now returned to his family’s home in Napa Valley – where they have lived for 6 generations – to craft the award-winning and rapidly growing beers of Napa Smith Brewery.  Don has done his best work yet at Napa Smith – developing every beer in the portfolio including the savory Lost Dog Red Ale, the innovative Organic IPA, and a strong portfolio of 3 rotating seasonal beers.

About Pelican Brands

Pelican Brands manages a portfolio of owned and agency premiere import & craft beers, artisanal spirits and fine wines.  Pelican Brands’ team and partners have extensive experience in the global beverage and consumer packaged goods industries.   Pelican Brands is headquartered in Carmel, IN, offices in the United Kingdom and Napa, CA and a sales team covering the U.S. market and select international markets. www.pelican-brands.com And on Facebook http://on.fb.me/afmdBU And follow us on Twitter @pelicanbrands