Zoe Licata

Zoe Licata

Senior Reporter, Brewbound.com

Zoe Licata joined Brewbound in 2021 after several years of freelance reporting and documentary work. She’s a Massachusetts native, guinea pig for bev-alc innovation and savant in Gen Z culture.

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Posts by Zoe Licata

‘Craft Beer Isn’t Dead,’ But it Has a ‘Customer Problem’

‘Craft Beer Isn’t Dead,’ But it Has a ‘Customer Problem’

Despite recent headwinds, craft beer continues to have the largest share of beer sales at Total Wine & More stores. But “it won’t stay that way” if industry trends continue, according to the chain retailer’s senior director, merchandising, Andrea Starr.

BWC: Bev-Alc Imports Slowdown Felt Across Beer, Wine and Spirits

BWC: Bev-Alc Imports Slowdown Felt Across Beer, Wine and Spirits

The story of slowed import sales and the impact of Hispanic consumer shifts, is not a story unique to beer, according to the latest monthly report from Bump Williams of Bump Williams Consulting (BWC). Total bev-alc (TBA) imports have declined 0.5% year-to-date (YTD), to nearly $11 billion, in NIQ-tracked, off-premise channels (total U.S. + liquor + convenience). In the same period last year, bev-alc imports were growing 1.3%, to $11.05 billion.

Bart Watson: If You’re Trying to Ride Out This Wave, ‘You Should Probably Reconsider’

Bart Watson: If You’re Trying to Ride Out This Wave, ‘You Should Probably Reconsider’

Anyone looking for an answer to when craft’s current era of compounding hurdles and declines will come to an end received a reality check Wednesday during Brewers Association (BA) president and CEO Bart Watson’s state of the industry address, held at the start of Day 2 of the Craft Brewers Conference (CBC) in Indianapolis.

Boston Beer Q1 Highlights: Twisted Tea Slowdown, Sun Cruiser Expansion and Tariffs

Boston Beer Q1 Highlights: Twisted Tea Slowdown, Sun Cruiser Expansion and Tariffs

Twisted Tea has been a positive outlier for Boston Beer Company in recent years, posting consistent growth for the company and combating declines from its sibling brands, including Truly Hard Seltzer. However, it is now Boston Beer’s spirits-based hard tea, Sun Cruiser, that is pulling the weight.

CBC 2025 Pre-Conference Reading List

CBC 2025 Pre-Conference Reading List

Headed to Indianapolis for the 2025 Craft Brewers Conference (CBC) and looking for some light reading? We got you. Ahead of the Brewers Association’s (BA) big event, we’ve put together a list of some of the trade group’s biggest stories from the past few months that will help you prepare for the week.

Rabobank: Cell Phones, Less Disposable Income and Demographic Shifts to Blame for Gen Z Drinking Less

Rabobank: Cell Phones, Less Disposable Income and Demographic Shifts to Blame for Gen Z Drinking Less

Bev-alc industry members continue to tout concerns that Gen Z is drinking less, with many blaming the generation’s increased attention to health and wellness versus previous generations. However, that narrative is “greatly overblown,” according to Rabobank senior beverage analyst Bourcard Nesin in a recent report from the financial services company.

BA Tariffs Webinar Recap: ‘Sticky’ Aluminum Tariffs, Consumer Sentiment a ‘Dumpster Fire’ and Other Challenges Ahead

BA Tariffs Webinar Recap: ‘Sticky’ Aluminum Tariffs, Consumer Sentiment a ‘Dumpster Fire’ and Other Challenges Ahead

The U.S. market was somewhat prepared for President Donald Trump to enact tariffs during his presidency, as promised during his campaign. But it wasn’t prepared for how “aggressive” those tariffs would be, including the speed and extent of their implementation, Rabobank global strategist, beverages, Stephen Rannekleiv said Thursday during a webinar hosted by the Brewers Association (BA).