Craft Brew Alliance

Craft Brew Alliance, Inc. (“CBA”) (Nasdaq: BREW), a leading craft brewing company, announced today that its Chief Executive Officer Andy Thomas will be the keynote speaker at the Opening Session of the Master Brewers Conference in Atlanta on October 12. In his keynote, Thomas will address critical trends and issues impacting the beer industry today, including the increased competition as more than 6,000 breweries compete for consumer share of mind.

In this week’s Last Call: Utah considers revising 3.2 laws; Golden Road rethinks its proposed Oakland beer garden; ex-New Belgium brewmaster’s Purpose Brewing & Cellars sets grand opening; and more.

Widmer Brothers Brewing today announced the release of Hefe Twisted Citrus, a refreshing and juicy new version of America’s Original Hefeweizen that will be available in bottles and on draft across the Pacific Northwest.

Cisco Brewers is bringing its Madaquet Double IPA, a piney, citrusy New England style Double IPA full of character and flavor, to the mainland for the first time ever.

During a call with investors and analysts on Thursday, Craft Brew Alliance CEO Andy Thomas characterized the company’s second quarter results as “another win,” even though company-wide depletions dipped 2 percent amidst pressure from more than 5,500 breweries competing for an evolving consumer set that Thomas called “alien.”

Craft Brew Alliance (CBA) today reported second quarter earnings results, which were highlighted by a 9 percent increase in Kona depletions. But Kona’s continued depletion growth – which CBA executives have repeatedly touted as a mainstream, crossover brand that sources volumes from the craft and import segments – couldn’t completely offset ongoing declines of Widmer Brothers and Redho

Kona Brewing Company has brought one of its most popular small batch creations from the Kona Brewery in Kona-Kailua, HI to the mainland. Now available in California and Nevada, the traditional Bavarian-style weissbier is medium- to full-bodied with a pronounced fruitiness (banana/apple) and spicy characteristics (clove/nutmeg).

On this week’s episode of Taste Radio, BevNET CEO John Craven joins Brewbound editor Chris Furnari for an interview with Craft Brew Alliance CEO Andy Thomas. As the head of one of the largest craft beer companies in the U.S., Thomas oversees a portfolio that includes Kona, Widmer, Redhook and other craft brands. During his segment, Thomas shares insight into topics such as the commercial evolution of the category, the importance of being patient with innovations (and where to find the inspiration to fuel them), and how the proliferation of small craft breweries is challenging companies to cultivate stronger, more unique brand identities.

After about 20 months of planning and building, Craft Brew Alliance (CBA) will finally open its Redhook brewpub in downtown Seattle in August. Located in the Pike Motorworks Building in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, the 10,000 sq. ft. Redhook “Brewlab” will feature a 10-barrel brewing system, 16 rotating draft beers and seating for 260 people, according to Derek Hahm, CBA’s vice president of sales and brewpubs.

Redhook Brewery today announced the release of Bicoastal IPA, a mash up between a hazy New England IPA and a west coast IPA. The hazy New England-style IPA is taking both coasts by storm. Redhook Brewery has a unique perspective on the trend, having a presence in both Washington and New Hampshire.

As summer kicks into to high gear, Widmer Brothers Brewing is opening an outdoor beer garden across the street from its pub, next to its brewery in North Portland. Opening July 1, the Widmer Brothers Beer Garden will feature small batch beers from the brewery’s innovation brewing team, live music, food carts, lawn games and one of the best beer drinking views of downtown Portland.

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts chief marketing officer Jackie Woodward has joined Craft Brew Alliance’s board of directors, the publicly traded, Portland, Oregon-based beer company announced today. Woodward was elected to CBA’s board during a May 17 shareholders meeting and fills a position vacated by John D. Rogers, who was required to retire after turning 72, a stipulation in the beer company’s bylaws.

Kona Brewing Company has brought back its popular Lemongrass Luau for a “hana hou” or encore.

Widmer Brothers is gearing up for the start of summer – launching a new beer, Hefe Berry Lime, and announcing the ambitious event line up of the brewery’s annual 100 Days of Hefe summer celebration. Hefe Berry Lime is a playful take on Widmer Brothers Hefe, brewed with a blend of Oregon marionberries, blackberries, lime, and kaffir lime leaves. The result is a tart and refreshing, wheat beer that is perfect for the warmer summer months ahead.