Aroostook Beverage Company

Aroostook Beverage Company in Presque Isle is the most northern beer and wine distributor in Maine and is also one of the most diverse. Owner Peter Briggs has grown the business beyond beer and wine, and has always remained true to his Maine roots by employing Maine people and giving back to the local community.

Like many of Maine’s beer and wine distributors that are family-owned, Peter learned the life of a distributor as a young man working for his father, Ralph Briggs, when the warehouse was originally located in Lincoln, Maine in 1947.

Peter grew up in Bangor and graduated from Husson College in 1959 with a B.S. in Business Administration.  Shortly after graduation, he moved to Presque Isle to work for his brother in the beer business.  A year later, Peter started his own distributorship in Caribou.  Seeing the opportunity for expansion, he bought three other local beer distributors and expanded his distribution capabilities by adding a mechanic shop and a full transportation division (ABC Express).

Today the company distributes beer products that include MillerCoors, Boston Beer, Corona, Mike’s Hard Lemonades, Schaefer, Honey Brown, Molson, Labatt, Heineken, Guinness, Smirnoff, Milwaukee’s Best,  and Maine-brewed beers including Geary’s, Shipyard, Seadog  and Gritty’s.  When it comes to wine, Aroostook Beverage Co. distributes  a wide variety,  including Banfi, Constellation, Corbet Canyon, Franzia, Fetzer, Robert Mondavi, Smoking Loon, Cook’s, Vendange, St. Regis, Sutter Home and Korbel.

The company is well-known for its commitment to its employees and the local community. Aroostook Beverage Company has 14 full and part-time employees who have a combined total of 187 years experience in the beer business. Using local drivers, the company delivers its beer, wine and other Maine lines, including Getchell Bros. ice from Brewer, to its many customers. As well as being a member of the local Chamber of Commerce, the company contributes to the University of Maine at Presque Isle and the Northern Maine Community College.

Aroostook Beverage Company moved to its current facility in Presque Isle in 1988 and today the company continues to grow. The facility is underwent a $60,000 office remodeling project that was completed by the end of March, 2010.  In 2011, the new-look facility will provide an ideal location for Aroostook Beverage Company to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

Contact:
Peter Briggs
Aroostook Beverage Company
52 Rice Street
Presque Isle, ME 04769
Tel: (207) 769-2081
Fax: (207) 769-2091
pbriggs@roadrunner.com