Our Industry

State-Based Alcohol Regulation

As a distributor of regulated products, Heidelberg is proud to be part of the "middle tier" of the alcohol industry's three-tier system. Beverages move from licensed suppliers (breweries/wineries/other manufacturers) to licensed distributors (us) to licensed retailers (grocers, convenience stores, restaurants, bars and others). Every retailer with an Ohio or Kentucky State-issued liquor license is our customer. That means that we're servicing more than 24,000 retailers in two states! Why are we regulated? Because the 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (which ended Prohibition in 1933) gave States the authority to make sure alcohol beverages are delivered through a safe and reliable system. The system is critical in maintaining product safety and addressing alcohol abuses such as drunk driving and underage drinking. And, the three-tier system provides a transparent chain of custody in alcohol sales and makes each part of the industry accountable for its practices.

Economic Impact

The Heidelberg family is made up of 1,400 Associates - all working hard every day to bring the finest beer, wine, spirits and other beverages to your local retailer in Ohio and Kentucky. Each division has millions of dollars invested in property, office and warehouse facilities, inventory, trucks and equipment. Annual payroll and business taxes also run in the millions of dollars. Investment in people is the key to our success: Good-paying jobs and benefits make Heidelberg an attractive place to work and contributes to a healthy Ohio and Kentucky.

Both Impact Magazine and Beverage World have listed Heidelberg in the "top 20" distributors for beer volume in the U.S. every year since 2003.

Leadership

Owners and managers of Heidelberg volunteer countless hours to state and federal trade associations (Wholesale Beer & Wine Assn. of Ohio, National Beer Wholesalers of America and Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America). We lead committees and boards, help organize grass roots efforts and educate legislators about the industry. Associates also contribute to the National NBWA and Ohio WBWAO Political Action Committees.