Respected Chicago Craft Beer Stalwart Wesley Phillips Joins Off-Trail Collective

Larkspur, CO – Wesley Phillips, a 16-year veteran of the vibrant Chicago craft beer business has joined upstart Off-Trail Collective. Phillips comes to Off-Trail after 14 years with Reyes Beverage Group-owned Windy City Distribution where he served as Director of Business Development. Having had the career-defining opportunity to develop and manage breweries like Allagash, Bosteels, Half Acre, Lagunitas, and Three Floyds, Phillips is excited to join Off-Trail founders Sean Knoll and Lanny Hoff to explore new avenues in the evolving world of craft beer.

Phillips says, “I’ve worked for many years with Lanny and Sean, and I clearly recognized their incomparable expertise and dynamic approach. I’m excited to partner with two like-minded industry veterans. Off-Trail provides a unique opportunity to positively impact a rapidly evolving beer market across the U.S., both for suppliers and wholesalers."

Launched in early 2019, the Off-Trail Collective was formed by long-time importers Sean Knoll and Lanny Hoff to connect craft brewers with distributors in new markets via limited releases on a pulsed schedule, with a focus on keeping beer fresh and new for consumers, retailers, and wholesalers. Phillips's experience in craft distribution rounds out the management team at Off-Trail.

"Sean and I worked very closely with Wes at Windy City and have the highest respect for his experience and knowledge,” says Lanny Hoff, Off-Trail co-founder. "Wes’ skill set as a distributor manager complements ours as suppliers, and his knowledge of the market and top brands is unequaled. I think he'll bring a fantastic energy and valuable insight. I look forward to offering our brewers and wholesalers the benefit of his experience."

Currently, the Off-Trail Collective is active with six producers and thirteen distributors in nine states with new suppliers, distributors, and states pending.

Are you a producer or distributor of craft beverages ready to get out of the box and go Off-Trail? We’re looking for partners! Contact Lanny Hoff at +1 (612) 245-5433 or by email at [email protected].

About the Off-Trail Collective: Founded in February of 2019 by Sean Knoll and Lanny Hoff, 25-year beer importing professionals, Off-Trail partners with Member Producers and Distributors to offer streamlined, flexible, and realistic distribution opportunities. Producers gain access to new sales territories, extending their marketing reach and enjoying incremental sales at no cost. Distributors receive a curated, quality portfolio of new and exciting craft beverages without out-sized obligation or commitment. Off-Trail makes it easy for everyone in the distribution chain to have access to new brands with minimal complication, maximizing exposure for Member Producers and selling opportunities for Member Distributors.