Founder "Junie" Long eyed a career with American Tobacco Company, until doctors advised the World War II veteran to seek a new occupation. Junie had contracted Malaria during the Pacific campaign. In 1947 after his diagnosis he went to work for Durham Distributing Company (Schlitz) as the only driver/salesman. After only two years with the company he worked himself up to become half-owner.
In 1951, Long acquired the other half of the company and one of his first moves as sole owner to aid expansion was to hire another driver. Over the next three decades, Junie steadily grew the business into a family empire. Sons Rodney and Crockett purchased Durham Distributing Company from their father and putting their own mark on the business. Coors Brewing appointed the company as its wholesaler for Durham County and Orange County.
Another growth milestone was achieved in 1988 when Durham Distributing Company purchased Carey Wholesale, which distributed Coors and Schlitz. With a territory more than doubled, the company's moniker was changed to Long Beverage, Inc. The name change emphasized the company's new identity. The next year, a new 65,000 square feet central warehouse was established.
In 1989, Long Beverage was awarded the Corona Franchise and acquired Galanides Inc. The Raleigh, North Carolina-based Pabst Wholesaler handled a series of brands, including Pabst, Colt and a half-territory for Rolling Rock.
Long Beverage's expansion continued in 1996 with the acquisition of Triangle Beverage. The Durham, North Carolina-based company consolidated the Stroh's, Pabst, and Colt brands for entire market.
As growth continued into the 1990s and 2000s, Long Beverage in 2005 constructed a state-of-the-art, 105,000 square foot warehouse. Over 40,000 square feet was added in 2010. Constructed on a 22-acre site, the facility can expand to over 200,000 square feet.