Spirits Distribution: Berczy Joins Hard Tea Race; DIO Aims for the Minibar with RNDC
Our latest distribution roundup finds Berczy getting in on the hard tea race in the Northeast and Woody Harrelson’s spirits heading into Massachusetts, while prepared cocktails Tequio and DIO sign deals with new distributors as they go deep in California and New York respectively.
Report: Foxtrot Assets Sold At Auction For $2.2M
The future of Foxtrot is once again in question after assets belonging to the shuttered grocery chain were acquired today by Further Point Enterprises via auction for $2.2 million, according to a report from Crain’s Chicago Business.
Sierra Nevada Promotes Ellie Preslar to CCO
Sierra Nevada VP of sales Ellie Preslar has been promoted to chief commercial officer of the California-based craft brewery. Preslar fills the position left vacant by the retirement of Joe Whitney in October, after 17 years at Sierra Nevada.
Wisconsin Brewing Launches Harley-Davidson Branded Non-Alcoholic Beer
Harley-Davidson is rolling into the non-alcoholic (NA) beer segment via a licensing deal with Wisconsin Brewing Company. Road King American Pils is rolling out now throughout the Badger State in 16 oz. can 4-packs.
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🎶 INSIDER’S Week in Beer: This Spotify Ad is For You
While it may be all the rage to give shout-outs to Applebee’s in songs these days, there are apparently more than 500 songs out there with lyrical references to good ‘ol BUD (maybe not so much with BUD LIGHT in 2024, at least in a certain genre of music).
“Unreasonable Innovation”: Tip Top Cocktails on 2024 Lineup and Strategy
If Tip Top Proper Cocktails had the resources, it would’ve released 11 new styles of canned cocktails this year. While they settled for about half that amount, the team still argues that constant innovation is what makes their brand the most in touch with cocktail culture—and helps a small company like theirs carve out a distinct position in a saturated category.
People Moves: Pete Marino Joins Bourbon Maker; Beer Institute Appoints VP of Strategic Communications
Former Molson Coors exec Pete Marino has found a new role as president of Kentucky-based Bardstown Bourbon Co.
A Round With … Urban South’s Jacob Landry
Operating in a tourist-heavy city such as New Orleans can be a gold mine for hospitality businesses, but comes with its own challenges and hurdles, as COVID-19 taught business owners.. Urban South founder and CEO Jacob Landry shares what it’s like to run a brewery in the city in the latest edition of Brewbound’s Insider-exclusive Q&A series A Round With.
Russian River’s 20th Pliny the Younger Release Contributes $8.6 MIllion to Local Economy
Russian River Brewing’s 20th annual Pliny the Younger release contributed $8.6 million in economic impact to the local economy in Sonoma County, according to the California-based brewery and the Sonoma County Economic Development Board (EDB).
Brewbound Podcast: A State of Craft Update with Bart Watson and Katie Marisic of the Brewers Association
Brewers Association (BA) chief economist and VP of strategy Bart Watson provides insights into the state of the craft brewing industry, while senior director of federal affairs Katie Marisic gives an overview of the trade group’s government affairs work on the latest edition of the Brewbound Podcast.
👨💼 Great Lakes CEO Mark King Resigns
Brewbound Insider newsletter: Great Lakes’ leadership shakeup; A-B’s U.S. shipments and depletions decline double digits; Lead Dog Brewing founder buys back brewery; Goose Island’s Salt Shed location opens; and Boulevard hits the Jackpot with Tank 7.
James Watt Steps Down as BrewDog CEO, Assumes ‘Captain’ Role
BrewDog co-founder James Watt has stepped down as CEO of the Scottish craft brewery and will assume the new role of “captain” and co-founder, while also serving as a non-executive director on the company’s board of directors, according to multiple news reports.
A-B US Shipments -10.1%, Depletions -13.7% in Q1, Final Quarter Before Boycott Comps
Anheuser-Busch InBev’s (A-B) U.S. businesses recorded double-digit shipments and depletions declines in Q1, the final quarter before the company begins to lap initial accelerated declines from the conservative-led boycott of Bud Light that began in April 2023.
Great Lakes CEO Resigns; Commercial and Operations Chiefs Named Interim Co-CEOS
Great Lakes Brewing Co. (GLBC) CEO Mark King has stepped down from the top position at the Cleveland, Ohio-based craft brewery, effective April 24, the company announced today.