CHICAGO — From 7-Eleven’s growler program to Kwik Trip’s partnership with a local brewery, convenience stores have tested selling their own branded beers.
Here are five c-stores that have tried their hand at beer brewing …
In November, Kwik Trip partnered with Madison, Wis.-based Karben4 Brewing. The La Crosse, Wis.-based c-store chain teased the release of its Glazer Bean beer for days before it was shipped to stores throughout the state.
The chocolate coffee stout was made with Kwik Trip’s Cafe Karuba dark-roast coffee and was expected to be available in stores for two to three weeks.
Wawa released its first branded beer in partnership with 2SP Brewing Co., Aston, Pa., in late 2018 with a Wawa Winter Reserve Coffee Stout. The oatmeal stout beer was steeped with the Wawa, Pa.-based chain’s limited-edition Winter Blend coffee. Only 1,000 cases of the beer were available.
In spring 2019, Altoona, Pa.-based Sheetz partnered with brewer Rusty Rail Brewing Co. to create the retailer’s first craft beer, Project Coffee Hopz. The coffee bean IPA was available for a limited time in 55 Sheetz locations in Pennsylvania and sold for $7.99 for a four-pack of 16-ounce cans.
Tote’m Craft Beer by 7-Eleven was launched in the chain’s 6,300-square-foot lab store that opened in March in Dallas. The name of the beer comes from an early name used on Southland Ice Co.’s stores, precursors to Irving, Texas-based 7-Eleven, in the 1930s.
Tote’m is not private-brand beer but a fresh-to-go program in which beers—including some local and award-winning favorites—are sold from a tap in 64-ounce growler bottles (for $9-$15) or 32-ounce crowler cans ($6-$10).
Ballston Spa, N.Y.-based Stewart’s Shops launched an exclusive craft beer ahead of Independence Day in 2017. The c-store worked with Shmaltz Brewing Co., Clifton Park, N.Y., to develop High Cliff India Pale Ale.
The private-label beer sold for $8.99 per six-pack and joined the store’s proprietary budget beer Mountain Brew, which debuted in 2010.
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