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.

Eight years ago, Dogfish Head and Boston Beer Company teamed up to brew a collaboration beer for the annual SAVOR craft beer and food pairing experience. Today, the two companies announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement valued at about $300 million. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter. As part of the transaction, Dogfish Head co-founders Sam and Mariah Calagione will receive about 406,000 shares of Boston Beer stock (NYSE: SAM), valued at $314.60 per share, making them the largest non-institutional shareholders in the company, behind Boston Beer founder Jim Koch.

More than 300 beer industry professionals gathered at Cervantes’ Masterpiece in Denver, Colorado, earlier this month to partake in conversations around the emerging health and wellness segment within beer, as well as the importance of becoming a more diverse and inclusive industry. Videos of the evening’s two panel discussions are now available for playback on the Brewbound YouTube channel.

The Bruery is unveiling a trio of beers in collaboration with Dogfish Head Craft Brewery: This is Ridiculous, This is Mrs. Ridiculous and Kisses Betwixt Mr. and Mrs. This is Ridiculous.

Bee Pollen. Quinoa. Pink Himalayan sea salt. You wouldn’t ordinarily expect to find these ingredients listed on a beer label, but increasingly brewing companies are pushing more “functional” offerings as they look to appeal to consumers seeking healthier alcohol options. It’s a new approach for a growing number of craft breweries, who for years have churned out calorie-dense, barrel-aged stouts, and high-octane IPAs.

As the warm weather rolls in, Dogfish Head raises a can to toast the upcoming season’s SWEAT-sational activities with its Off-Centered Activity Box. A summer-centric variety 12pk of cans perfect for beer drinkers with active lifestyles and conscience consumption mindsets, the Off-Centered Activity Box includes a selection of four sessionable sippers.

95… That’s the number of calories in the newest full-flavored IPA from Dogfish Head. SLIGHT in cals and carbs with MIGHTY hop flavor, Slightly Mighty – a crisp, new lo-cal IPA – starts shipping next week. This true indie craft beer has all the aroma and flavor of a world class IPA but with only 4% ABV, 95 calories, 3.6g carbs, 1g protein and 0g fat per 12oz serving.

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery created a new SUPER beer specifically designed for active lifestyle enthusiasts interested in incorporating high-quality ingredients in their beer choices – because that’s a thing they take seriously. Meet SuperEIGHT – a super-refreshing, sessionable Super Gose. 

Brewbound today announced its speaker lineup for the upcoming Brew Talks meetup, taking place April 9, in Denver, Colorado, during the annual Craft Brewers Conference. Throughout the event, which begins at 4:00 PM MDT, panelists will discuss the ways the craft beer category can evolve and open itself to new demographics.

As the official brewery of Record Store Day, Dogfish Head is bringing together independent beer and independent record stores through its reignited collaboration with longtime friends the Grateful Dead and the return of its fan-favorite pale ale American Beauty. 

Brewing industry professionals are invited to register for Brewbound’s 2019 Brew Talks gatherings, which will take place April 9 during the annual Craft Brewers Conference in Denver, Colorado, May 17 during SAVOR in Washington, D.C., and October 4 during the Great American Beer Festival in Denver.

Brouwerij RODENBACH of Belgium, arguably the most awarded brewery globally, the leading brewer of oak-aged mixed-fermentation ale dating back to 1821 and an inspirational source for sour beer producers around the world, has announced an intent to brew a collaboration beer with Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, the iconic U.S. craft brewery and producer of the fastest growing beer in the fastest growing craft beer style in America, SeaQuench Ale a session sour.

Nine months after urging retailers to adopt its independence seal, the Brewers Association (BA) today launched an extension of that campaign, encouraging state guilds, beer festivals, homebrew shops and other craft beer supporters to adopt a modified version of its original badge.

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.