The News
Real American Beer (RAB) is expanding into Iowa, where wrestling is a generational tradition, as part of its partnership with the Real American Freestyle (RAF) league. The expansion follows RAB’s strategy to align with local cultural identities, particularly those rooted in wrestling. Chad Bronstein, co-founder of RAF, emphasized that the brand's presence in Iowa supports the state's deep connection to wrestling.
The Takeaway
- Wrestling Culture Connection: Real American Beer is leveraging its partnership with Real American Freestyle, a freestyle wrestling league, by entering Iowa where wrestling is deeply embedded in the community and high school culture. This aligns with the brand’s strategy of connecting with local traditions that resonate with their audience.
- Strategic Market Entry: The expansion into Iowa reflects a calculated move to tap into a market where the brand's values—authenticity, tradition, and grassroots appeal—are already present. By entering a state like Iowa, Real American Beer is positioning itself as part of the cultural fabric rather than just an outsider trying to sell beer.
- National Exposure Through Sports: The partnership with Real American Freestyle has generated massive social media engagement, including 200 billion impressions in just a few events. This exposure helps Real American Beer reach a broader audience while reinforcing its identity as a brand that supports and celebrates underdog sports culture.
Original Press Release
Iowa expansion deepens Real American Beer’s connection to wrestling culture as the brand continues its rapid national growth.
TAMPA, FL (March 16, 2026) — Real American Beer (RAB), one of the fastest-growing beer brands in the country, today announced its expansion into Iowa — a state with one of the deepest wrestling traditions in America. The move is a direct extension of the brand’s partnership with Real American Freestyle (RAF), the unscripted professional freestyle wrestling league where Real American Beer serves as the official beer.
Wrestling in Iowa is generational — embedded in high school gyms, college programs, and the identity of communities across the state. That cultural authenticity is exactly what RAB looks for when entering new markets, and it’s the same logic that drives the brand’s investment in Real American Freestyle.
“Wrestling isn’t just a sport in Iowa; it’s part of the state’s identity,” said Chad Bronstein, Co-Founder of Real American Freestyle. “Real American Freestyle was built to celebrate that culture and bring it to a national stage. Seeing Real American Beer expand into Iowa alongside the growth of the league is exactly the kind of momentum we’re building.”
Real American Freestyle has quickly become one of the most talked-about properties in combat sports. In just a handful of events, RAF has generated 200 billion impressions, with social clips regularly going viral across sports and social platforms globally. The league’s unscripted format, Olympic-level and MMA crossover athletes, and fight-night presentation have created a level of engagement that rivals major combat sports properties, giving Real American Beer a powerful national stage where fans experience the brand in real time. As RAF continues to grow, it is becoming both a cultural platform for wrestling and a demand engine for the beer.
“Iowa sits at the center of wrestling culture in America, and that audience is massive and incredibly loyal,” said Terri Francis, CEO of Real American Beer. “When you combine the energy of wrestling fans with a great American light beer and a distributor who knows how to win in this market, it creates a powerful platform for both the sport and the brand.”
As Real American Beer enters Iowa, retailers and distribution partners will be able to activate around a platform that combines live sports events, original media content, athlete storytelling, and in-market experiences designed to create meaningful consumer pull.
“In a wrestling state like Iowa, Real American Beer and Real American Freestyle create a story retailers understand and consumers can get excited about,” said Mason Lee, Managing Partner of 7G Distributing.
Real American Beer is available in 12 oz. 6-packs, 12-packs, and 24-packs, as well as 16 oz. LIGHT and ZERO. It is also available in kegs.
Global MMA champion and RAF athlete Colby “Chaos” Covington recently joined the brand as a long-term partner, bringing his fight-night energy to national marketing campaigns and retail activations.
Soon after, multi-platinum country rock artist Brantley Gilbert became an investor and equity partner in the company and helped launch RAB ZERO, the brand’s first non-alcoholic beer. The launch also introduced a national partnership with the USO, with $1 donated per case of RAB ZERO sold to support U.S. service members and their families.
Together, these initiatives reflect Real American Beer’s broader strategy: building a cultural platform that connects sports, music, retail, and live experiences while delivering a full-flavor American beer for the moments people still share.
Source: BevNET