Salt Life Launches Branded Craft Beer Line

GREENVILLE, S.C., March 13, 2018 -- Delta Apparel, Inc. (NYSE American:DLA), a leading provider of basic and branded apparel, headwear and related accessories, today announced that Salt Life, LLC, its wholly-owned subsidiary, has acquired a majority interest in a new joint venture to develop and market a line of Salt Life-branded craft beer.

The new joint venture, formed with an entity owned by Richard Thompson, an original founder of the Salt Life brand, and Greg Tuttle, an award-winning craft brewer, will develop, produce and market beer for consumers living and dreaming of the Salt Life. Product is expected to be available in the Florida market this fall, and to expand geographically over time as Salt Life apparel and accessories continue to gain market penetration. 

Robert W. Humphreys, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Delta Apparel, Inc., commented, “We are extremely excited about this further extension of the Salt Life brand. Consumer recognition of Salt Life continues to grow exponentially across the US and Caribbean markets. Our consumers consistently tell us they want more Salt Life-branded products, and beer is often their beverage of choice while living the Salt Life. The growth of our apparel through all channels of distribution combined with the popularity of Salt Life-branded restaurants gives us a natural platform for this new product and marketing initiative to leverage the Salt Life brand.”

Jeff Stillwell, President of Salt Life, LLC, commented, “I’m looking forward to working with Richard and Greg to develop this new product category for the Salt Life brand. Our consumers embrace the Salt Life lifestyle and are hungry for new product categories. Salt Life beer should be the perfect new offering to celebrate the brand’s fifteenth year anniversary in 2018.” 

About Salt Life

Salt Life is an authentic, aspirational and lifestyle brand that embraces those who love the ocean and everything associated with living the “Salt Life.” Founded in 2003 by four avid watermen from Jacksonville Beach, Florida, the Salt Life brand has widespread appeal with ocean enthusiasts worldwide. From fishing, diving and surfing, to beach fun and sun-soaked relaxation, the Salt Life brand says “I live the Salt Life.” Numerous professional athletes and sportsmen have an alliance with the brand through cross-marketing partnerships. (http://www.saltlife.com/athletes/). From its first merchandise offerings in 2006, Salt Life has grown with distribution in surf shops, specialty stores, department stores and sporting goods retailers. Salt Life products are also available to consumers at www.saltlife.com and at Salt Life’s various branded retail stores.

Salt Life, LLC is an operating subsidiary of Delta Apparel, Inc. (NYSE American: DLA). Salt Life's corporate office is located in Columbus, Georgia, and its distribution center was recently relocated to Fayetteville, North Carolina.

About Delta Apparel, Inc.

Delta Apparel, Inc., along with its operating subsidiaries, M. J. Soffe, LLC, Salt Life, LLC and Art Gun, LLC, is an international design, marketing, manufacturing, and sourcing company that features a diverse portfolio of lifestyle basic and branded activewear apparel, headwear and related accessories. The Company specializes in selling casual and athletic products across distribution tiers, including specialty stores, boutiques, department stores, mid-tier and mass chains, and the U.S. military. The Company’s products are also made available direct-to-consumer on its websites at www.saltlife.com, www.coastapparel.com, www.soffe.com and www.deltaapparel.com. The Company's operations are located throughout the United States, Honduras, El Salvador, and Mexico, and it employs approximately 7,500 people worldwide. Additional information about the Company is available at www.deltaapparelinc.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking” statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Any number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated or forecasted results, including, but not limited to, the factors set forth in the "Risk Factors" contained in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as may be required by law, Delta Apparel, Inc. expressly disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Company Contact:
Deborah Merrill
Chief Financial Officer
(864) 232-5200 x6620

Investor Relations Contact:
Sally Wallick, CFA
(404) 806-1398
investor[email protected]