Craft Brew Alliance (CBA) today released its second quarter earnings results, which were highlighted by a 23.9 percent increase in Kona Brewing shipments and a portfolio-wide net sales increase of 6.4 percent compared to the same period in 2015. Driven by its “Kona Plus” strategy — which prioritizes national sales of the Hawaiian-themed brand over those from Widmer, Redhook, Omission and its partner brands — CBA was able to push year-to-date shipments, depletions and net sales back to about flat following a challenging first quarter.
Addressing 760 fellow co-owners during a company-wide retreat held in Fort Collins, Colo. this week, New Belgium co-founder Kim Jordan quashed persistent rumors of a brewery sale and reassured employees that the country’s 4th largest craft brewery would continue to remain 100 percent employee owned for the foreseeable future. “While the Board of Directors and ESOP trustee have a fiscal responsibility to keep an eye on capital markets, we have found that our current capital structure serves our purpose and vision best,” Jordan said on Monday.
A chef-inspired craft brewery and tasting room will emerge into the San Diego craft beer scene in August 2016. Nestled in Santee’s thriving business district, Finest Made Ales is a uniquely upscale brand, specializing in craft brews that reflect the culinary passion and prowess of Chef and Brewmaster Rey Knight.
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.
When Whole Foods approached us about a specialty cider for their New York locations, we did what we do best and sought out some New York apples. Wayne County, NY is home to one of the most unique apple crops in the country. So, we took 100% Wayne County apples, pressed them at Happy Valley Orchard in Middlebury, VT and fermented the juice with Ale Yeast in Burlington, VT. From here the Wayne County Sixer was born.
Cellarmen’s celebrates its first Mead Day with new small batch mead releases this Saturday, August 6. Mead Day, observed each year on the first Saturday in August, is the day set aside by the American Homebrewers Association to drink and revel in all things mead.
Two Beers Brewing is excited to announce the release of its most anticipated beer of the year – Fresh Hop IPA – scheduled for Friday, August 19 at The Woods tasting room in SoDo. First brewed in 2009, Fresh Hop enters its eighth season on the brewery’s fall lineup – with a twist for 2016! Previously available in 22-ounce bottles, Fresh Hop IPA will now be available in 12-ounce cans and on draft. Winning first place at the 2015 Fresh Hop Festival in Yakima last year, this celebrated hyper seasonal will only be around through the end of September.
Two Maine-based craft breweries — Sebago Brewing and Maine Beer Company — are in the process of finalizing brewery expansions projects what would enable each company to significantly grow their operations in the greater Portland area. Sebago Brewing, based in Gorham, today announced plans to open a new $5 million destination brewery in 2017. Pending planning board approvals, the company could break ground as early as November, it said in a press release.
Blue Moon launched a new advertising platform this year, entitled “Something’s Brewing.” The first ad featured founder and head brewmaster Keith Villa, whose imagination led him to create Blue Moon Belgian White, a Belgian Wit brewed with an artful twist. The campaign will also feature other creators who always add an inspired twist to their creations: Los Angeles chef Roy Choi of Kogi fame and indie-rock band Family of the Year. Ads featuring Choi began airing this week, with Family of the Year appearing in ads later in the summer.
In an attempt to unify the two major U.S. political parties, the Half Moon Bay Brewing Company, long known for its passion for politics, craft beer and sustainable coastal cuisine, has unveiled commemorative bottles of its popular IPA in honor of newly minted Republican party member and nominee Donald Trump and longtime Democratic nominee-in-waiting Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Presidential election. The red-labeled Trump IPA, featuring the businessman, former reality show host and University co-founder, will go head-to-head with the blue Clinton IPA, starring the former U.S. Senator, Secretary of State and “private emailer” in the Brewing Company’s third “Presidential Alection,” inviting visitors to put their internal divisions aside and come together and vote with their politics and palate for the good of the country.
The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) will offer 18 education seminars at its 79th Annual Convention September 25 – 28, 2016, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago in Chicago, Illinois.
Last year, Fort Collins Brewery (FCB) took home a gold medal for Oktoberfest in the Dortmunder/German-Style Oktoberfest category at the Great American Beer Festival, a premier U.S. beer festival and competition that draws over 60,000 attendees. But a shiny 2015 GABF® gold medal was just the tip of the iceberg for the brewery. On August 11th Fort Collins Brewery (FCB) will proudly release the award-winning Oktoberfest for the 3rd year in a row. The release is particularly nostalgic given the brewery’s recent rebrand.
Fall may be right around the corner, but for the crew at Diamond Knot Craft Brewing, the leaves may as well start falling and the crisp autumn days begin. Fog Bank Fall Ale is set to release Aug. 1 to thirsty fans throughout the area.
The National Beer Wholesalers Association’s (NBWA) 79th Annual Convention will take place September 25 – 28, 2016, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago in Chicago, Illinois. Political pundits Tucker Carlson and Bill Press will provide in-depth analysis of this election season during the general session on Tuesday, September 27, the morning after the first scheduled presidential debate.
