B. United International

What B. United International does

B. United International Inc. is a privately held, US-based importer and wholesale distributor of specialty alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, founded in 1994 by Matthias Neidhart and headquartered in Oxford, Connecticut. The company curates and distributes an exclusive portfolio spanning world classic ales and lagers, Japanese sakes, ciders and perry, meads, vintage/aged beers, spirits (whisky, mezcal, grappa, amaro, rum), and craft non-alcoholic beverages sourced from 100+ international producers across Europe, Asia, Africa, Mexico, and Australia. Core proprietary infrastructure is the Tank Container Project: a fleet of six temperature-controlled ISO tanks built by UBH International (UK) with Klinge refrigeration, supported by an automated Cask Brewing Systems canning line with CO2 purge, Alfred Gruber semi-automatic kegging, and in-house lab testing for dissolved oxygen, carbonation, and batch consistency. Products are sold primarily through a three-tier wholesale model using 17 regional division managers covering 30+ US states, with supplemental reach into retailers and on-premise accounts via an online portal, and a small direct-to-consumer Oxford, CT brewery store plus Square e-commerce site for tank-container fresh draft. Revenue is generated through transactional import-and-resell margins on specialty SKUs; pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The company is founder-owned, has no disclosed external investors or funding rounds, and operates with 11–50 employees.

Name

B. United International

Legal name

B. United International Inc.

Website

https://bunitedint.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

B. United International is a privately held US importer and wholesale distributor, founded in 1994, that curates specialty beers, sakes, ciders, meads, and spirits from 100+ international producers and distributes them to wholesalers, retailers, and on-premise accounts across 30+ US states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Beverage Importing and Distribution

NAICS

Beer, Wine, and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (4248), Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers (424810), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (44532)

SIC

Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Alcohol Importers & Brand Owners (Wholesale) (CRAOAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Beer, Wine & Spirits Wholesale Distribution (CRAOAIAA), Beverage Import/Export & Cross-Border Wholesale (AFAIAGAL), Premium, Rare & Collectible Alcohol Retail (Fine Wine/Spirits) (CRANAAAJ), Alcoholic Beverage Blending, Bottling & Private Label (Non-Distilling) (AFAFAAAH)

Keywords

• Specialty beverage importing
• Craft beer distribution
• Sake and mead import
• Cider and spirits wholesale
• International brewery portfolio

Headquarters

HQ city

Oxford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Import and Distribution of Specialty Beverages: B. United International imports and distributes a portfolio of world classic beers, Japanese sakes, ciders, meads, and spirits from international producers to US retailers and on-premise establishments through a network of wholesalers and distributors.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

B. United International imports and distributes a portfolio of specialty alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages—world classic ales and lagers, vintage ales, British ales, Japanese sakes, ciders and perry, meads, spirits, and non-alcoholic drinks—sourced from over 100 international producers and delivered to U.S. wholesalers, retailers, and on-premise accounts via temperature-controlled tank container logistics. Distribution is supported by a Beer Seminar Program and dedicated territorial division managers across major U.S. regions.

Product overview

B. United International Inc. is an importer and distributor of specialty alcoholic beverages established in 1994. The company offers a curated portfolio organized into collections: World Classic Ales & Lagers, Vintage Collection, Award Winning British Ales, Japanese Sakes (including Hitachino Nest products), Ciders & Perry (from French and German producers), Meads, Spirits, and Non-Alcoholic beverages. The Tank Container Project provides temperature-controlled import infrastructure for draft beverages. Products are distributed through a network of wholesalers and retailers, supported by the Beer Seminar Program for market education. Key brands include Reissdorf Koelsch (Germany), Kiuchi Japanese whisky and sake (Japan), Uerige Altbier and distilled products (Germany), Makana Meadery products (South Africa), Domaine Christian Drouin ciders (France), and MEZZANINE MAKERS non-alcoholic beverages (Hong Kong).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• World Classic Ales & Lagers Curated collection of imported world classic ales and lagers from international craft breweries featuring traditional brewing processes.
• Vintage Collection Specialized collection of vintage and aged specialty beverages including barrel-aged beers and spirits.
• Award Winning British Ales Selection of award-winning British ales including J.W. Lees Harvest Ale and Harvey's Son Ltd. products from traditional UK breweries.
• Japanese Sakes Premium Japanese sake offerings including Hitachino Nest products from Kiuchi Shuzo K.K.
• Ciders & Perry Ciders and perry from producers including Domaine Christian Drouin, Domaine Familial Etienne Dupont, and Fuchshof GdR.
• Meads Traditional and specialty meads including products from Makana Meadery, Dansk Mjod A/S, and Apicoltura Dr.Pescia.
• Spirits Spirits including whisky, mezcal, grappa, distilled beers, and other artisanal spirits from international producers.
• Non-Alcoholic Beverages Non-alcoholic specialty beverages including non-alcoholic beers, sodas, tonics, and sparkling juices from producers such as MEZZANINE MAKERS and Domaine Christian Drouin.
• Tank Container Project Temperature-controlled tank container import infrastructure for beer, sake, cider, and meads, featuring temperature control from fill to kegging/canning, automated Cask Brewing Systems canning line, stainless steel 20L/30L/50L kegs with American Sankey fittings, and CO2 purge for low dissolved oxygen.
• Beer Seminar Program Market education program providing distributor and retailer training on B. United's specialty portfolio prior to selling, establishing connection between importer, distributor, retailer, and consumer.
• Draft Support Services Draft support services for retailers and wholesalers including technical assistance on draft systems and product recommendations for on-premise accounts.
• HINOMARU Japanese Whisky 'Signature 1823' Single malt Japanese whisky from Kiuchi Brewery blended from bourbon, rum, and sherry casks, paying homage to Kiuchi's 1823 founding.
• HINOMARU Japanese Whisky 'Sakura Ra' Complex Japanese single malt whisky from Kiuchi with a multi-cask expression matured in Sherry, Bourbon, Sakura, and Cherry brandy casks.
• Kiuchi HINOMARU '2023 Celebration' Annual vintage single malt Japanese whisky made with British barley malt and aged in Japanese red wine barrels.
• Reissdorf Koelsch Iconic German Kölsch-style beer (4.8% ABV) from Privatbrauerei Heinrich Reissdorf with minty hop aroma, sweet vanilla-like malt flavors, and a crisp dry cedary finish; protected appellation of origin from Cologne, Germany.
• Kiuchi No Shizuku Distilled white ale (43% ABV) from Kiuchi Shuzo K.K. — double-distilled Hitachino Nest White Ale matured in oak barrels with coriander, hops, and orange peel.
• Kiuchi Hinomaru 'OWL' Japanese Whisky Authentic Japanese whisky brand from Kiuchi Brewery featuring multiple expressions (Sakura Ra, Signature 1823, KOME, annual Celebration editions) using vacuum distillation and various wood casks including Sakura, Mizunara, Sherry, and Bourbon.
• Uerige Stickum Plus in Cognac barrels Distilled beer (45% ABV) from Uerige Obergaerige Hausbrauerei — distilled from Uerige DoppelSticke Alt and matured in Remy Martin cognac barrels.
• Grootslang Indigenous South African rum spirit (18.5% ABV) from Makana Meadery made from sugar cane molasses enriched with local Kumquats and Kola Nuts, named after the 'great snake' creature from South African folklore.
• Mauthia Artisanal mezcal (50% ABV) from Casa Leon Rojo, Mexico, made from Cupreata agave growing in Michoacan and Guerrero at 1200–1800m altitude, roasted in pit ovens and double distilled in copper pot stills.
• Pipí Cucú Maracuyá Agave Highball Carbonated highball (6% ABV) from COLECTIVO ATL-XOLOTL made from passion fruit fermented seltzer blended with angustifolia agave spirit from Oaxaca.
• Grappa e Miele Toscano Italian grappa (40% ABV) from Apicoltura Dr.Pescia infused with Tuscan Acacia honey, distilled from Tuscan white grape pomace.
• Amaro Marasso Italian amaro bitter (30% ABV) from Birrificio Italiano made from 16 hand-picked herbs, roots, berries, flowers, and spices.
• Tonica Al Pompelmo Italian pink grapefruit tonic water from Selezione Baladin Srl balancing citrus aroma and bitter quinine notes.
• Spicy Ginger Soda Ginger soda from MEZZANINE MAKERS (Hong Kong) made with local ginger, Sichuan peppercorn, cinnamon, nutmeg, and Tsaoko.
• Strawberry Yerba Mate Sparkling yerba mate beverage from MEZZANINE MAKERS made with strawberry syrup, yerba mate, and local lemon juice; contains caffeine and antioxidants.
• Drouin's Jus de Poire Pétillant Non-alcoholic sparkling pear juice from Domaine Christian Drouin (France) made from traditional French pear varieties including Plant de Blanc, Rouge Vigné, and Gros Blot.

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• UBH InternationalcoreTechnology or IntegrationTank container manufacturer that designed and built the specialized transportable tanks used for bulk liquid transport. Based in the United Kingdom.
• KlingecoreTechnology or IntegrationWorld's leading manufacturer of refrigerated transport containers, providing refrigeration units for the tank container system.
• Cask Brewing SystemscoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides automated canning line with CO2 purge and under lid gassing for very low DO levels, and electric can driven seamer for reliable can seams.
• Alfred Gruber GMBHcoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides semi-automatic keg filling line used in the tank container and keg cleaning/filling operations.
• 100+ International ProducerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of over 100 international breweries and producers including Italian (Birrificio Baladin, Birrificio Italiano), German (Aecht Schlenkerla, Uerige, Reissdorf), Belgian (De Dolle Brouwers, Alvinne), Japanese (Kiuchi Shuzo/Hitachino Nest), French (Domaine Christian Drouin, Dupont), UK (Harviestoun, J.W. Lees), Mexican (COLECTIVO ATL-XOLOTL), and many others.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Skurnik Wines & Spirits: Skurnik Wines is a US fine wine and artisanal spirits importer/distributor with a curated portfolio of small family producers. Comparable in the high-end curated import model and the producer-exclusivity approach.
• Polaner Selections: Polaner Selections is a US importer and distributor of fine wines and artisanal spirits from small family-owned producers. Comparable in the 'specialty importer of small international producers' category, with overlap in premium spirits.
• Total Beverage Solution: Total Beverage Solution imports and markets a portfolio of craft beers, ciders, and specialty alcoholic beverages in the US. Comparable in multi-category specialty beverage importing and US wholesaler distribution.
• St. Killian Importing Company: St. Killian is a US craft beer importer specializing in German and Belgian breweries. Direct peer in the imported specialty beer distribution space, with overlapping producer relationships (e.g., Aecht Schlenkerla, Hofstetten).
• Merchant du Vin: Merchant du Vin imports and distributes traditional craft and specialty beers from Belgium, Germany, and the UK. Closely comparable in portfolio composition (Belgian, German, British ales) and in the small-importer US craft distribution space.
• Brewers Distribution Alliance (BDA): BDA is a US craft beer import and sales alliance representing multiple European and international breweries. Comparable as a craft import entity aggregating small international producers into a US distribution footprint.
• Shelton Brothers: Shelton Brothers is a US importer and distributor of craft beer, mead, cider, and sake from small international producers. The most direct peer to B. United, with a similar portfolio philosophy and a comparable regional US distribution model.
• Artisanal Imports: Artisanal Imports is a US importer focused on craft beer, cider, and artisanal beverages from small international producers. Direct peer in the small-producer specialty import segment with similar go-to-market via regional wholesalers.

Broad incumbents

• Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits: Southern Glazer's is the largest US alcohol wholesaler, distributing wine, beer, and spirits nationwide. A broad incumbent that buys from many of the same producers and represents the consolidation counterweight that small importers like B. United must navigate.
• AB InBev / Goose Island Beer Co. AB InBev is a global brewing giant that owns large craft import brands and has its own US distribution. Represents the strategic and competitive backdrop for small craft importers, including the risk of acquiring or being adjacent to B. United's producer partners.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/BUnitedInt
• Instagraminstagram.com/bunitedint
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/b-united-international-inc-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about B. United International