O & W Inc. proud to continue time-honored tradition supporting local charitable organizations

November 28, 2023

Independent, family-owned beer distributor’s contributions latest example of giving back to communities it proudly serves




YPSILANTI, Mich. — Local independent, family-owned beer distributor O & W Inc. today announced several donations to local charities in honor of Giving Tuesday, a global generosity movement inspiring people and organizations to transform their communities. The contributions are the latest example of O & W Inc. creating a spirit of unity in the places they are proud to live, work, and serve.

 

“At O & W Inc., our family and employees have been passionately delivering beer and cheer since 1933,” said Kit Wanty-Lambert, president of O & W Inc. “We are an employee-first organization that prides itself on providing value to our retail customers, suppliers, and business partners, many of whom have supported our business and helped us grow over the years. Being actively involved in our local communities is part of our legacy and one way we are proud to give back and say thank you.”

 

Michigan’s beer and wine distributors are leaders in charitable giving throughout the state. O & W Inc. has time-honored partnerships with many local organizations that support and promote health care and wellness, hunger relief, children and youth, and much more. This year, the beer distributor is thrilled to donate the following for Giving Tuesday:

 

 

“We are proud to call these organizations neighbors and partners in helping to improve our local communities,” Wanty-Lambert said. “We look forward to many more years of enriching the places we service through charitable giving and strengthening cherished relationships with those who work hard to make a difference in our communities.”

 

Founded in 1933, O & W Inc. is a fifth-generation, family-owned beer distributor located central to its selling territory in Ypsilanti Township with a seven-county footprint in Southeast Michigan. It employs over 180 people and continues to build on its legacy of community involvement and social responsibility while keeping customers and employees at the forefront of all they do.

Detroit News: Celebrating Michigan’s Family-Owned Beer and Wine Distributors

By Rebecca Stow • June 23, 2026
On June 23, National Family-Owned and Operated Businesses Day offers an opportunity to recognize the local companies that form the backbone of Michigan’s economy. Among them are the state’s beer and wine distributors—independent, family-owned businesses that have been serving their communities for decades. These are multigenerational operations rooted in Michigan communities, where leadership is often passed from one generation to the next. Their longevity reflects not only business success, but a deep commitment to the people and places they serve. When I began my work with the Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association two decades ago, the industry looked very different. Today, Michigan consumers enjoy an unprecedented variety of choices, supported by advanced logistics, compliance systems, and strong retail partnerships. That evolution has been driven in large part by family-owned distributors who continue to invest in their people, infrastructure and communities. Their local ownership gives them a unique understanding of the retailers and consumers they serve. It also means decisions are made with a long-term perspective—focused not just on growth, but on sustainability and community impact. Thoughtful alcohol policy helps ensure a fair and competitive marketplace, protects public health and safety, and allows businesses of all sizes to thrive. By maintaining strong relationships with lawmakers and industry partners, Michigan’s beer and wine distributors have helped modernize laws while preserving the structure and accountability of the proven three-tier system. As we recognize family-owned businesses across the state this June, it is worth celebrating the role Michigan’s beer and wine distributors have played for decades and will continue to play in the years ahead. Their strength lies not only in their ability to adapt, but in the values that have guided them from the beginning: local ownership, strong relationships, and a commitment to doing business the right way. Spencer Nevins is president of the Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association in Lansing.

Mid-Michigan beer distributor celebrates 65 years in business, three generations of family leadership

By Rebecca Stow • May 4, 2026
OWOSSO, Mich. – Main Beverage Company marks 65 years in business this year, celebrating three generations of family leadership and a legacy rooted in mid-Michigan.

Ypsilanti beer distributor partners on limited-edition release for Ann Arbor Summer Festival

By Rebecca Stow • April 14, 2026
YPSILANTI, Mich. – Local, family-owned beer distributor O&W Inc. in Ypsilanti is celebrating its collaboration with Michigan-based Griffin Claw Brewing Company to develop a limited-edition Session IPA for the upcoming Ann Arbor Summer Festival (A2SF).