Craft beer industry news.
Anheuser-Busch InBev and SABMiller are one step closer to making history after tentatively agreeing to a merger worth nearly $104 billion, a deal that would be the largest takeover in U.K. history. In a press statement, Anheuser-Busch InBev said Tuesday that it reached an agreement, in principle, to acquire a majority of the London-based SABMiller for 44 pounds a share.
Presentations from the 78th annual National Beer Wholesalers Convention, being held at the Caesers Palace in Las Vegas, concluded this afternoon with a panel of industry leaders who discussed, among other topics, the pending tie-up of the world’s two largest beer companies. Five prominent brewery executives (listed below) joined the panel, which was moderated by Mike Gretz, president of Gretz Beer Company, a wholesaler in Hatfield, Penn.
Today, Travis Markstein, president of Markstein Beverage Co. in San Marcos, California, assumed the position of 2015-2016 chairman of the Board of Directors for the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) at the association’s 78th Annual Convention and Trade Show at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. As chairman, Markstein will help guide the association as it advocates for licensed, independent beer distributors and educates elected officials, regulators, media and the public about the value of beer distributors and America’s effective system of state-based alcohol regulation.
The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) kicked off the first full day of its 78th Annual Convention and Trade Show today at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. NBWA’s outgoing Chairman of the Board Eric Best described the opportunity that America’s independent beer distribution system offers, saying, “The three-tier system offers opportunity for American consumers to enjoy the largest selection of beer anywhere in the world. It provides to have all of this robust competition and business growth while balancing it with public safety and consumer protection.”
Boulder Beer Company, Colorado’s First Craft Brewery, will release The Dude’s D’Spare on Saturday, November 7th. The Dude strikes again! A sequel to The Dude’s Bane and Scourge of the Dude, The Dude’s D’Spare is the third release in Boulder Beer’s barrel-aged Dude Series.
Oskar Blues Brewery and Ball Corp, through the CAN’d Aid foundation, can and ship clean drinking water to victims of the flood ravaged state of South Carolina. The initial shipment of more than 1,600 cases, totaling over 38,000 cans of water, arrived at the epicenter of flooding in Columbia, South Carolina on Monday, October 12, 2015 with more arriving in the coming days.
New Holland Brewing Co. has taken its top-selling year-round bourbon barrel stout – Dragon’s Milk – and gotten creative, four times over. The Michigan-based brewery is releasing its 2015 “reserve” batches of Dragon’s Milk to markets around the country with four variations; Dragon’s Milk Reserve with Coffee & Chocolate, Dragon’s Milk Reserve with Raspberries, Dragon’s Milk Reserve with Toasted Chilies, and Dragon’s Milk Reserve Triple Mash.
Fizzics Group, creators of a revolutionary beer system has mastered the science of making beer taste better, and Brookstone, an innovative US retailer and product development company, announces today the launch and retail availability of Fizzics™, the world’s first personal beer dispenser that creates a fresh from the tap experience from any bottle, can or growler.
As the first autumn leaves fall from their trees, Portland Brewing honors the change in season and our local community with the limited edition Rico Sauvie Pumpkin Ale with Spices. The seasonal brew celebrates Sauvie Island, which at 26,000 acres is one of America’s largest fresh water islands, and one of Portlanders’ most cherished fall getaways. This benefit beer also supports the Oregon Food Bank.
The wildly-popular, warm weather offering Grisette Working Class Ale was first canned by the Sly Fox Brewing Company in 2013. In that initial year of its release, the refreshing farmhouse-style ale was awarded a silver medal in the French and Belgian-style Ale category at the prestigious Great American Beer Festival (GABF). It returned the following year to win the gold, and now, in 2015, we’re proud to announce that Grisette was once again awarded a silver medal at the country’s largest beer competition.
Craft Brew Alliance today announced that Kurt Widmer, the co-founder of Widmer Brothers Brewing and the current chair of the CBA board, would resign at the end of the year. In an effort to support the transition as CBA’s board of directors selects a new chairperson, Kurt Widmer — who started the brewery with his brother Rob Widmer in 1984 — will remain in his role through December 31, 2015 and assume the honorary title of Chairman Emeritus upon exiting, the company said.
Revolution Brewing has announced plans to officially expand distribution to Massachusetts, signing with Massachusetts Beverage Alliance (MBA) for statewide coverage beginning Nov. 2. The decision to begin selling beer on the east coast is more of a personal one for Revolution founder Josh Deth, who was born and raised in Newton, Mass., a Boston suburb.
Tweet Away, California Brewers At last, California-based beverage alcohol producers will be able to encourage purchasing via twitter and other social media platforms. Gov. Jerry Brown last week signed Assembly Bill 780, which enables brewers, distillers and vintners to identify retailers of their products on social media, according to the San Francisco Business Times. The… Read more »
VERONA, Wis. — Wisconsin Brewing Company announced today a new collaboration with Pabst Brewing Company (“Pabst”), the world’s largest American-owned brewer. Beginning on October 1, 2015, under the guidance of Greg Deuhs, Pabst’s Master Brewer, the Wisconsin Brewing Company began brewing Old Tankard Ale, a classic post prohibition American Ale from Pabst’s heritage portfolio that… Read more »
