The highlight of every Craft Brewers Conference (CBC) for me is Brewers Association (BA) chief economist Bart Watson’s “State of the Industry” presentation. Watson gives a data-filled pulse check on the health of the industry, insights on where the business is heading and some much needed real talk on the future now that growth isn’t a given.

Before you head to Las Vegas for the 2024 Craft Brewers Conference, we’ve put together a primer of Brewers Association (BA) stories (and one video) from the past six months to help you prepare. Consider this the CliffsNotes version.

A pair of New England craft breweries have shared the results of their philanthropic efforts. Portland, Maine’s Allagash Brewing and Waitsfield, Vermont’s Lawson’s Finest Liquids each shared their respective impact reports this month.

Small and independent craft brewery production totaled around 23.4 million barrels in 2023, a -1% decline compared to 2022, the Brewers Association (BA) reported today.

Pike Brewing owner the Seattle Hospitality Group (SHG) has reached a “definitive agreement” to acquire a “controlling interest” in Fremont Brewing, the company announced today.

Texas-based lager brand Eight has promoted chief commercial officer (CCO) David Reny to CEO. He will assume the post effective May 1, as Eight co-founder and CEO Ruchi Desai shifts her focus to capital raises and strategic planning.

A pair of Iowa breweries have started a collective, while maintaining independent ownership. Backpocket Brewing in Coralville and SingleSpeed Brewing in Waterloo have linked up under the Parallel Brewery Collective umbrella. As of mid-February, the breweries are working under a shared-service agreement, with a shared sales team now offering both breweries’ portfolios, and are working together on supply chain procurement.

Anheuser-Busch InBev (A-B) and Tilray Brands are being sued in federal court by CraftCanTravel LLC (CCT) for allegedly interfering with the New York-based export company’s exclusive rights to export the former Craft Brew Alliance (CBA) portfolio of brands, including Kona Brewing, “to most of the world.”

Placentia, California-based The Bruery plans to open an outpost later this year in Meridian, Idaho, CEO Barry Holmes shared. The Idaho tasting room is expected to open by fall 2024.

The Brewers Association (BA) announced the recipients of its 2024 awards yesterday, recognizing individuals for their contributions to the craft brewing industry.

Boston Beer Company issued its 2023 annual report last Thursday, a 98-page document packed with numbers, operational details and risk factors that gives a window into the company’s business last year and moving forward.

The deadline to file written comments in the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau’s review of potential rules and regulations changes for alcoholic beverage labeling and advertising is set to expire this Friday (March 29). Among the changes under consideration are mandatory disclosures for alcohol content, nutritional information, ingredients and major allergens.

Tilray Brands has a busy slate of new products set to hit retail in the coming weeks and months. U.S. beer division president Ty Gilmore and new CMO Prinz Pinakatt shared details on the new products with Brewbound.

Blue Lake, California-based Mad River Brewery has been acquired by the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians, who own and operate the Rolling Hills Casino and Resort in Corning, California.