Retail | Wholesale | Food | Beverage 2023: REID A. BROWN

What began in 1919 as a bottling operation for cherry cola is now a major beverage-distribution business delivering more than 5 million cases of domestic and craft beers, ciders, seltzers and nonalcoholic beverages annually.

Reid Brown is among the fourth generation to run Brown Distributing, joining the family business in 2006. His brother, Jason Brown, who came on board in 1999, serves as vice president.

The company has more than 200 employees and serves more than 3,000 retailers throughout Virginia.

Richmond-area nonprofits have benefited from Brown Distributing over the years through direct contributions and event sponsorships. In late 2021, two foundations affiliated with the business donated $1 million to the University of Richmond’s Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative, which offers entrepreneurial education to non-business majors.

Brown has been an active player on the beer and brewery scene, helping create the Richmond Beer Elite group, providing an online forum for the local beer community, including competitive distributors and breweries. The company acquired craft beer distribution companies in Virginia and Florida in 2009.