Craft beer industry news.
Breakthru Beverage Group, which was formed after two prominent multi-state wholesalers — Wirtz Beverage Group and Charmer Sunbelt Group — merged in October, has officially launched in 19 markets across the U.S. and Canada. The combined companies will represent a portfolio of wine, beer and spirits brands totaling more than $6 billion in annual sales, according to a statement from the group.
Today, MillerCoors proudly unveils Henry’s Hard Soda, a new line of deliciously refreshing hard sodas made with real cane sugar. Crafted for beer and non-beer drinkers alike with 4.2 percent alcohol by volume, Henry’s puts a playful spin on familiar flavors with Henry’s Hard Ginger Ale and Henry’s Hard Orange Soda.
Garrett Marrero, the founder and CEO of Maui Brewing, Hawaii’s largest brewery, has been elected to the Brewers Association board of directors. Marrero, who currently serves on the organization’s government affairs committee, will begin his three-year term as a board member in February.
Two Roads Brewing Company’s hometown of Stratford, CT is known for playing a large part in aviation history. A mile from where the brewery stands, the world’s first helicopter took off one historic day in 1939 piloted by its designer and legendary aviation pioneer, Igor Sikorsky. His company, Sikorsky Aircraft is still making helicopters in Stratford to this day.
Dry Dock Brewing Company is releasing the final 2015 Signature Series beer, Cascara Imperial Stout, on Thursday, January 7, 2016 at Canoe Room at North Dock at 2pm. This whiskey barrel-aged Signature Series beer has added cascara, the dried fruit of coffee berries.
MadTree Brewing has teamed up with renowned Cincinnati bean-to-bar craft chocolatier, Maverick Chocolate, to create Rubus Cacao. Rubus Cacao (pronounced “roo-bus kah-cow”) is a sweet chocolate stout with a slightly tart raspberry flavor, melding the two in perfect harmony. Located in Findlay Market, Maverick teamed up with MadTree to source cacao nibs from the Dominican Republic to create the rich chocolate flavor that envelopes your taste buds with each sip.
Named after a radical skiing and snowboarding maneuver, Alaskan Brewing Company’s newest Spring Seasonal Release, Hop Turn IPA offers a change in direction from the recent trends in West Coast IPAs. Meant as an alternative to the hop bitterness wars that have defined much of the current development in IPAs, Hop Turn seeks a more delicate taste experience influenced by legendary old-world beers.
M.I.A. Beer Company has announced expanded distribution plans, partnering with Cavalier Distributing as their distributor for Florida. Beginning January 4, Cavalier will distribute draught versions of M.I.A.’s flagship beers including Miami Weiss Hefeweizen, Mega Mix Pale Ale, Domino Pilsner, and Tourist Trappe Belgian Tripel, as well as seasonal and limited releases as they are available.
Far From the Tree is expanding its reach. The Salem-based cider house has announced a partnership with Massachusetts Beverage Alliance to accommodate its steady growth rate and ability to offer its products to consumers throughout the state.
Knee Deep Brewing Company of Auburn, CA. is licensed and will be selling beers in the state of Texas starting January 2016.
What an exhausting year. 2015 was undoubtedly the busiest year Brewbound has ever experienced from a coverage standpoint and we don’t expect 2016 to be any different. As we prepare for another busy year in the beer biz, let’s take a moment to look back at the year’s most important stories in craft beer. Here are the top 10 stories that shaped the craft narrative in 2015.
What a year for craft litigation. Whether it was an attempt to define “craft beer” or efforts to own IPA, 2015 sure had its fair share of notable legal spats. So what do craft-minded attorneys think about the increasing amount of trademark disputes? Brewbound reached out to four of the industry’s leading experts in trademark and copyright law to get their thoughts on 2015.
Self-distribution allows small breweries to build their business at their own pace and maintain direct relationships with the accounts that sell their beer. Ranger Creek has taken full advantage of this Texas beer law, which has allowed them to sell their beer through 115 accounts in the San Antonio area. However, thirsty consumers have created more demand than the brewery’s self-distribution can handle. As a result, the local craft brewery has chosen to work with a distribution partner in their home market.
When it comes to Melvin Brewing — the GABF’s 2015 Brew Pub of the Year —we toast to forward drinking flow. Melvin Brewing has officially launched production of its award-winning beers at their new 20,000-square-foot facility on six acres in Alpine, Wyoming.
