Two of the largest U.S. states now boast a record number of breweries. According to an economic impact study released Tuesday by the California Craft Brewers Association, California continues to be home to the most breweries in the nation, with more than 980 in operation as of April 2019. Meanwhile, an economic impact study released today by the New York State Brewers Association, found that 434 craft breweries were operating in the Empire State at the end of 2018.

Once again, a record number of craft breweries were in operation in 2018, according the Brewers Association (BA), a trade organization that represents small and independent breweries. The BA, which released its 2018 craft industry growth statistics today, reported that 7,346 craft breweries operated in the U.S. in 2018. That’s up from 6,490 in 2017.

In the latest Press Clips: Lion acquires Magic Rock Brewing in the UK; Allagash founder Rob Tod makes James Beard finals; Russian River’s Pliny the Younger generates more than $4 million in impact; the Cleveland Indians name Great Lakes and Miller Lite official beers; and more industry news.

Stone Brewing’s initial attempt to prevent MillerCoors from selling rebranded Keystone Light products has come up short. On Tuesday, a federal judge denied Stone’s motion for a preliminary injunction as well as the San Diego-based craft brewery’s attempt to dismiss MillerCoors’ counterclaims.

An Iowa craft brewery topped the Brewers Association’s (BA) list of the 50 fastest-growing breweries of 2018, but it wasn’t Toppling Goliath. No, the distinction of being the fastest-growing U.S. brewery in 2018 belongs to Lake Time Brewery.

Boulevard Brewing Company today announced one of the first craft beer endorsements by an active Major League Baseball player. The Kansas City-based craft brewery has inked a deal with Royals second baseman Whit Merrifield to promote its flagship Unfiltered Wheat brand. Additionally, Boulevard announced a sponsorship agreement with 20th Century Fox to make its Space Camper Cosmic IPA the exclusive craft beer of Dark Phoenix, the next film in the X-Men saga.

In the latest edition of People Moves, BrewDog USA changes its leadership team; Reyes taps Tom Day to lead its Beer Division; ex-NY alcohol regulator joins Drizly; and more personnel moves.

After growing dollar sales 14.8 percent last year, the Canarchy Craft Brewery Collective’s double-digit growth trends are continuing in early 2019. Off-premise dollar sales of products from the Fireman Capital-backed brewery consortium — whose brands include Oskar Blues, Cigar City, Deep Ellum, Perrin Brewing, Three Weavers, and Utah Brewers Cooperative (Wasatch and Squatters) — are up more than 29 percent through February 24, according to IRI’s multi-outlet and convenience store channel.

Big beer’s “corntroversy” is moving from television screens to the courtroom. MillerCoors today filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin that claims Anheuser-Busch’s Bud Light Super Bowl ads and its subsequent “transparency” ads are part of a “false and misleading advertising campaign” aimed at deceiving health-conscious consumers.

Father-and-son Bruce and Andy Rhine have acquired a majority stake in Bend, Oregon-based Cascade Lakes Brewing, the company announced Tuesday. Speaking with Brewbound, Andy Rhine said he and his father purchased ownership stakes held by previous owners Rick Orazetti and Doug and Ron Kutella. The Rhines now own 75 percent of the 25-year-old company.

The NCAA men’s basketball tournament officially tips off on Thursday, and several major beer manufacturers are already jockeying for fans’ attention. MillerCoors, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Craft Brew Alliance (CBA) and D.G. Yuengling are among the beer companies hoping consumers will want to catch a buzz with their products while watching for buzzer beaters this month.

Uinta Brewing Company announced Monday its third notable leadership change in the last four years, promoting chief marketing officer Jeremy Ragonese to president. Ragonese assumes the role from long-time beer industry executive John Lennon, who took over as CEO in early 2018 following the departure of Steve Mills, who left the Utah-based craft brewery to become CEO of Maine Beer Company.

Maryland’s craft brewers, wholesalers and retailers have reached an agreement on sweeping legislation that, if approved, would reform the state’s laws surrounding self-distribution, taproom sales and franchise agreements.

In this week’s Last Call: Anchor workers vote to unionize; Texas beer distributor opposes to-go sales; Utah lawmakers agree on stronger beer bill; Instacart offers alcohol delivery service to 40 Million U.S. households; and more industry news.