Brewbound Live 2026 Speakers

Columbia Distributing chief strategy officer Jesse Ferber, Bump Williams Consulting president Dave Williams and Hand Family Companies president and CEO J.R. Hand graced the Brewbound Live stage last month to discuss the state of beer, how to strengthen relationships between suppliers and distributors and what industry members are prioritizing in 2026.

Amidst all the fast-growing beverage categories and trends, there’s only one that’s facing a ticking clock towards extinction. The future of the thriving cannabis beverage industry, specifically hemp-derived THC drinks that can be sold outside of adult-use regulated channels, is under intense pressure following November’s decision by Congress to effectively ban all hemp-derived products even... Read more »

How can a dialed-in strategy help smaller brands thrive? NIQ director of bev-alc thought leadership Kaleigh Theriault and CGA bev-alc vertical director Drew Hummel will unpack how pricing, innovation and consumer occasions collide at Brewbound Live 2025. Their presentation will offer insights for leaders of emerging and established bev-alc brands to find success at retail.

It’s time to introduce the judges for Brewbound’s signature pitch competition, the Brewbound Live Pitch Slam, taking place during Brewbound Live in L.A. December 10+11. Hundreds will be there and time is running out to register.

Brewbound Live 2025 is your opportunity to hear insights from and interact with two of the largest beer and beverage distributors in the U.S. Hand Family Companies president and CEO JR Hand and Columbia Distributing chief strategy officer Jesse Ferber will share the bev-alc trendlines they’re watching, as well as how they’re approaching their respective portfolios.

The full agenda for Brewbound Live 2025, taking place on December 10+11 in L.A., is now available. Beverage-alcohol suppliers, wholesalers, retailers, data providers and advisory firms will provide actionable takeaways to help you prepare for success in 2026 and beyond.

The multi-brand business model has grown in popularity for years, but in 2025, craft brewers’ “safety in numbers” mindset has come into its own. Hendler Family Brewing Company and Wilding Brands have been at the forefront of these regional partnership strategies. At Brewbound Live 2025, Hendler Family Brewing co-founder and CEO Sam Hendler and Wilding Brands chief development officer Charlie Berger will share their strategies, the advantages and pitfalls of these transactions and how they’re approaching future deals.

It’s time to reveal the finalists for the Brewbound Live Pitch Slam, our business pitch competition for beer and beverage-alcohol brands. They will compete during Brewbound Live 2025, taking place on December 10 + 11 in L.A.

Leaders from Garage Beer, JuneShine Brands and Rupee Beer will share their strategies during Brewbound Live 2025, December 10 + 11 in Los Angeles.

At Brewbound Live 2025, New Belgium CMO Rebecca Dye Yonushonis will share the ways the brewery is attempting to solve the industry’s fun crisis, what the company has learned about shopping patterns and why a one-size-fits-all approach to beer’s top channels doesn’t work in 2025.