ARMED FORCES BREWING COMPANY

What ARMED FORCES BREWING COMPANY does

Armed Forces Brewing Company is a military tribute craft brewing company founded in 2018 and headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia since July 2023, after relocating from Annapolis, Maryland. The company produces a portfolio of seven beers thematically tied to U.S. military branches and operations — including Preamble (a 4.2% ABV session lager brewed with a single American hop grown by veterans), Special Hops IPA (6.7% ABV), Cat Shot Lager (5.5% ABV), Grunt Double IPA (9.5% ABV), Death From Above Coffee Porter (6.0% ABV), Black Hops Black IPA (7.0% ABV), and Neptune's Beer, a limited annual 13.2% ABV Thrice Bock Lager released each May 1st to commemorate Operation Neptune's Spear. Production is led by Chief Brewing Officer Bob Rupprecht, a Maryland Governor's Cup winner, and Head Brewer Dale Lazar, a Registered Journeyman in Brewing.

The company generates revenue through two streams: beer sales via retail distribution and direct-to-consumer online shipping, and branded merchandise sales through a separate e-commerce storefront, The Armory 1776. Distribution covers Walmart and Sam's Club (nationwide following the 2022 Walmart Open Call win from 1,500 applicants), H-E-B in Texas (~200 stores), Winn-Dixie in the Southeast, and Military Exchange stores on bases, with direct-to-consumer shipping available in 36 states. The company is led by CEO Alan Beal (35 years of multi-unit food and beverage experience) and is backed by a roster of high-profile veteran shareholders and advisors including former Navy SEAL Robert O'Neill, alongside a stated commitment to employ at least 70% veterans company-wide.

The go-to-market combines enterprise field sales (regional sales managers covering the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast), channel partnerships with named retail chains, and direct-to-consumer e-commerce. Marketing relies on mass-market earned media coverage (Fox News, Fox Business, ABC), a branded podcast (The Red Friday Podcast), social media, and community events. The company has no disclosed revenue, no institutional funding, and operates with 1–10 employees, with strategic ambitions stated for national and global distribution expansion.

Name

ARMED FORCES BREWING COMPANY

Legal name

Armed Forces Brewing Company, Inc.

Website

https://armedforcesbrewingco.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Armed Forces Brewing Company is a military tribute craft brewery founded in 2018, producing a seven-SKU portfolio of beers themed around U.S. military branches and operations. It sells through Walmart, Sam's Club, H-E-B, Military Exchange stores, and DTC e-commerce in 36 states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Annapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Beer Sales: Direct sales of craft beers through retail stores, online ordering, and distribution partnerships with major retailers. Products include Preamble (Patriotic Session Lager), Special Hops IPA, Cat Shot Lager, Grunt Double IPA, Death From Above Coffee Porter, Black Hops Black IPA, and Neptune's Beer (limited release Thrice Bock Lager).
2. Merchandise/Gear Sales: Sales of branded merchandise through The Armory 1776 online store (www.thearmory1776.com), including apparel and gear with military-tribute branding.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Armed Forces Brewing Company is a craft brewing company that produces and sells military-tribute beers across a portfolio of seven named products ranging from a 4.2% ABV session lager to a 13.2% ABV limited-release bock. The company distributes these beers through major retail chains (Walmart, Sam's Club, H-E-B, Winn-Dixie), Military Exchange stores, and direct-to-consumer online shipping, complemented by branded apparel and merchandise sales through The Armory 1776.

Product overview

Armed Forces Brewing Company is a military tribute craft brewing company offering a portfolio of seven distinct beer products. The product lineup includes session lagers (Preamble), IPAs (Special Hops, Black Hops), a Double IPA (Grunt), lagers (Cat Shot), a coffee porter (Death From Above), and a high-ABV thrice bock (Neptune's Beer). Each product is thematically tied to different branches or operations of the U.S. military, with flavor profiles ranging from light and crisp to bold and hoppy. The company sells canned and kegged products through distribution in select states, military exchange stores, and online shipping.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Armed Forces Brewing Company: Military tribute craft brewing company paying homage to American active duty military and veterans

Products and services

• Preamble – We The People Patriotic Session Lager at 4.2% ABV, 10 IBU, and 3 SRM. Crisp, clean light malt sweetness balanced by restrained herbal hops from a single American hop grown by Veterans. Available in 24/12oz, 16oz, 19.2oz cans, cases, 1/6 keg, and 1/2 keg formats for craft beer consumers.
• Special Hops India Pale Ale at 6.7% ABV, 50 IBU, and 5.5 SRM. Bold and adventurous tribute to America's elite forces featuring citrus, peach, and mango flavors from Azacca, Centennial, and Simcoe hops. Available in 24/12oz cans, cases, 1/6 keg, and 1/2 keg formats.
• Cat Shot American Craft Lager at 5.5% ABV, 18 IBU, and 6 SRM. Clean and refreshing with a touch of corn sweetness, paying tribute to aircraft carrier flight decks. Uses Continental Pilsner, Flaked Maize malt and Crystal/Horizon hops.
• Grunt Double India Pale Ale at 9.5% ABV and 75 IBU. Tribute to the U.S. Army with a solid malt backbone and assertive citrus hop flavor and aroma from Citra, Centennial, and Columbus hops. Available in 24/12oz cans, 15/19.2oz cans, cases, 1/6 keg, and 1/2 keg formats.
• Death From Above Coffee Porter at 6.0% ABV, 35 IBU, and 26 SRM. Robust tribute to U.S. Air Force Strategic Bomber Wings with dark, velvety coffee notes, roast barley, and chocolate. Uses Pale, Brown, English Crystal, and Chocolate malts and Magnum hops.
• Black Hops Black IPA at 7.0% ABV, 60 IBU, and 29 SRM. Dark and mysterious tribute to Black Ops missions with rich malt backbone, dark chocolate, coffee notes, and hints of citrus and pine from Centennial, Columbus, and Simcoe hops.
• Neptune's Beer Limited release Thrice Bock Lager with exceptional 13.2% ABV, 25 IBU, and 19 SRM. Crafted annually on May 1st to commemorate Operation Neptune's Spear, with exceedingly rich malt flavor and notes of almonds and cherries. Uses Pilsner, Munich, and Brown malts and Warrior hops.
• Branded Merchandise and Apparel Branded apparel and gear with military-tribute branding sold through the dedicated The Armory 1776 online storefront (www.thearmory1776.com) for military community consumers and brand enthusiasts.

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• H-E-BcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 5 August 2022Texas-based grocery chain partnership. Beer available in nearly 200 H-E-B stores in Texas, positioned as 'The Official Beer of Freedom' in the Texas market.
• WalmartcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 28 July 2022Major retail distribution partnership secured after winning Walmart Open Call event from 1500 applicants. Armed Forces Brewing Company beer sold in Walmart stores nationwide starting 2023. This is a flagship distribution partnership for mass market reach.
• Sam's ClubcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 28 July 2022Warehouse club distribution partnership for bulk beer sales alongside Walmart partnership. Expands retail footprint in warehouse club channel.
• Winn-DixieminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSoutheastern grocery chain distribution partnership covering Florida and Alabama markets, aligned with the company's Southeast Regional Sales Manager coverage.
• Military Exchange StorescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution into Military Exchange stores serving active duty military and veterans on bases. Unique partnership providing access to military community. Approved for distribution alongside commercial retail partners.
• The Armory 1776minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDedicated merchandise e-commerce store (www.thearmory1776.com) for branded gear and apparel. Separate storefront for merchandise sales distinct from main beer website.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• D.G. Yuengling & Son:
• Molson Coors Beverage Company: Major U.S. brewer (Coors, Miller) with significant craft and import portfolio (including Blue Moon, Leinenkugel's). Comparable as a broad incumbent competing for the same mass-market retail distribution and shelf space at major grocers and warehouse clubs.
• Boston Beer Company: Public craft brewer (Samuel Adams, Twisted Tea, Truly) and the largest U.S. craft-focused brewer. Directly comparable as a craft/multi-SKU beer brand operating at national retail scale, with shared multi-format retail distribution and similar product breadth across lagers, IPAs, and seasonals.
• Anheuser-Busch InBev: Largest U.S. brewer and the dominant mass-market beer company (Budweiser, Bud Light), with a portfolio that includes craft acquisitions. Comparable as the incumbent that controls most of the shelf space Armed Forces Brewing must compete for at Walmart, Sam's Club, and H-E-B.

Direct peers

• Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Iconic independent U.S. craft brewery with broad national distribution across IPAs, lagers, and seasonal/limited releases. Closely comparable as a multi-format, multi-SKU craft producer competing for similar shelf space and craft enthusiast consumers.
• Stone Brewing: Independent craft brewery with national distribution emphasizing IPAs and bold-flavor beers. Comparable SKU mix and craft consumer overlap, particularly around hop-forward IPAs like the company's Special Hops and Grunt.
• New Belgium Brewing Company: Independent craft brewery (Fat Tire, Voodoo Ranger) with national distribution and a similarly broad IPA/lager portfolio. Comparable as a mission-driven craft brand that scaled nationally via major retail partnerships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/armed-forces-brewing-company
• Xx.com/ArmedForcesBC
• Facebookfacebook.com/ArmedForcesBrewingCompany

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles22 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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