Craft beer industry news.
What a year for craft litigation. Whether it was an attempt to define “craft beer” or efforts to own IPA, 2015 sure had its fair share of notable legal spats. So what do craft-minded attorneys think about the increasing amount of trademark disputes? Brewbound reached out to four of the industry’s leading experts in trademark and copyright law to get their thoughts on 2015.
Self-distribution allows small breweries to build their business at their own pace and maintain direct relationships with the accounts that sell their beer. Ranger Creek has taken full advantage of this Texas beer law, which has allowed them to sell their beer through 115 accounts in the San Antonio area. However, thirsty consumers have created more demand than the brewery’s self-distribution can handle. As a result, the local craft brewery has chosen to work with a distribution partner in their home market.
When it comes to Melvin Brewing — the GABF’s 2015 Brew Pub of the Year —we toast to forward drinking flow. Melvin Brewing has officially launched production of its award-winning beers at their new 20,000-square-foot facility on six acres in Alpine, Wyoming.
After nearly 20 years, Wolaver’s Fine Organic Ales — a pioneering organic craft beer brand that was acquired by Vermont’s Long Trail Brewing in 2010 — has ceased production. Citing the rising cost and availability of organic ingredients, as well as cost-prohibitive production realities, Otter Creek said it would no longer brew the nation’s first USDA-certified organic craft beer brand and will instead focus more energy on accelerating the growth of its recently rebranded Otter Creek line.
Starr Hill Brewery, one of the largest producers of craft beer in the state of Virginia, plans to open a new location in 2017. The new space, a collaborative venture with global real estate developer The Cordish Companies, will be located at the “Waterside District” marketplace currently under construction in Norfolk, VA.
In a year-end note to distributors, Adam Lambert, the former Dogfish Head sales grunt who took his talents to New Holland Brewing late last year, said the Michigan-based craft brewery would be up 24 percent in 2015. The company’s top performing brands include Dragon’s Milk bourbon barrel stout, which was up 48 percent, and Mad Hatter IPA, which was up more than 20 percent. Poet, an oatmeal stout, was also up more than 20 percent, Lambert said.
Rarely do we write, or read, reports of a brewery owner opting to turn the business over to the next generation. As the industry continues to evolve, however, we recognize that some brewery owners might be considering a generational transfer as their primary succession plan. So, to discuss the ins and outs of generational transfers we tapped Deborah Steinthal, the founder and managing director of Scion Advisors, a boutique strategy consulting firm serving private business owners in the food and alcoholic beverage industries.
At 6 am Friday, Jan. 15, 2016, the women of Arizona’s explosive craft brew scene will convene at Tempe’s own Huss Brewing Company in the biggest gathering to date of beer-loving women from breweries across the state. Women from all over the state from over 30 breweries and interest in the industry will work collectively to create the first official all-female-brewed beer in Arizona.
As the 2015 calendar comes to a close, Indeed Brewing Company, established in 2012, reflects on its achievements and aspirations for the upcoming year. The company prepares for 2016 with the arrival and installation of a new 30-foot tall, 210-barrel fermenter, which will be craned in through the roof of the building this Wednesday, December 30th, in what is sure to be a photo- and video-worthy event.
Boulder Beer Company, Colorado’s First Craft Brewery, just added 12-pack bottles to their year round packaging lineup for their top two selling beers – Shake Chocolate Porter and Mojo IPA. The brewery released the new 12-packs in their home state of Colorado this month, with regional markets rolling with them throughout the first part of 2016.
Here’s something we didn’t quite expect to hear from Brew Hub founder Tim Schoen: In the company’s $100 million quest to build out a nationwide network of five contract facilities by 2018, Brew Hub would consider acquisition, and not just construction as a means of establishing a brewing presence in the Northeast, Texas and on the West Coast.
In November 2015, Dry Dock Brewing Company hired George Allen for its newly created position of Director of Sales & Marketing. George comes on board with more than a decade of experience in the craft beer industry.
Portland, Maine is the best place to get a pint, according a new report from SmartAsset, a technology company that recently compiled its own list of the top 25 U.S. cities for beer drinkers.
Octopi Brewing is pleased to announce the launch of its house craft beer brand, 3rd Sign Brewery. As one of the newest beer brands in Wisconsin, 3rd Sign is now available at select restaurants, bars, and retailers in the Madison area, in both four-pack 12-ounce bottles and draft.
