In episode 33 of the Brewbound Podcast, we rebroadcast this month’s Brew Talks conversation on diversity and inclusion with Jackson-Beckham; Founders Brewing diversity and inclusion director Graci Harkema; and Bow & Arrow Brewing founder Shyla Sheppard.

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.

Founders Brewing Co. has announced that Más Agave will be the third release in the brewery’s esteemed Barrel-Aged Series.

Improving diversity and inclusion within the craft brewing industry was a recurring theme throughout last week’s Craft Brewers Conference (CBC) in Denver. During a Brew Talks panel discussion, Brewers Association diversity ambassador Dr. J. Nikol Jackson-Beckham argued that reaching out to customers beyond “white dudes with beards” is no more risky than mortgaging financial futures to start breweries.

Founders Brewing Co. has announced Cerise as the next release in the Mothership Series. There are a few things that are quintessentially “Michigan” and many would argue that cherries top that list. Last released in 2012, Cerise (5.7 percent ABV) is a tart cherry ale.

Mahou San Miguel is upping its stake in Colorado’s Avery Brewing, and the Spanish beer company has teamed up with its other U.S. craft brewery partner, Michigan’s Founders Brewing, on the new investment. Mahou, along with Founders, will purchase a 40 percent stake in Avery Brewing for an undisclosed sum. The newly acquired stake will be combined with Mahou’s original 30 percent minority interest in Avery that was purchased in early 2018.

Founders Brewing Co. is bringing back a seasonal favorite, Green Zebra as their next spring-to summer seasonal. The highly popular Green Zebra was originally slotted to return as a Limited Series release, but the combination of a gose, sour, wild ale style was too good to hold back.

Founders Brewing Co. has partnered with Teton Distributors to bring their lineup to Wyoming, beginning in April 2019.

In the latest Distribution Roundup, Rhinegeist enters Nashville; Sweetwater goes statewide in Massachusetts; Castle Island makes its first move outside of Massachusetts; Founders adds its 48th state; and more expansion moves.

Founders Brewing Co. has announced the return of KBS, their popular bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout brewed with coffee and chocolate, in March 2019. The KBS release is an annual tradition at the brewery and will once again kickoff with an early ticketed bottle release of the beer from the taprooms.

Founders Brewing Co. has announced the first release of the 2019 Mothership Series. Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout (12.8 percent ABV) is a complex bourbon barrel-aged stout featuring the warm and roasted characteristics of a thick stout, with the added richness of oak and vanilla notes from the barrel-aging.

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.

Back by popular demand, Founders Brewing Co. has announced the return of Blushing Monk as the first release of the 2019 Limited Series. Think of Blushing Monk as Rubaeus’ older sibling – more intense, slightly larger and just a little bit more mature.