Left Hand Brewing Co., Longmont, Colo., announced its expansion into western Pennsylvania. Beginning May 5, Left Hand will be available in the greater Pittsburgh market through a distribution partnership with Pittsburgh-based Frank B. Fuhrer Wholesale Co.

The new market will be an extension of Left Hand’s presence in Philadelphia and eastern Pennsylvania. “Having managed sales in the Mid-Atlantic region for years, I am psyched to finally bring Left Hand beer to western Pennsylvania,” said Sales Representative Dan Conway in a statement. “The growing momentum of the brewery allows me to turn my focus exclusively to my home state of Pennsylvania. I've been contacted by so many fans and friends over the years, and now I can finally say with authority that we're here.”

Fuhrer Wholesale will distribute Left Hand’s perennial line; its Nitro series, which features Milk Stout & Milk Stout Nitro, Sawtooth Ale and Sawtooth Nitro; Pound Monkey IPA; Black Jack Porter; Polestar Pilsner; Stranger Pale Ale; and Left Hand’s variety pack, Mountain Mixer. The craft beer company will celebrate this expanded distribution with a series of launch events in the Pittsburgh area during the first week of May.

Left Hand Brewing Co. ranked 38th in volume for the craft beer industry in 2013, following a 32 percent barrelage increase to 65,879 barrels produced in the term, it says. With similar production expansion in recent years, Left Hand has added distribution in upstate New York, Maryland and Washington, D.C. It also has plans to enter Iowa in the fall and is researching potential California distribution. The brewery is on pace to brew 85,000 barrels this year, it adds.