Halfway through 2019, volume growth for small and independent U.S. craft brewers has remained steady at 4 percent, according to data released today by national trade group the Brewers Association (BA). BA chief economist Bart Watson, in a press release, characterized craft brewers’ low- to mid-single-digit craft brewer volume growth as “a similar pattern” to recent years.
Oregon’s Rogue Ales & Spirits launched a line of ready-to-drink (RTD) canned cocktails in key markets, including the Pacific Northwest, last week. Speaking to Brewbound, Rouge’s president, Dharma Tamm, said adding canned mixed drinks to the Newport, Oregon-headquartered craft brewery’s portfolio was a “natural” extension of its business.
In this week’s edition of Last Call: Pyramid owner FIFCO USA settles a lawsuit with its Alehouse staff; Manhattan Beer Distributors and its delivery drivers battle over alleged ‘wage theft;’ Left Hand enters the CBD-infused, non-alcoholic drink market; New Delhi bans A-B InBev for three years; and more news bites.
Average annual raises in the beer industry rank among the highest in the consumer product goods industry, according to recruiting firm ForceBrands’ latest “Beer Talent Market Report.” The New York-based firm’s survey of 111 beer industry professionals — including C-level executives, directors and presidents– found that the beer industry’s average annual raise of 12 percent outpaces the CPG industry average by 2 percent.
Tickets for the 2019 Great American Beer Festival (GABF) are still available a day after going on sale to the public, despite the event’s history of quick sell outs. The slowdown in ticket sales for the Brewers Association’s (BA) largest consumer-facing event of the year, which takes place October 3-5 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, comes as craft beer volume growth has slowed to single digits over the last four years.
Molson Coors released its second-quarter financial results today, but following news of a shakeup at the top of the company, the focus of the multinational beer manufacturer’s call with investors and analysts was on the future direction of the company.
Molson Coors today announced that CEO Mark Hunter will retire effective September 27, according to a press release issued prior to its second quarter earnings call. Gavin Hattersley, the long-time CEO of Molson Coors’ U.S. business unit, MillerCoors, will supplant Hunter as president and CEO effective September 28.
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court last week overturned a lower court ruling that would have allowed retailers to offer discounts on alcoholic beverages purchased in bulk. The order comes two years after Maryland’s Total Wine & More (doing business as Massachusetts Fine Wines & Spirits LLC) successfully challenged the law.
Year-to-date beer category dollar sales are up 3.5 percent, to nearly $19.5 billion, in off-premise retailers tracked by market research firm IRI. According to the Chicago-based firm, three segments — imports (+5.9), flavored malt beverages (+27.7 percent) and domestic super premiums (+12.6 percent) — have achieved nine-figure sales growth through July 14 in its multi-outlet and convenience store universe. In fact, dollar sales of FMBs, including popular hard seltzers, have topped $1.9 billion so far this year.
In this week’s Last Call: Angry Orchard’s security is accused of racial profiling; June U.S. beer shipments decline; Peter Coors calls for government to intervene on aluminum pricing in op-ed; Facebook imposes new alcohol restrictions; and more news.
Next week, Boston Beer plans to launch a national advertising campaign for Truly, featuring comedian Keegan-Michael Key, whom CEO Dave Burwick said will “bring a little bit of personality” to the brand.
Boston Beer Company reported second-quarter depletions (sales-to-retailers) and shipments (sales-to-wholesalers) growth of 17 percent, according to financial results issued after the end of trading today. Through the first 26 weeks of 2019, Boston Beer’s depletions (+15 percent) and shipments (+23 percent) are up due to its Truly Hard Seltzer and Twisted Tea brands.
Anheuser-Busch InBev today reported global revenue growth of 6.2 percent in the second quarter of 2019, despite ongoing volume declines in the U.S. A-B, the world’s largest beer manufacturer, recorded revenues of more than $13.9 billion during the quarter, and a gross profit of $8.7 billion. The company credited “healthy volume growth, global premiumization and revenue management initiatives” for its increased revenue worldwide.
The Canarchy Craft Brewery Collective – whose brands include Oskar Blues, Cigar City, Deep Ellum, Perrin Brewing, Three Weavers, and Utah Brewers Cooperative (Wasatch and Squatters) – continued its growth through the midway point of 2019. Speaking to Brewbound, Canarchy president Matt Fraser said portfolio-wide depletions were up 13 percent through the first six months of the year.
