In this week’s edition of Last Call: Summit downsizes its workforce; A-B reconsiders its 3.2 beer portfolio; Nebraska looks to tweak its come-to-rest provisions; and more.

New Belgium will finish 2017 “flat to slightly up,” which newly appointed CEO Steve Fechheimer considers a victory in a crowded craft beer industry that has slowed to single-digit growth.

Crooked Stave owner Chad Yakobson wants his wild and sour ales to be more “approachable and available” in 2018. To that end, the Denver-based brewery began transitioning a handful of its core releases from large-format bottles into 6-packs of 12 oz. cans earlier this year.

In this week’s edition of Last Call: President Donald Trump makes tax reform law; Left Hand seeks $6 Million in damages in White Labs lawsuit; the Beer Institute releases November domestic tax paid estimates; the Brewers Association offers to pay to return lost kegs; and more.

Seven months after purchasing Speakeasy Ales & Lagers out of receivership, new owner Cestra “Ces” Butner has reconstructed the company’s California distribution network and reopened the San Francisco brewery’s taproom.

The U.S. Congress voted along party lines to pass the Republicans’ $1.5 trillion rewrite of the federal tax code, which includes two years of excise tax relief for alcohol producers and importers. The bill now heads to President Donald Trump, who is expected to sign it into law before the end of the week.

The Beer Institute (BI) and the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) have made an early New Year’s resolution: improve beer category health. The boards of directors for the two industry trade organizations each passed resolutions earlier this month pledging to work together with other industry players in support advancing the beer category and reclaiming market share from wine and spirits.

Members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives agreed over the weekend on a sweeping rewrite of the U.S. tax code that will include excise tax relief for alcohol producers and importers. The Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (CBMTRA) survived a conference committee of the House and Senate and will be included in the final version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The bill will now receive a final congressional vote — the Senate could vote as early as Tuesday — before advancing to President Donald Trump’s desk for approval.

As the end of 2017 draws near, U.S. beer volume sales remain roughly flat, according to recent data from Chicago-based market research firm IRI Worldwide. IRI, which tracks beer sales at off-premise retailers, reported that total beer sales through the first 11 months of 2017 exceeded $31.8 billion in the firm’s multi-outlet and convenience. Through December 3, U.S. beer volume sales declined 0.5 percent while total beer dollar sales increased 1.1 percent.

Coronado Brewing Company announced Thursday the promotion of Brandon Richards to CEO as Ron Chapman transitions into the role of chairman of the board. Meanwhile, Cambria Griffith will join California-based Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. as director of marketing starting January 15.

In this week’s edition of Last Call: Virginia Eagle Distributing acquires J.F. Fick; Boston Beer says it’s on the search for a downtown taproom; Taco Bell releases its first branded beer; Target acquires Shipt for $550 million; and much more.

More than 200 beer industry professionals met in Santa Monica for the annual winter Brewbound Session business conference in early December. Videos from the all-day event are now available online.

There are now 6,000 U.S. breweries in operation, and 98 percent of those beer companies are considered small and independent, according to a new report released by industry trade group the Brewers Association (BA).

Melvin Brewing plans to open at least four new brewpubs in 2018, including outposts in craft beer strongholds San Diego and Denver. Melvin sales director Ted Whitney told Brewbound that the Wyoming-headquartered cult beer maker has signed a letter of intent on a 5,500 sq. ft. space in downtown San Diego with the hope of… Read more »