Craft remained in the red in the last four weeks (L4W, data ending July 13), with dollar sales (-4.7%) and volume, measured in case sales, (-6.3%) in Circana-tracked off-premise channels (multi-outlet plus convenience) both failing to keep up with 2024 comps. However, craft’s declines decelerated compared to the previous L4W (data ending June 15), when dollar sales were down 6.7% and volume declined 8.4%.

Hard tea continued to fill Boston Beer’s sails in Q2, but it was newbie Sun Cruiser that put in the brunt of the work rather than veteran Twisted Tea, company leadership shared Thursday during a call with investors and analysts.

More than one-third (34%) of distributors believe this summer will be stronger for beer sales than summer 2024, according to a recent survey by Goldman Sachs.

Q2 was once again a thorn in Boston Beer Company’s side, despite a rosier Q1, according to financial results released by the company late Thursday. Boston Beer shipments (sales to wholesalers) declined 0.8% year-over-year (YoY), while depletions (sales to retailers) declined 5% for the three-month period ending June 28.

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.