BEER INDUSTRY VETERAN PETE AVINGER JOINS THE WILLIAM K. BUSCH BREWING CO. AS TEXAS SALES DIRECTOR

Beer industry executive Peter D. Avinger, of suburban Houston, has been named Director of Sales for Texas by the William K. Busch Brewing Co., which continues expanding distribution of its award-winning, all-natural Kräftig Lager and Kräftig Light brands in the Lone Star state.

Kräftig Lager and Kräftig Light are available at on- and off-premise locations, such as bars, restaurants, and grocery and other retail stores, throughout Missouri and border markets in Kansas and Illinois.

In Texas, Kräftig Lager and Kräftig Light are available in Houston, Austin, McAllen, Corpus Christi, El Paso, and other South Texas cities, and will soon be available in North Texas markets, said William K. “Billy” Busch, president and CEO of the St. Louis-based company.

“Pete is one of the smartest, most experienced, and hardest-working people in the beer business,” Busch said. “And, he’ll be a great addition to our company, especially in Texas, as we continue serving our customers and expanding our distribution and sales throughout the nation’s second largest beer market.”

Before joining the William K. Busch Brewing Co., Avinger was the general manager of Favorite Brands’ Houston Branch, where he directed wholesaler activities specializing in craft beers, wine and spirits. During his tenure, sales and national accounts grew more than 40 percent.

Prior to Favorite Brands, Avinger was regional business manager for Viking Beverage in St. Cloud, MN, where he directed all sales and distribution of the Coca-Cola and Coors brands in three branches. He also was responsible for marketing, route sales, team development, retail growth, pricing, market execution, program activation, and other strategic wholesaler activities.

Avinger also served 26 years with Silver Eagle Distributors in Houston, where he held a variety of sales, marketing and corporate positions, including vice president of sales and marketing operations, sales manager, branch manager in Houston and Cypress, TX, pre-sell manager, and sales team leader.

As vice president of sales and marketing operations, Avinger led a 700-member team, and oversaw more than 7,000 retail accounts in four regions: Houston, Cypress, Rosenberg and Conroe, TX.

Kräftig Lager and Kräftig Light are brewed using only the highest quality, all-natural ingredients – Hallertau hops, two- and six-row barley, robust yeast, and pure water — an uncompromising commitment to quality, and a time-honored brewing tradition.

The premium-priced brands were rolled out in St. Louis in November 2011, and have since won a combined 29 national and international beer industry awards for quality in blind tastings by experts from throughout the U.S. and Europe. Its most recent award was a Gold Medal for Kräftig Light in the U.S. Open Beer Championship in July.

The William K. Busch Brewing Co. was launched in 2011 by Billy Busch, son of brewing giants August A. “Gussie” Busch Jr., grandson of August A. Busch Sr., and great-grandson of Adolphus Busch, founder of Anheuser-Busch, which was acquired in 2008 in a hostile takeover by Belgium-based InBev.

With Billy’s sons, Billy Jr. and August “Gussie” Busch, and other family members actively engaged in the company, his family represents the fourth and fifth generation of American brewers and “the continuation of the Busch brewing legacy,” Billy said.