Short’s Brewing Company of Bellaire, MI, announces updated Midwest distribution plans. In January, the company announced it would distribute Short’s brews and Starcut Ciders outside of their home state, Michigan, for the first time. Initial distribution outside Michigan began with eastern Pennsylvania in February 2016. This area will extend to Pittsburgh beginning March 19. Wilson-McGinley, a wholesale distribution company established in the 1950s and located in the historic Lawrenceville neighborhood, will be representing Short’s in the Pittsburgh area.
Craft Brew Alliance today announced its 2015 financial results, highlighting a net sales increase of just 2 percent and a shipment decrease of 1 percent across its core family of brands including Kona, Redhook, Widmer, Omission and Square Mile Cider. CBA shipped a total of 824,400 barrels in 2015, down from 830,200 the year prior. Despite the dip, CBA managed to improve gross margin by 110 basis points, to 30.5 percent in 2015, resulting in a 6 percent gross profit increase of $3.5 million.
Craft Beer Guild LLC — a Massachusetts beer wholesaler responsible for selling about 200 craft brands from around the U.S. — has agreed to pay more than $2 million for violating state laws that prohibit unfair trade practices and illegal activities, the Boston Globe reported. The Globe, citing a person familiar with the wholesaler’s operations, said the fine was about $2.6 million. That amount also includes sales made via its “Craft New Hampshire” operation, the ABCC and Craft Beer Guild confirmed.
On March 10th, Fort Collins Brewery (FCB) will be bringing back Hefeweizen for a 2nd year in a row. With the unfiltered haze of winter and the blonde promise of summer skies ahead, Hefe’s crisp hop profile and touch of golden wheat marry these two seasons into one beautiful beer. “As we come out of imperial stouts and winter warmers and start to look for lighter beers like pilsners, Hefe is a great transition beer with a nice body and slight hop kick,” says Thomas Barnett, FCB Operations Manager.
Rick Boelter announced that Boelter has furthered its commitment to the brewing industry by adding Chrislan Ceramics and its related businesses to The Boelter Companies. Chrislan was founded in 1987 and has become the leading manufacturer and supplier of ceramic tap handles, decorated glassware and insulated growlers to the brewing industry. Chrislan’s manufacturing facility is located in the greater Vancouver area – Maple Ridge, BC Canada
Scottish brewery Innis & Gunn yesterday announced United States Beverage LLC as its new U.S. importer. The brewery’s line of oak-aged beers had previously been imported through its own Innis & Gunn USA affiliate. “Following a thorough review of our own business within the US and the fast changing US beer market, we have taken the decision to partner with United States Beverage to accelerate the growth of our beers and further strengthen our position in the US,” Dougal Sharp, founder of Innis & Gunn said in a statement.
MadTree Brewing, the first modern craft brewery in Ohio to can its beers, has a Public Service Announcement about their canned beer lineup. PSA, which actually stands for Proper Session Ale, is the newest offering in their year-round canned beer portfolio. However, PSA is designed to be a Public Service Announcement that craft beer can be both thoughtful and approachable.
Craft beer maker Inveralmond Brewery, based in the heart of Scotland, is about to make a splash in the USA, thanks to a deal with Iron Horse Beverage. Beginning at the end of March, Iron Horse will distribute Rascal London Porter, one of Inveralmond’s most successful brands, to bars and retail stores in the USA, starting in New York and California. Two more Inveralmond brands will follow in the coming months.
Today, Heineken unveiled a new integrated global marketing campaign known as “There’s more behind the star.” Consumers are invited to discover the authentic product stories that are the foundation of an iconic global brand.
With a goal of making a refreshing session beer that still packs the full flavor of an IPA, the brewers at Alaskan Brewing Company used five hop varieties to create Kicker Session IPA. All that hop flavor is carried with a light to medium malt body and a low 4.5% alcohol content, making Kicker a trusty companion after adventures that can last a full day – which in Alaska can be 24 hours long.
Breakthru Beverage formally expands its holdings today as Wirtz Beverage Nevada joins the company as Breakthru Beverage Nevada. The Nevada transition follows the completion of a significant state licensing process. Breakthru Beverage Group was formed January 1, 2016 through the combination of holdings by Charmer Sunbelt Group and Wirtz Beverage Group. The company and its affiliates span markets across the US and Canada, representing a broad portfolio of premier wine, spirits and beer brands.
Dominion’s Oak Barrel Stout has been in production for over 13 years. In 2016, the 2nd largest brewery in Delaware will refresh the label design of its longest tenured brand to fit its year-round Pin Up Series, which includes Double D Double IPA, Hop Lips IPA, Morning Glory Espresso Stout, and Candi Belgian Tripel.
In March, Wachusett Brewing – via its newly established Craft Cocktail Company DBA — will introduce a line of hard seltzer products under the “Nauti Seltzer” brand identity. Positioning it as a “healthy alternative in the hard soda category,” the 110 calorie, five percent ABV Nauti Seltzer offerings – which will come in raspberry, lemon-lime, grapefruit and cranberry flavors — will have a national focus from the onset and are aimed at health-conscious consumers looking for an alternative to traditional beer.
Creature Comforts Brewing Company is set to release its third variant of Athena Paradiso on draft as well as in 12-ounce cans, later this February. Athena Paradiso’s release marks the company’s fourth brand to ever be packaged in cans, and the first time a limited release will be canned by the brewery. Athena Paradiso is Creature Comforts’ fruited treatment of Athena, the brewery’s acclaimed year-round Berliner Weisse.
