Former Wachusett Brewing Company president Christian McMahan has started The Hooch Lab, a consulting firm targeting higher-end brands in the beer, wine, spirits and ready-to-drink FMB space.

San Diego-based independent wholesaler Scout Distribution will begin distributing the Port Brewing and Tiny Bubbles brands beginning March 1, the San Marcos, California craft brewery announced today.

Constellation Brands is making a pair of executive moves, placing Jim Sabia in charge of the company’s beer division and promoting Mallika Monteiro to the expanded role of chief growth, strategy and digital officer. Those moves take effect on March 1.

Des Moines, Iowa-based Exile Brewing Company is expanding its distribution reach even further in the state of Illinois after launching in the Chicago suburbs of Aurora, Naperville, Wheaton, and Elgin last week.

Denizens Brewing co-founder and chief brand officer Julie Verratti will join the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as associate administrator of field operations, beginning March 1. Verratti will step away from her role with the brewery to take on the political appointment.

Heineken USA showed off a slate of innovations that will begin rolling out in retailers this spring — including what CEO Maggie Timoney called its latest crown jewel, Dos Equis Ranch Water Hard Seltzer — during its spring meeting with wholesalers this week.

Boston Beer Company’s sales increased 38.9% in 2020, generating $1.74 billion in revenue, according to the company’s earnings report released Wednesday afternoon.

Industry veterans Ethan Stienstra and Dan Kiefer today officially launched their next endeavor, Ahead of the Curve Strategy, a Denver-based consulting firm that aims to apply their big brand knowledge to smaller craft breweries and beverage alcohol producers.

Ten hard kombucha makers are linking up to launch a national campaign to drive awareness and education of the emerging segment over the next five days in the lead up to “World Kombucha Day” on February 21.

The lemonade seltzer competition is picking up, as White Claw maker Mark Anthony Brands announced today that its Mike’s Hard Lemonade Seltzer brand extension is now hitting retail shelves nationwide. Meanwhile, RBC Capital’s Nik Modi recently shared a study that found the hard seltzer segment “is far from its peak and could grow another 150% by 2025.”

Boston Beer Company announced a truly sweet round of bonuses for its top executives last week, as well as their 2021 salaries. The SEC filing also revealed that Boston Beer hired consulting firm Frederic W. Cook & Co. last year to review the total compensation being paid to CEO Dave Burwick.

After 15 years, Port Brewing LLC (Port Brewing and The Lost Abbey) notified Stone Distributing last week that it was giving 60 days’ notice and terminating its distribution contract without cause.

The CANarchy Craft Brewery Collective is making an aggressive bet on its portfolio of hard seltzers in 2021, with a goal of producing 150,000 barrels this year, chief commercial officer Chris Russell told Brewbound.

Brooklyn Brewery sold its international brand rights in Europe and parts of Asia to long-time collaborator Carlsberg for around $130 million last year. The Danish multinational beer manufacturer reported the June acquisition of Brooklyn’s brand rights within its 2020 annual report.