North American Breweries

Following a year of flat sales at off-premise retail in 2017, U.S. beer dollar sales increased 3 percent through the first four weeks of 2018, according to retail data provider IRI Worldwide. IRI, a Chicago-based market research firm that tracks category-wide sales trends at off-premise retailers, reported total U.S. dollar sales of about $2.2 billion through January 28 in its multi-outlet and convenience (MULC) universe of stores (grocery, drug, club, dollar, mass-merchandiser and military).

Magic Hat Brewing Company is announcing a new collaboration with legendary Boston Celtic punk rockers, the Dropkick Murphys. The brewer met the band after learning about their non-profit charity, the Claddagh Fund, and soon after, the band visited Burlington to try their hand at brewing alongside Magic Hat’s brewers. The result of their mutual love of charity and ale is Barroom Hero.

Labatt USA announced it will begin a national search for a Brewmaster to lead its first brewery in the U.S. The new brewery, which will open in Buffalo, New York, later this year, will focus on innovation for Labatt.

North American Breweries this week announced that Kris Sirchio, who has served as CEO since 2013, would step down. Adrian Lachowski, the general manager of Florida Ice and Farm Co.’s (FIFCO) Central American beer and FMB business, will take over as CEO in early February, the company said via a press release.

The Brewers Association this week announced that it would no longer allow large brewing companies and brewery groups to purchase featured sponsorships at the Great American Beer Fest, held annually in Denver, Colorado.

Portland Brewing is celebrating summer with simplicity, bringing back crowd favorite, single malt single hop (S.M.A.S.H.) Pale Ale, with a twist —brand new El Dorodo hops. This gold standard release is refreshing and full of flavor and reminds us all that sometimes a pared down recipe reigns king. Every year when summer rolls around, beer drinkers throughout the Northwest reach for S.M.A.S.H.

As the leaves begin to turn, Portland Brewing and the Oregon Brew Crew launch another collaboration beer — Alex’s Red Rye IPA. The second in their Home Brewer’s Series, this fall brew is a seasonal you’ll want to enjoy year-round.

Portland Brewing and the Oregon Brew Crew have teamed up to celebrate the Rose City’s warmest months with the launch of a brand new collaboration brew — Sander’s Wit. Their refreshing take on this classic light beer style is the first in Portland Brewing’s Home Brewer’s Series — a small-batch brewing project launched to connect brewing enthusiasts with professional brewers. In the spirit of community, for every pint poured, Portland Brewing will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Oregon Food Bank.

The Beer Institute, a Washington D.C.-based trade association representing domestic and international beer companies, has launched a new initiative asking brewers large and small to display caloric and nutritional information on individual products, packaging and websites. Calling it the “Brewers Voluntary Disclosure Initiative,” the BI is encouraging its 44 brewer and importer members – as well as more than 4,000 non-member craft breweries — to voluntarily include a serving facts statement on their products, as well as disclose ingredients on either the label or secondary packaging by 2020.

Get ready for summer! Portland Brewing kicks-off the season with a limited-edition beer made exclusively for the Portland Rose Festival. Lemon Blonde Ale celebrates the 109th annual Rose City tradition with a bright citrus aroma and refreshing flavor — making it the perfect addition while enjoying the festivities along Portland’s Waterfront.

With the huge support following the inaugural launch of Portland Brewing’s S.M.A.S.H. Pale Ale, it’s only fitting the summer seasonal becomes the city’s newest super hero. Portland Brewing teamed up with local icon, Dark Horse Comics, to create a one-of-a-kind comic book cover in honor of S.M.A.S.H.

Portland Brewing is bringing back simplicity in its most refreshing form with the standout S.M.A.S.H. Pale Ale. The single malt and single hop (S.M.A.S.H.) brew delivers well-rounded flavor with its rich, bready malt base and lush pine and citrus hop notes. DRAFT magazine singled out S.M.A.S.H. as one of the top beers of 2015. Now this popular seasonal brew is making a special encore appearance to quench your thirst all summer long.

Seagram’s announced today the exciting launch of a new line of Hard Sodas set to hit shelves nationally on March 1, 2016. Seagram’s Hard Soda will be available in a range of flavors including Cherry Cola, Grape Soda, Lemon n’ Lime and Orange Cream. Lemon n’ Lime and Orange Cream are now available early in select Publix stores in the Southeast.