50 Years of Family, Experience & Excellence

Gulf Distributing is a family-owned and operated full-service beverage distributor distributing across Alabama, 10 counties in the Florida panhandle, and 19 counties in southern and central Mississippi. Founded by Freida G. Maisel in 1973, Gulf has grown from just 15 employees and three brands, to now well over 1,200 employees representing over 100 suppliers and over 1,000 different beverage brands.

Gulf prides itself on providing best-in-class service to our retail customers while executing at the highest levels to build beverage brands on behalf of our valued supplier partners. We hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards as we prepare to pursue another five-plus decades of exceptional service and partnership. To that end, we are constantly reinvesting in our technology, trucks, warehouses, and, most importantly, our people.

OUR STORY

1973

A Business is Born

Back in 1973, gas was 39 cents per gallon and a six-pack would cost you $2.11. It was also the year that Freida G. Maisel left her tenure as a middle school English teacher and purchased a struggling beer distributorship. And with that, Gulf Distributing Company was founded in Mobile, Alabama.

Gulf Distributing Company old logo
Photo collage
1977

Make It A Million

In a truly momentous year, Gulf reached a new milestone by selling a staggering 1 million cases. This remarkable achievement reflected Gulf’s unwavering commitment to excellence in the beverage industry.

Photo collage
1978

Miller Masters

Gulf wins the “Miller Masters”, the first of many! The Miller Masters Award was the highest award a distributor could receive from Miller Brewing Company. The highly coveted honor was bestowed annually to a Distributor that displayed excellence in execution over their peers.

1984

Coors Crosses the River

Freida Maisel brings Coors beer across the Mississippi River to Mobile, Alabama.

Photo collage
2000

Red Bull Partnership

Gulf partners with Red Bull North America, bringing the first energy beverage to Alabama.

Red Bull can
2001

Bringing Energy to Mississippi

Energy Beverage Company opens in Mississippi.

Energy Beverage Management llc logo
Photo collage
2001

Goldring Merger

Goldring Gulf Distributing, LLC was formed in July of 2001 with the merger of Gulf Distributing Company of Florida LLC and N. Goldring.

Goldring Gulf Distributing logo
2009

Allstate Beverage Company Merger

Allstate Beverage Company, LLC of Montgomery, Alabama became a subsidiary of Gulf Distributing Holdings, LLC on January 1, 2009. The merger of these companies created a dynamic beverage distribution enterprise with personnel who want to grow their knowledge and talents.

Allstate Beverage Company logo
Photo collage
2017

Birmingham Territory Acquired

Gulf Distributing of Birmingham is formed, and through a merger with the Schilleci family of Birmingham, the Birmingham and Tuscaloosa territories are added.

Photo collage
2019

Liquor Time

Gulf adds its first liquor product to the portfolio by bringing on Murder Creek brands at Goldring Gulf in Florida.

2020

Gulf Distributing of Alabama is Formed

Gulf adds Huntsville and surrounding counties in North Alabama to its territory and the Schilleci family joins Gulf Distributing Holdings as our partners.

Photo collage
2023

Look Who's Fifty!

Nifty, nifty, look who’s fifty! Gulf celebrates its 50th year.

Photo collage

OUR STORY

1973

A Business is Born

Back in 1973, gas was 39 cents per gallon and a six-pack would cost you $2.11. It was also the year that Freida G. Maisel left her tenure as a middle school English teacher and purchased a struggling beer distributorship. And with that, Gulf Distributing Company was founded in Mobile, Alabama.

1977

Make It A Million

In a truly momentous year, Gulf reached a new milestone by selling a staggering 1 million cases. This remarkable achievement reflected Gulf’s unwavering commitment to excellence in the beverage industry.

1978

Miller Masters

Gulf wins the “Miller Masters”, the first of many! The Miller Masters Award was the highest award a distributor could receive from Miller Brewing Company. The highly coveted honor was bestowed annually to a Distributor that displayed excellence in execution over their peers.

1984

Coors Crosses the River

Freida Maisel brings Coors beer across the Mississippi River to Mobile, Alabama.

2000

Red Bull Partnership

Gulf partners with Red Bull North America, bringing the first energy beverage to Alabama.

2001

Bringing Energy to Mississippi

Energy Beverage Company opens in Mississippi.

2001

Goldring Merger

Goldring Gulf Distributing, LLC was formed in July of 2001 with the merger of Gulf Distributing Company of Florida LLC and N. Goldring.

2009

Allstate Beverage Company Merger

Allstate Beverage Company, LLC of Montgomery, Alabama became a subsidiary of Gulf Distributing Holdings, LLC on January 1, 2009. The merger of these companies created a dynamic beverage distribution enterprise with personnel who want to grow their knowledge and talents.

2017

Birmingham Territory Acquired

Gulf Distributing of Birmingham is formed, and through a merger with the Schilleci family of Birmingham, the Birmingham and Tuscaloosa territories are added.

2019

Liquor Time

Gulf adds its first liquor product to the portfolio by bringing on Murder Creek brands at Goldring Gulf in Florida.

2020

Gulf Distributing of Alabama is Formed

Gulf adds Huntsville and surrounding counties in North Alabama to its territory and the Schilleci family joins Gulf Distributing Holdings as our partners.

2023

Look Who's Fifty!

Nifty, nifty, look who’s fifty! Gulf celebrates its 50th year.

The Legacy Continues

Through the generations, Gulf Distributing has become synonymous with quality, award-winning service, community involvement, and the wide selection of products now available to consumers in the region. With pride in its history and warm culture, Gulf will continue to be a place where people can blaze their own trail.
Just like Freida.

Our Values

Gulf Distributing icons
Community icon

COMMUNITY

We commit to having a positive impact on ALL in the communities we serve

Future focused icon

FUTURE FOCUSED

We keep an eye towards the future, ensuring relevance for generations to come

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INTEGRITY & PRIDE

We act in a way that promotes pride in everything we do

People icon

PEOPLE

We, the employees of Gulf, are fundamental to our success

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PARTNERSHIPS

We build long-lasting relationships at all levels that move our company, and our partners, forward

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RESULTS

We deliver with best-in-class execution and are known for our results orientation

Vintage photo of two men
Snowie shaved ice truck
Mitchell College of Business group photo
Group photo
Staff with Corona promo
Cardboard cutouts of mariachi band
Beer tent
Vintage group photo
Women holding menu