The Brown History

The company’s origins began over 90 years ago, when in 1915 brothers Abraham and Isador Brown, both immigrants from Eastern Europe, started a bottling business.  So, a small family business was born in Hopewell, Virginia, and quickly relocated to Richmond, Virginia.  In the early 1920’s, Pepsi Cola, was added to their line of flavors and the business continued to grow and expand. 

In 1935, Mr. Busch, known as Gussy to his friends, was working his way around the country building his distribution system in anticipation of the repeal of prohibition.  He met Abe Brown at the old railroad station in Richmond and the rest is part of the history, and, the future.

In the early 1940’s, the brothers, Abe and Izzy, split their business.  Izzy and his son-in-law, Norman Sisisky operated the southern portion of the geography, which became based in Petersburg VA.  While Abe and his son, Jake Brown, operated the northern part of the geography which became based in Richmond VA.

In the early 50s’, the beer business, which became Brown Distributing Company, separated from the Pepsi business and opened its own facilities.  In 1975, Jake’s son, Larry, joined the business and quickly worked to modernize the operation.

In 1984, Brown Distributing Company acquired an Anheuser-Busch franchise in Palm Beach County, Florida.  In 1986, Brown Distributing Company celebrated 50 years of distributing Anheuser-Busch products.  The WPB facility was very old and outdated so, together with business partner Buddy Clarke, Larry Brown built a new facility in 1987.

In 1999 Larry’s son, Jason Brown joined the business.  He learned the business from the ground up – working as a salesmen, supervisor, and then manager, and in 2004 became the General Manager in charge of daily operations for Brown Distributing Company of West Palm Beach.  The West Palm Beach operation now employs over 150 employees and has a fleet of 42 trucks.

In early 2006, Brown Distributing Company of West Palm Beach Florida added a non-alcohol brand portfolio including teas, waters, energy and coffee drinks.  Consumers are changing and require more choices.  So, here we are today.  Our product portfolio is expanding in both the beer category and the non-alcoholic segment at a rapid pace.  Brown Distributing Company added a Spirits portfolio in 2008.