Southwest Beverages, LLC history

In 1961, the Company entered the wine business by acquiring the distribution rights of an Alexandria, Virginia distributor that was exiting the Roanoke Valley market.

In 1969, tobacco and retailing giant Philip Morris acquired Miller Brewing Company, and, with its new parent’s sales and marketing expertise, Miller exploded in size and became the United States’s second largest brewer.

After investing nearly 30 years into Albany Beverage Company, the Murrays decided that it was time to retire, selling their incredibly successful family business to C. Mark Pirrung in 1982.

In 1988, Cavalier Beverage purchased the Miller distributorship in Harrisonburg, Virginia, which was renamed Shenandoah Beverage Company and was managed along with the Charlottesville operation as one company.

Also in 1998, Blue Ridge Beverage acquired the Miller Brewing distribution rights of JRB Corporation.

In 2001, the Company combined the Charlottesville and Harrisonburg operations into a new facility in Waynesboro, Virginia.

In 2003, Blue Ridge Beverage acquired Dod Distributing Co., Inc.

In 2005, Red Bull North America appointed Blue Ridge Beverage as its distributor of Red Bull Energy Drink in 33 counties and 13 cities of the Company’s territory.

In 2009, Blue Ridge Beverage acquired the beer business of Virginia Distributing Company in Lynchburg and Roanoke.