News

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for June reflected higher inflation as the impact of the Trump administration’s tariffs began to take hold. The CPI for all goods increased 2.7% year-over-year before seasonal adjustment, growing 0.3% from May’s CPI of 2.4%, according to data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Barrel One Collective is getting a new leader, a little more than six months after the founding of the New England-centric parent company of 15 brands, including Harpoon and Smuttynose. Nathaniel Davis will take the reins as CEO from Harpoon founder Dan Kenary, who will transition to the role of president after an eight-week sabbatical.

Boston Beer revealed a new 10-year sponsorship deal with the Boston Red Sox last Friday for its Samuel Adams brand; Spirits giant Proximo has shifted its California distribution to Breakthru Beverage, which it is with already in CO, MO and NV; New Belgium alum Ramon Tamayo joined Calicraft (Walnut Creek, CA) as head brewer in May; and more headlines

The highly anticipated Independence Day scans are in, and how positive the results are depends on whom you ask and “where one is looking,” according to the latest weekly report from market research firm Circana.

Barstool Sports boss Dave Portnoy is taking a starring role in the launch of PHX, a new 12 oz. canned line that aims to marry hydration and energy drinks.

Former sommeliers at The French Laundry, Ian and Carly Blessing have applied their hospitality expertise to All the Bitter Zero Proof Lounge: a non-alcoholic tasting lounge that combines on-site production of the couple’s bitters line, educational tours, cocktail flights, a full zero-proof bar, local snacks, and a curated NA bottle shop under one roof.

What do you get when you offer a taste of Fear and Loathing to the Shark Tank set? It may look a bit like the Hemp Beverage Expo, which held its second edition last week in Atlanta.

Outlaw Light Beer is aiming to be a disruptor in what its CEO believes is a stale light beer segment. Ari Opsahl, CEO of Outlaw’s parent company, Tivioli Brewing, is a former Anheuser-Busch InBev (A-B) executive. He believes Outlaw has provided light beer drinkers “an alternative at the price point that they were accustomed to” paying.

Once a niche liqueur with roots on the Italian coast, Limoncello is now riding the trend wave of Italian cocktails and liqueurs, and bubbling up on U.S. cocktail menus and store shelves in ready-to-drink (RTD) form.

It’s about time we start this newsletter with some good news, no? Move over Spirit Halloween stores – we’ve found a new use for former brewery space! So, how do y’all feel about, uh, “growing fish” instead of making beer?

Distribution shakeup continues in California. After moving top-selling ready-to-drink (RTD) High Noon Sun Sips over from Republic National Distributing (RNDC) to Reyes Beverage in April, Gallo is making the same move with its spirits portfolio and select wines.

Ales for ALS is proof that collaboration and cause beers can still have a major impact. The Smith Family, owners of Loftus Ranches and an owner of Yakima Chief Hops (YCH), launched the Ales for ALS program more than a decade ago, inspired by personal experiences with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Hendler Family Brewing (HFB) and Sloop Brewing have forged a strategic partnership in which the Framingham, Massachusetts-based brewery platform will take over production, sales and marketing for the Hopewell Junction, New York-based craft brewery’s portfolio, including flagship Juice Bomb IPA (6.5% ABV).

Here’s a collection of news items initially reported in the Insider version of the Brewbound Newsletter between July 9-July 11. Become an Insider today to get earlier access to what’s going on in the industry.