In this week’s Last Call: The House Ways and Means Committee passed a one-year extension of the federal excise tax relief for alcohol producers and importers. Also, U.S. beer shipments declined in May, Deschutes begins selling canned drinking water, Bell’s Two Hearted tops the AHA’s best list, and more news briefs.

In this week’s edition of Last Call: Brewers Association CEO Bob Pease weighs in on the Boston Beer-Dogfish Head deal; Rob Tod wins a James Beard award; Bell’s and Loveland head to arbitration; the Texas Senate strips to-go-sales amendment from a bill; and more industry news.

Bell’s Brewery is proud to announce the upcoming release of its Leaves of Grass series; seven brand new Bell’s beers released about every two months inspired by Walt Whitman’s literary classic.

Bell’s Brewery is proud to announce brand new looks for two of its oldest craft beers. Beginning in April, fans will start to see refreshed packaging for Bell’s Porter (5.6% ABV) and Bell’s Kalamazoo Stout (6% ABV). Inside will be the same Bell’s beer fans have loved from the beginning.

Bell’s Brewery is proud to announce its new distributor partnerships in the great states of Wyoming and Nevada!

Bell’s Oberon Ale officially returns March 25, signaling the end of winter and return of summer.Bars, restaurants, retail locations and fans will celebrate Oberon’s return with midnight tappings, release parties, pub crawls and other special events throughout the week.

Virginia may be for lovers, but it won’t be a place where drinkers can purchase Bell’s beer for much longer. Bell’s Brewery founder Larry Bell notified the company’s seven Virginia wholesalers on Friday that the Michigan craft brewery would cease shipments to the state after filling final orders.

A new year is in full-swing and Bell’s Brewery has a number of incredible releases planned for 2019. First up is Hopslam. Cans, kegs and mini-kegs started shipping on Jan. 2. Events and special tappings continue as fresh Hopslam make its way to its final destinations after leaving the brewery.

Total U.S. beer dollar sales grew to more than $35 billion in 2018, according to retail data provider IRI. The Chicago-based market research firm, which tracks category-wide sales at major off-premise retailers, reported a 1.8 percent increase in beer dollar sales, despite a 0.3 percent decline in volume sales at multi-outlet and convenience (MULC) stores (grocery, drug, club, dollar, mass-merchandiser and military) through December 30.

Industry headwinds, brewery acquisitions, the emerging cannabis sector, and the seemingly never ending battle between big and small beer makers were the focus of Brewbound’s most-read stories of 2018.

Two brand new Bell’s beers have been announced for 2019, but Bell’s Brewery has more in store for craft beer fans this fall. Michigan’s largest independent craft brewery is proud to announce the addition of Hopsoulution, one of its Double IPAs, to its year-round lineup in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin.

Bell’s Brewery is proud to announce the next can and bottle release in its Larry’s Latest series – Larry’s Latest Flamingo Fruit Fight (5% ABV).

Tim Gossack, Bell’s Production Manager, was one of eight former Deschutes brewers invited back to Bend, Oregon to brew a special, unique one-time collaboration brew to help celebrate Deschutes Brewery’s incredible milestone.

A brand new beer will join Bell’s Brewery’s year-round lineup early next year: Bell’s Official American Wheat IPA.