The Beer Institute (BI) has named Troy Wittek as director of research for the national trade association; the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) has named Erin Donar as VP of communications; Josh Halpern is the new CEO of Shaquille O’Neal’s fast casual fried chicken restaurant Big Chicken and Beer Park; and more people moves.

Dogfish Head Miami will open May 21, occupying the Wynwood taproom previously housing Boston Beer subsidiary Concrete Beach Brewery, which closed in September 2020.

Cannabis firms Tilray, Inc. and Aphria, Inc. announced today the completion of their previously agreed upon merger, creating what they say will be “the world’s largest global cannabis company.”

Minnesota brewers’ efforts to remove a ban on growler and beer to-go sales for larger craft breweries have fallen short; meanwhile, legislation that would allow Texas restaurants to continue to sell beer, wine and mixed drinks with takeout orders is now in the hands of Gov. Greg Abbott; and more news from the states.

The Michael James Jackson Foundation (MJF) has awarded five scholarships to beer industry professionals from across the country in what it anticipates will be the first round of many grants to help Black, Indigenous, and people of color advance their education and break into the brewing and distilling industries.