Craft beer is back on New Hampshire’s political docket as state legislators recently introduced a bill that would give some small breweries the ability to sell beer in state-run liquor stores. New Hampshire House Bill 275 would create a two-year pilot program allowing beer produced by the state’s nano breweries and microbreweries to be sold… Read more »
A group of Massachusetts craft brewers knocked on doors at the State House in Boston last Wednesday in an effort to rally support for a bill, HD999: An Act Relative to Small Brewers. Their argument? The growing notion that the legal relationship between brewers and distributors is antiquated, and in need of adaptation.
Looks like second place will suit Sam Calagione just fine. The founder of the “off-center” Dogfish Head Brewery told his distributors that the company is no longer the fastest-growing craft brewery in the company. Instead, over the past five years, the Delaware-based brewer, which grew by 20 percent last year, has the second-highest growth average… Read more »
On-premise retailers can be the gateway for craft breweries looking to establish a strong brand presence in their local markets, but only when they are provided with well-made, well-marketed products that justify switching a tap-handle from an outside brand. That challenge, getting a bar or restaurant to go for a local brand in the face… Read more »
Boulevard Brewing announced today that Steve Mills has been named the vice president of sales for the company. Mills previously held dual roles as chief operating officer and the interim vice president of sales of Boulevard, following the departure of Bob Sullivan, who left the brewery earlier this month.
Following impressive growth through its first full-calendar year, Jack’s Abby Brewing, based in Framingham, Mass., expects continued expansion in 2013. The company, which is the only all-lager brewery in Massachusetts, produced approximately 2,500 bbls in 2012, and according to a press release, expects to increase capacity from 3,500 to 5,500 bbls with the installation of new fermentation tanks.
Knowing how and when to expand have become increasingly challenging issues for craft breweries looking to capitalize on growing consumer thirst for high quality beer. While the temptation to try and grow rapidly is undoubtedly a palpable one, Sean Wilson, founder and “chief executive optimist” of Fullsteam Brewery is focused on a slow and steady… Read more »
Despite declining performance for domestic and imported beer, the craft beer market has risen strongly and appears poised for even greater heights, according to a new report from market research firm Mintel. The report reveals that sales of craft beer more than doubled from $5.7 billion in 2007 to $12 billion in 2012. And the upward trend shouldn’t stop there; Mintel also forecasts that by 2017, craft beer sales will reach $18 billion.
What was once old is new again. As of February 1, MacTarnahan’s Brewing Co. — part of the North American Breweries portfolio that was sold last October to Cerveceria Costa Rica, S.A. for $388 million — will return to its original Portland Brewing Company name.
Craft brewers are incredibility inefficient when it comes to producing beer. And that’s what makes them terrific job creators for cities and towns. At least that’s what Scott Metzger thinks. Metzger, the founder of Freetail Brewing and an adjunct professor of economics at the University of Texas at San Antonio was speaking during a recent… Read more »
With the addition of new brewhouse capacity and positive momentum following the opening of a new tasting room, San Diego-based Coronado Brewing Company today announced plans to expand distribution across Northern California and Washington. Coronado will be distributed by Wine Warehouse in Northern California and Odom Corporation in Washington.
They’ve got a powerful ally in a governor who has sworn to veto it, but a proposed tax hike on beer sold in New Hampshire has nevertheless agitated beer producers and distributors across the state. As proposed, House Bill 168 would raise the excise tax on beer sold from a wholesaler to a retailer by… Read more »
A Connecticut brewery is planning to return to its roots. Thomas Hooker Brewing Company, which is currently located in Bloomfield, Conn., recently announced plans to move its brewing operations back to downtown Hartford.
Overwhelming demand has brought Firestone Walker beer from one giant beer-loving state to another. Firestone Walker Brewing Company announced today that it will begin distributing its beer to Texas over the course of the next two months. The Paso Robles, Calif.-based brewery has partnered with Brown Distributing for distribution in the greater Austin area, and with Andrews Distributing for the Dallas-Fort Worth region.
