A Colorful History
Established in 1953, Dakota Beverage Company Inc. has traveled a rich and colorful path which has transformed it into the thriving business it is today.

In 1953 a brazen young entrepreneur, John (Jack) Gores II, saw an opportunity to branch from his father's coal business and try his hand as a beer wholesaler. With just one brand in his warehouse, Blatz Beer, Jack's driving ambition and savvy business mind established Dakota Beverage as a company known for its premium products and excellent service.

It didn't take long before Dakota Beverage had grown its product line to include brands such as Schlitz, Schmidt's and Heineken. Having secured a solid position as a supplier of domestic brands, Heineken was the first of many high quality imports Dakota Beverage was destined to acquire.

After Incorporating in 1967, Dakota Beverage continued to grow and solidify its presence in the beer industry. In the early 1970's Lammers Distributing, a local competitor, was looking to transition out of the industry. Dakota Beverage, being the newest shining star in the business, was first to approach Lammers and purchased the company. This added even more products to the Dakota Beverage family of brands, including Hamm's and Falstaff. As a result of the acquisition, the increased volume gave Dakota Beverage the opportunity to build a new, larger warehouse on the eastern side of Sioux Falls. It was also the beginning of a new partnership. John, Jack's son, became co-owner of the company and worked alongside his dad as an influential leader.

In 1986 Dakota Beverage acquired the flagship brands it is known for today by purchasing Thomas Distributing. Thus Coors Brewing Company brands, Pabst Brewing Company brands, Olympia, Foster's, Lowenbrau and the Guinness family
of brands were added to the mix.

In 1996 Dakota Beverage branched north and purchased yet nother distributor, Forester Distributing, expanding its existing territory as far north as Estelline and including the college town of Brookings. Just two years later an opportunity to move into a southern market opened and Dakota Beverage acquired Wallbaum Distributing and expanded its territory all the way to North Sioux City, including such towns as Yankton and Vermillion.

In August of 2005, after 52 successful years in the beverage industry, the heart and soul of Dakota Beverage, John (Jack) Gores II, passed away. He left the company in the capable hands of his son, John, who has been with the company since 1973. John is privileged to continue chasing the dream that his father started over fifty years ago.

In 2008, yet another milestone was reached with the acquisition of Carlson Distributing. With this purchase, Miller Brewing Company brands were added, including Lite, MGD, MGD 64, Leinenkugel, Milwaukee's Best, Miller High Life and Icehouse. Twenty-Five Carlson Distributing employees were added to the
Dakota Beverage team, bringing the total number of employees to just under one hundred.

In May of 2009, after 9 years of patiently waiting, Dakota Beverage took another monumental step in furthering its specialty beer market by acquiring the rights to distribute New Belgium Brewing Company products. These products, which are based out of Fort Collins, Colorado, include Fat Tire, Sunshine Wheat, 1554, Mothership Wit, Abbey, Trippel and their Seasonal selections.

As the years have gone by, Dakota Beverage has established itself as a leader in the import and specialty beer markets, as well as being a formidable adversary in the local domestic market. With over 300 brands representing 12 countries, Dakota Beverage has grown to become one of the most influential and successful distributors in the area.

Acquisition History
1953 – Blatz Beer
1963 – Schlitz – Schmidt’s – Heineken
1972 – Purchased Lammer’s Distributing – Hamm’s, Falstaf,
               Special Export & Old Style
1986 – Purchased Thomas Distributing:
                Coors Brewing Co Brands
                Pabst Brewing Co Brands
                Olympia Beer
                Fosters
                Lowenbrau
                Guinness
1987 – Premier Wine & Spirits - Corona
1992 – Pete’s Wicked
1994 – Samuel Adams
1995 – St. Pauli Girl from Carlson Distributing
1996 – Purchased Foerster Distributing – Brookings
1998 – Purchased Wallbaum Distributing – Yankton:
                Rolling Rock
                Tecate
                Dos Equis
                Grain Belt
                Labatt
1998 – Boulevard Brewing
1999 – Mike’s Hard Lemonade
2000 – Smirnoff
2001 – Rogue Ale, Sierra Nevada
2002 – Schell’s Brewing
2003 – Pilsner Urquell
2004 – Sleeman, Rockies Brewing Company, Kentucky Ale, Lewis & Clark,                Singha
2007 – Odell Brewing Co.
2008 – Purchased Carlson Distributing:
                Miller Brewing Co. Brands
                Big Sky Brewing Co. Brands
                Bitburger Brewing
                Carlsburg Brewing
                Distinguish Brands International-Chimay Brewing, D & V International
2009 – New Belgium Brewing Co.