A company that buys beer from a brewer or importer and sells it to retailers would be known as which of the following?

A company that buys beer from a brewer or importer and sells it to retailers is classified as a wholesaler. Wholesalers act as intermediaries in the distribution chain between manufacturers (brewers or importers) and retailers (who sell directly to consumers). They purchase goods in larger quantities, allowing them to obtain a better price which they then sell in smaller quantities to retailers. This system allows retailers to keep lower inventory levels and provides them access to a wider variety of products than they might be able to source directly from manufacturers.

In contrast, consumers are the end-users of the product, manufacturers are those who produce the beer, and retailers are the businesses that sell directly to consumers. Understanding these roles in the beverage distribution system is key to grasping the logistics of how beer reaches the final customer.