Our History

With a rented truck, a converted roller skating rink for a warehouse, and a tiny portfolio of brands, the company’s founder, 24-year-old Lynn Johnson, hit the streets as a one-man operation. He’d take orders during the day, load the truck at night, and make the deliveries the next day himself.

His remarkable work ethic and commitment to superior customer service helped the family-owned and operated company grow into one of the top beverage distributorships in the country. While the company’s focus in the early days was on selling spirits, it soon expanded into the emerging wine category.

Other innovations occurred along the way. Johnson Brothers became one of the nation’s first wine and spirits distributors to employ an exclusive on-premise sales force to service its bar and restaurant customers.

Johnson Brothers can also trace its roots to the beer business. In the 1960s, the company helped build Hamm’s Beer into one of the most popular and iconic beers through its St. Paul, Minnesota Beer Distributorship. The commitment to the beer business continues today, as Johnson Brothers is proud to represent some of the most sought-after and top-selling beers in the industry.

The non-alcoholic business has also played an important role in the company’s history. We distribute some of the best non-alcoholic beverages in the world, including energy drinks and mixers.

Today, Johnson Brothers is still family-owned and one of the leading wine, spirits, and beer distributors. It provides world-class service to customers and operates in 17 states with more than 4,000 team members.