Two of Pennsylvania’s most iconic businesses — D.G. Yuengling & Son and The Hershey Company — are linking up on a fall beer release, Chocolate Porter. Meanwhile, Brooklyn Brewery is betting on non-alcoholic beer catching on in the U.S., bringing its non-alcoholic hoppy lager offering, Special Effects, to select U.S. markets this fall.

Small and independent U.S craft brewers generated $79.1 billion in economic impact in 2018, which represented roughly 0.4 percent of the gross domestic product, according to industry trade group the Brewers Association’s (BA) 2018 Economic Impact Report.

California’s beer distribution system is being shaken up once again. Anheuser-Busch InBev announced Friday evening the planned acquisition of “key assets” from Markstein Beverage Co. in San Marcos, California. The company will add those assets to its existing wholly owned distributor, Anheuser-Busch Sales of San Diego.

Sierra Nevada has found its first VP of marketing. The iconic Chico, California-headquartered craft brewery today named Noelle Haley, who most recently served as VP of marketing and growth for San Francisco-based Equator Coffees & Teas, to the post.

Starbucks, Apple, Tesla … and White Claw? Anthony von Mandl, the founder of White Claw parent company Mark Anthony Brands, told thousands of beer wholesalers Tuesday during the National Beer Wholesalers Association’s Annual Convention that his company is a disruptor in the vein of those iconic brands.

“We can make beer grow again,” Boston Beer Company founder Jim Koch told thousands of beer distributors Monday during the opening session of the National Beer Wholesalers Association’s Annual Convention in Las Vegas.

In this edition of People Moves: Founders executive chair to depart for hydroponics farm; Other Half splits with Eric Salazar; and New England Brewing Company hires Jamal Robinson.

Scottish craft brewers BrewDog are on pace to double its U.S. business this year. In an email to BrewDog USA wholesalers, chief revenue officer Adam Lambert reported that the company’s depletions (sales to retailers) increased 95% through the first eight months of the year. The company has also sold more than 320,000 case equivalents.

After about four years of discussion, the stalled effort to launch a brand agnostic, pro-beer marketing campaign to improve category health officially kicked off today in Austin, Texas. The so-called Beer Growth Initiative, a coalition of the industry’s three trade groups — the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA), Brewers Association (BA) and Beer Institute (BI) — as well as large and small beer companies also revealed its first slogan: “Beers to That.”

The key summer selling season ended on a high note for the beer category, as dollar sales of beer, cider and FMBs increased 4.4% in off-premise retailers during the Labor Day holiday week (ending August 31) compared to the same time last year, market research firm Nielsen reported.

In the latest edition of Press Clips: Founders Brewing’s sale to Mahou San Miguel is valued at $198 Million; Colorado Brewers Guild names new executive director; Dark Horse Brewing behind on mortgage and property taxes; and Dogfish Head sends artifacts to the Smithsonian.

In the latest Last Call: Anheuser-Busch InBev resumes Asia-Pacific IPO application; Roak Brewing to acquire Dark Horse; Reyes closes on DBI deal; A-B appeals ‘No Corn Syrup’ preliminary injunction; and more.

Constellation Brands is closing another Ballast Point taproom. The New York-headquartered beer, wine and spirits giant plans to close the taproom and restaurant at its Daleville, Virginia, production facility by the end of September, according to the Roanoke Times. Constellation will also cut 25 full- and part-time workers, as well as 16 temporary employees, the outlet reported.

Fast-growing Massachusetts craft beer maker Wormtown Brewery has named Freetail Brewing founder Scott Metzger as its next general manager. The Worcester-based craft brewery informed its wholesalers of Metzger’s hire on Tuesday. Metzger will officially assume the role on September 25.