Constellation Brands, which begins its financial year in March, had a rollercoaster of a first quarter for FY 2021, with net sales declining 6%, to $1.9 billion, but beer depletions (sales to retailers) increasing 5.6%.

Constellation Brands’ venture capital arm will invest $100 million in beverage alcohol startups with Black founders over the next decade, the company announced today.

The National Beer Wholesalers Association’s monthly Beer Purchasers’ Index bounced back from a dismal 35 reading in April to an overall index of 66 in May. Long-time Vermont Cider Co. executive Terry Hopper is exiting the maker of Woodchuck Hard Cider, effective today. And more industry news bites.

Two months after Constellation Brands made a minority investment in Press Premium Alcohol Seltzer, the company’s chief commercial officer for its beer division, Bruce Jacobson, announced he is leaving the beer, wine and spirits company after 17 years to join the Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based hard seltzer maker.

Modelo, the beer brewed with The Fighting Spirit, announces the availability of Modelo Chelada Mango y Chile – the newest flavor addition to the No.1 Chelada brand lineup.

Constellation Brands will continue production of import brands Corona, Modelo and Pacifico at its facilities in Mexico, despite the suspension of nonessential businesses in that country.

Right now, we all need to raise a beer – and a hand – for those in the biz.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the $2.2 trillion stimulus package Friday afternoon and sent the bill to President Donald Trump, who signed the bill into law at 4 p.m. ET in the Oval Office. U.S. brewers shipped 11,350,000 barrels in February, a decline of 0.7% compared to February 2019, according to national trade group the Beer Institute.

Ball Corporation has added production of 32 oz. crowler cans and expects to have a supply ready to hit the market in two days. The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, the $2 trillion stimulus package to aid the public health and economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Deschutes Brewery founder Gary Fish told the Bend Bulletin that the company has laid off about 60% of its staff.

Constellation Brands’ sale of Ballast Point to an investor group fronted by little-known Chicago upstart beer company Kings and Convicts officially closed on Monday.

In an effort to reassure attendees of next month’s Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America in San Antonio, Texas, the Brewers Association (BA) said Monday that the show will go on as planned despite fears over the spread of the coronavirus-caused disease, COVID-19.

Making good on its promise to invest $100 million by 2028 in businesses founded or led by women, Constellation Brands today announced a minority investment in Press Premium Alcohol Seltzer through its Focus on Female Founders program.

In this week’s edition of Last Call: U.S. beer shipments decline 0.8% in 2019; A-B spends $24 Million on Bud Light Seltzer ads; Barefoot to launch wine-based hard seltzer line; A-B and City Brewery announce expansion plans; and more news from the week.