Beverage Federation
Beverage Federation is a B2B group purchasing organization and marketplace serving independent craft beverage producers. Founded in 2023, it aggregates buying volume across 1,000+ members to negotiate preferred supplier pricing and offers paid advisory and operational modules.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2023
- HeadquartersWauwatosa, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Beverage Federation does
Beverage Federation is a business-to-business group purchasing organization (GPO) and member-based marketplace serving independent craft beverage producers. Founded in 2023 by Dan Klasen in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, the company aggregates purchasing volume across craft breweries, distilleries, and related producers to negotiate preferred pricing with a network of more than 300 suppliers and 150 supply partners. The platform reports more than 1,000 active members, with named customers including Lakefront Brewery, Broken Bat Brewery, Tortuga Brewing, Third Space Brewing, and North Star Brewery. Beyond its craft beer core, the company has signaled expansion into adjacent beverage verticals including ready-to-drink (RTD), non-alcoholic (NA), THC-infused, and hemp beverages.
The marketplace is built on Shopify infrastructure and includes a multi-supplier cart, a savings dashboard, and benchmarking tools. Product offerings span a free membership tier, a paid "Craft+" tier priced at $300 per year, and several add-on modules: the Champions Program (a performance-based advisory offering under which Beverage Federation captures a share of realized member savings), a Food Program operated in partnership with Sysco, a Contracting & Co-Packing Directory, and Services & Strategy packages. The company also distributes an AI-assisted label design product, LabelDesign.AI, offered as a partner service rather than an in-house build. Named leadership consists of founder Dan Klasen, CTO Paul Plakut, and marketing lead Chris Overlay.
Beverage Federation is privately held, bootstrapped, and operates with a team of 1–10 employees. The business model combines subscription fees (Craft+), performance-based fees (Champions), supplier-side economics on transacted volume, and revenue share from partner programs. Revenue is not disclosed publicly. The company's strategic posture is to evolve from a single-product procurement tool into a multi-module operational platform serving the broader independent beverage industry.
Beverage Federation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Beverage Federation
- Legal name
- Beverage Federation
- Website
- https://beveragefederation.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2023
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Beverage Federation is a B2B group purchasing organization and marketplace serving independent craft beverage producers. Founded in 2023, it aggregates buying volume across 1,000+ members to negotiate preferred supplier pricing and offers paid advisory and operational modules.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Beverage Federation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- B2B Group Purchasing Marketplace
- NAICS
- Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers (424810), Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (42482)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Bar, Restaurant & On-Premise Beverage Supply Wholesale (AFAIAGAI)
Keywords
Where Beverage Federation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Wauwatosa
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Beverage Federation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations
Revenue model
- Membership Fees: Free tier provides basic marketplace access; Craft+ annual membership at $300/year unlocks enhanced savings (5-15%), dedicated account manager, and priority supplier programs. Champions Program offers additional value-added services.
- Champions Program Performance Fees: Performance-based fees: Flat-fee plan charges 25% of projected annual savings (paid once), or pay-as-you-go charges 30% of actual savings realized quarterly. Both include savings guarantee.
- Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) Pricing: Aggregated buying power generates volume discounts negotiated with suppliers; members access contracted pricing not available to individual buyers. Rebate tracking and volume discounts on participating products.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free Membership - Basic marketplace access |
| Subscription | Annual | Craft+ Annual Membership - Enhanced savings tier |
| Outcome Based/ Performance | Pay-as-you-go | Champions Program - Performance-based savings |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Beverage Federation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Beverage Federation operates a B2B group purchasing marketplace connecting craft beverage producers (breweries, wineries, distilleries, cideries, RTD/NA/THC brands) with 300+ vetted suppliers, enabling aggregated buying power for volume pricing. The platform offers tiered memberships (Free and Craft+ at $300/year) plus a performance-based Champions Program, delivering 7-15% average member savings across ingredients, packaging, equipment, taproom, and food program categories.
Product overview
Beverage Federation operates a B2B group purchasing and marketplace platform for the craft beverage industry. The core offering is the Marketplace platform (hosted on Shopify), which connects breweries, wineries, distilleries, cideries, and RTD/NA/THC/Hemp brands with 300+ vetted suppliers through tiered membership plans (Free, Craft+ at $300/year). The platform aggregates purchasing volume to secure 7%-15% average member savings, with premium Champions Program members achieving $25,000+ annual savings. Supporting modules include the Food Program (negotiated food distributor pricing), Contracting & Co-Packing Directory, Services & Strategy partner network, and Events program. Product catalog spans ingredients (hops, yeast, fruit purees), packaging/labels, equipment, taproom supplies, and merch/branding. The platform serves 1,000+ active member producers and 150+ supply partners.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Beverage Federation Marketplace A B2B e-commerce marketplace connecting craft beverage producers (breweries, wineries, distilleries, cideries, RTD/NA/THC brands) with 300+ vetted suppliers for purchasing supplies at group-negotiated pricing through a single unified cart.
- Free Membership Entry-level membership tier offering marketplace access, supplier directory browsing, and the ability to place orders with 3%-10% average savings or $1,000+ in potential Year 1 savings, without any credit card requirement.
- Craft+ Membership Premium annual membership at $300/year providing a dedicated account manager, enhanced savings of 5%-15% on average (or $2,000+ in Year 1), priority supplier programs, and an exclusive savings tracker dashboard.
- Champions Program Performance-based shared savings program delivering 10%-25% average savings or $25,000+ annually through customized savings goals, an exclusive savings tracker dashboard, and referral-based rewards for members who help others join. Pricing is 25% of projected annual savings (flat-fee) or 30% of actual savings billed quarterly (pay-as-you-go), with a savings guarantee.
- Food Program A food sourcing program helping taprooms, brewpubs, and restaurants access negotiated pricing from major food distributors (Sysco, US Foods, PFG, Shamrock, GFS) with side-by-side pricing analysis and potential 5%-15% savings on food spend.
- Contracting & Co-Packing Directory Directory connecting craft beverage brands with vetted contract brewing, distilling, canning, and co-packing facilities across the United States for production scaling.
- Services & Strategy Network Curated network of industry professionals offering legal, HR, insurance, accounting, marketing, design, freight/logistics, equipment financing, and training services specific to craft beverage businesses.
Quantifiable outcome
- Members save 7-15% on average on supplies already being purchased
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Beverage Federation
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Beverage Federation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Beverage Federation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- SyscocoreMajor food distributor partnership enabling Food Program with negotiated pricing on food/kitchen supplies for taprooms and brewpubs. Members access Sysco contract pricing through the Federation.
- ABM EquipmentminorEquipment supplier providing brewery equipment through the marketplace platform.
- ABS CommercialminorCommercial brewery equipment supplier featured in marketplace catalog.
- Acorn GeneticsminorLab and QA equipment/services supplier for beverage quality control testing.
- AmorettiminorFlavor extracts and ingredients supplier with 467 products in the marketplace catalog.
- AstraPouchminorFlexible packaging supplier for growlers and bag-in-box beverage packaging solutions.
- GS Draft System SolutionsminorDraft system components including CO2 crowler purge towers and related equipment.
- InTouch Labels & PackagingminorCustom label and keg collar printing with digital printing technology; no minimums, 3-day turnaround.
- Knotty PretzelsminorSnack supplier providing pretzels for taprooms and events.
- LabelDesign.AIminorAI-powered label design service combining artificial intelligence with human creativity; 2-3 day turnaround.
- LallemandminorBrewing yeast and fermentation solutions supplier; 25 products in catalog.
- SIS BrewminorCleaning chemicals and sanitation products for breweries and food processing.
- The Barrel MillminorOak barrel and barrel aging solutions for breweries and distilleries.
- TN CoopersminorCooperage services and barrel solutions.
- Two Track MaltingminorCraft malt supplier with 15 products in catalog.
- Von Hanson's SnacksminorSnack supplier providing pretzels and other taproom snacks.
- Western SquareminorBarrel racks and storage equipment manufacturer.
- WHC LabminorFermentation solutions and brewing ingredients including specialty yeast.
- Yakima Valley HopsminorHop supplier with 40 products including Mosaic and other premium hop varieties.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Beverage Federation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Tundra: B2B wholesale marketplace with no minimum order quantities, enabling SMB buyers to access bulk pricing from brand-name suppliers. Operates a similar marketplace playbook to BF - aggregating demand to unlock volume discounts - but spans general categories rather than focusing on craft beverage.
- Faire: B2B wholesale marketplace connecting independent retailers with brands and suppliers. Comparable to BF as a marketplace aggregator enabling small buyers to access negotiated pricing from vetted suppliers, though operating in retail rather than beverage production.
- Ankorstore: European B2B wholesale marketplace connecting independent retailers and hospitality operators with brands. Comparable to BF as a marketplace intermediary that uses net terms and aggregated demand to offer better pricing to small buyers, though primarily European and retail-oriented.
Direct peers
- Choco: B2B ordering platform that digitizes ordering between food and beverage wholesalers and their customers (restaurants and retailers). Comparable to BF as a procurement digitization layer that sits between fragmented buyers and established suppliers, with similar aim of reducing friction in catalog, ordering, and invoicing.
- Cut+Dry (formerly BlueCart): Restaurant and food-service procurement platform connecting operators with food distributors via ordering, invoicing, and price comparison. Comparable to Beverage Federation's Food Program in particular, sharing the playbook of digitizing fragmented procurement between small operators and large distributors like Sysco and US Foods.
- Crafty: B2B procurement and inventory platform for bars, restaurants, and cannabis operators. Closest direct analog to Beverage Federation in business model - aggregating purchasing across vendors to deliver pricing and operational benefits to operators - though Crafty focuses on on-premise operators rather than beverage producers.
Others
- BSG Craftbrewing (Brewers Supply Group): Major direct supplier of brewing ingredients, equipment, and packaging to craft brewers in North America. Operates upstream of BF as a producer supplier and is currently a marketplace partner; it represents a structural alternative to BF's GPO model if brewers choose to source directly.
- Country Malt Group: Direct supplier of malt, grains, hops, and adjuncts to craft brewers and distillers. Functions as a direct-purchase alternative to BF's marketplace for ingredient sourcing, and operates as a partner on the BF platform as well.
- Yakima Chief Hops: Direct hop supplier owned by a cooperative of hop growers, supplying craft and large brewers globally. Sells through the BF marketplace (40 SKUs listed) but also maintains direct sales relationships that compete with BF's aggregated pricing.
- Lallemand Brewing: Global supplier of brewing yeasts, bacteria, and fermentation solutions to breweries of all sizes. A partner supplier on BF's marketplace (25 products) but also a direct seller, illustrating the supplier-vs-marketplace dynamic that shapes BF's economics.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Beverage Federation social profiles
Digital presenceBeverage Federation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Beverage Federation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Beverage Federation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Beverage Federation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Beverage Federation
What does Beverage Federation do?
Beverage Federation operates a B2B group purchasing marketplace connecting craft beverage producers (breweries, wineries, distilleries, cideries, RTD/NA/THC brands) with 300+ vetted suppliers, enabling aggregated buying power for volume pricing. The platform offers tiered memberships (Free and Craft+ at $300/year) plus a performance-based Champions Program, delivering 7-15% average member savings across ingredients, packaging, equipment, taproom, and food program categories.
Is Beverage Federation a public or private company?
Beverage Federation is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Beverage Federation founded?
Beverage Federation was founded in 2023. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Beverage Federation based?
Beverage Federation is headquartered in Wauwatosa, United States, in the North America region.
How does Beverage Federation make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are champions Program Performance Fees and group Purchasing Organization (GPO) Pricing.
Who are Beverage Federation's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Tundra, Faire and Ankorstore. Direct peers are Choco, Cut+Dry (formerly BlueCart) and Crafty. Others are BSG Craftbrewing (Brewers Supply Group), Country Malt Group, Yakima Chief Hops and Lallemand Brewing.
Does Beverage Federation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Beverage Federation.
What industry is Beverage Federation in?
Beverage Federation's product category is B2B Group Purchasing Marketplace. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAIAGAI, Bar, Restaurant & On-Premise Beverage Supply Wholesale. Its NAICS code is 424810 and its SIC code is 5180.