Beer Industry News, Insights, Jobs, & Events
Revised Craft Production Data; Plus, Chats with Victory and Odell
Was craft brewers’ 2025 less bad than we thought? The Brewers Association issued a revision to its annual production report. We’ll cover that, plus, interviews with Victory Brewing co-founder Bill Covaleski and director of brewing operations Joe Slavick, as well as Odell Brewing CEO Eric “Smitty” Smith.
Spirits & Beer Led YoY Declines at Start of Memorial Day Weekend, per NIQ Weekly Scans
Bev-alc trends remained consistent leading up to Memorial Day, as single-digit, year-over-year (YoY) declines persisted in the latest weekly scans report from market research firm NIQ.
Press Clips: Blake’s Hires Beer Vet as CSO; Lone Tree Partners With Elite Brands; Long Trail Releases 168-Pack
Check out news items initially reported in the Brewbound Insider Newsletter June 1-3, including headlines from Blake’s Beverage, Lone Tree Brewing, Long Trail, Bero and more.
Draft Nearly 10% of 2025 Beer Volume, Highest Level Since COVID-19 Pandemic, per Beer Institute Packaging Mix Report
Draft continues to claw back the share of total beer it lost during the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting on-premise closures and consumer shifts.
Featured Jobs
Craft Battling Legacy Drag and Beer Consumer Tradedowns, per 3 Tier Beverages
Craft beer continues to battle against the narrative that the segment is dying. A core adversary in that mission is that the legacy brands that helped create the segment are the ones driving declines, according to new data shared by consulting firm 3 Tier Beverages.
Court: Boston Beer Owes Ardagh $191M in Aluminum Can Contract Dispute
A U.S. District Court has entered a $175.5 million amended final judgment – plus $15.5 million in pre-judgment interest – against Boston Beer Company for allegedly failing to purchase contracted minimums of aluminum cans from Ardagh Metal Packaging USA between 2021 and 2025, according to a June 1 8K filed by Boston Beer.
2025 Craft Volume Declined 4%, Not 5.1% as Previously Reported, per BA Correction
Small and independent craft brewers’ output declined 4% in 2025 – more than 25% less than was previously reported by the Brewers Association (BA). The BA issued a correction of its 2025 Beer Industry Production Survey (BIPS), which was published last month, after receiving “revised production figures for a small number of regional craft brewers,” a BA spokesperson said in a statement shared Tuesday with Brewbound.
Right Coast’s Italian Ice Heats Up at Retail, Kicks off 3rd Summer in 23 States
Entering its third summer, Right Coast Spirits’ Italian Ice is riding high. The ready-to-drink (RTD) bottled cocktail more than doubled year-over-year (YoY) during summer 2025, increasing volume 101% compared to summer 2024, Right Coast director of commercial strategy Jon Schwartz told Brewbound.
Spirits Found Growth Despite Rainy Memorial Day Weekend, per Circana Weekly Scans
It rained on many Memorial Day parades in the literal sense during the long weekend, but the less-than-ideal weather figuratively rained on the beverage-alcohol industry’s metaphoric parade too, according to the latest weekly report from market research firm Circana.
BevNET Live NYC 2026: Athletic’s Bill Shufelt, THC Beverages, and the Forces Reshaping the Drink Industry
As category definitions shift and consumers reconsider what, when, and where they want to drink, BevNET Live NYC 2026 (June 10+11) will bring together some of the industry’s most consequential voices – including Athletic Brewing co-founder and CEO Bill Shufelt and a panel of cannabis beverage leaders navigating a pivotal moment in the category’s future.
Columbia Distributing Strikes Another PNW Deal, Makes Strategic Investment for 30% of Hayden Beverage in Idaho
Columbia Distributing and Hayden Beverage are officially linking up in the Pacific Northwest. Columbia is making a “strategic investment” in Hayden, signing a letter of intent to acquire a stake in the family-owned Idaho distribution company.
Uncle Nearest Nears Possible Sale as Receiver Signs Letter of Intent
Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey is possibly closer to new ownership after its court-appointed receiver announced today he has signed a non-binding letter of intent (LOI) to sell nearly all of the brand’s assets to a confidential buyer.
TJ Sheehan Distributing to Acquire Eagle Beverage in Central NY
A pair of independent red network distributors struck a deal in Central New York. Sheehan Family Companies subsidiary T.J. Sheehan Distributing is set to acquire Eagle Beverage Company, adding around 3 million cases to its business.
Press Seltzer Parent Co. Enters Receivership; Voodoo Brewing to Sell as Crowdfunders Lose Investment; Great Central Closes as Amid Foreclosure Proceedings
The parent company of Press Premium Alcohol Seltzer has entered receivership in Milwaukee County Circuit Court, with nearly $7 million owed to Constellation Brands’ venture capital arm, the Milwaukee Business Journal reported.