Nice weather and ideal timing helped boost beer’s performance over Fourth of July weekend, producing “surprisingly strong trends,” according to distributors surveyed by Goldman Sachs.

Calicraft Brewing is on pace to grow 80% in 2025, after 30% growth in 2024. The Walnut Creek, California-based craft brewery has been able to buck national craft trends by cleaning up production, making key hires and refocusing its portfolio. Now, the company plans to expand that growth into ready-to-drink cocktails, launching in 2026.

When Geoff Dillon founded Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers in 2012, he wanted to make whiskey and other bottled craft spirits, inspired by the natural surroundings of the distillery’s backyard in Niagara (Ontario, Canada). Thirteen years later, Dillon’s gin- and vodka-based 5% ABV canned cocktails (RTDs) are what’s leading the way.

Boston Beer revealed a new 10-year sponsorship deal with the Boston Red Sox last Friday for its Samuel Adams brand; Spirits giant Proximo has shifted its California distribution to Breakthru Beverage, which it is with already in CO, MO and NV; New Belgium alum Ramon Tamayo joined Calicraft (Walnut Creek, CA) as head brewer in May; and more headlines

The highly anticipated Independence Day scans are in, and how positive the results are depends on whom you ask and “where one is looking,” according to the latest weekly report from market research firm Circana.

Distribution shakeup continues in California. After moving top-selling ready-to-drink (RTD) High Noon Sun Sips over from Republic National Distributing (RNDC) to Reyes Beverage in April, Gallo is making the same move with its spirits portfolio and select wines.

Ales for ALS is proof that collaboration and cause beers can still have a major impact. The Smith Family, owners of Loftus Ranches and an owner of Yakima Chief Hops (YCH), launched the Ales for ALS program more than a decade ago, inspired by personal experiences with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Here’s a collection of news items initially reported in the Insider version of the Brewbound Newsletter between July 9-July 11. Become an Insider today to get earlier access to what’s going on in the industry.

When Topa Topa Brewing CEO Jack Dyer and brewmaster Casey Harris started the Ventura, California, brewery in 2015, they knew they were in it for the long haul, committing to a business that was anchored in quality beer “with a purpose.”

The latest weekly scans do not “provide overwhelming confidence” for the bev-alc industry’s July 4 performance, according to Circana EVP, BelAl Scott Scanlon.

Total beer supply in the U.S. was down 3.6% in May compared to the same month in 2024, marking continued declines but slight improvements for the industry, according to data from the Beer Institute (BI).

Constellation Brands’ down Q1 may have bucked the Mexican beer importer’s historical trends, but the declines were “expected,” company leadership shared Wednesday during its Q1 2026 earnings call with investors and analysts.

California-based JuneShine Brands has spent the last seven years expanding its bev-alc portfolio from only hard kombucha, to now spirits-based canned cocktails, an American light lager and flavored malt beverages (FMBs).

Independence Day (July 4) celebrations may be slightly more subdued this year compared to 2024, but could lean more positively toward the on-premise, according to survey results from Numerator and CGA.