Our History

The year was 1933, and Prohibition came to a close as a failed experiment. Breweries that had survived by producing candy, soda pop, and near beer (non-alcoholic) could now return to brewing beer and ale. As production resumed, there was a growing demand for companies to deliver kegs and cases to local taverns, clubs, and homes throughout nearby communities. The Vecenie family opened their doors in the borough of Millvale in April of 1933 as one of the first beer distributors in Pennsylvania after Prohibition, delivering local brands to the surrounding community.

In 1936, the company survived the St. Patrick’s Day flood that devastated Millvale and the city of Pittsburgh. In the late 1940s, a fire destroyed the building that housed Vecenie Distributing. In 1950, a brand-new building was erected, providing the company with its first wholesale brand opportunity.

In the early 1950s, Erie Brewing Company signed on with Vecenie Distributing to represent their Koehler Beer Brands throughout the North Hills and North Side of Pittsburgh. The brand became a local favorite until the brewery’s closure in the late 1970s. Over the next 20 years, several other regional and local breweries chose Vecenie Distributing to represent them.

In 1987, the Stoudts family opened Pennsylvania’s first operational craft brewery in Lancaster County. Stoudts Beer became our first entry into the world of craft beer (referred to as microbreweries at that time).

Selling unpasteurized draft beer in 750ml champagne bottles proved to be both educational and enlightening. Soon, other Pennsylvania breweries would look to Vecenie Distributing Company to represent their brands—Victory, Tröegs, Lancaster, and Erie Brewing, to name a few. Local breweries such as East End and North Country also joined our portfolio, along with breweries from further points like Bell’s and Stone

We have also added some international breweries including Czechvar, Hacker-Pschorr, Asahi, and Fuller’s. A full listing of our breweries is available on this site.

In the spring of 2025, we were pleased to reintroduce an iconic brand of Pittsburgh’s brewing history. Duquesne Pilsener is now a local favorite lager beer and a proud addition to our list of world-class brands.

Now, beyond our 90th year, we continue to offer Western Pennsylvania a selection of the world’s finest ales, lagers, and specialty sodas.

Cheers!