Craft beer industry news.
As a beer company, our brewing culture runs deep. We taste. We homebrew. We celebrate achievements – big and small – with a “cheers,” “prost” or “sláinte.” But even at the biggest beer company around, few people can claim the credentials of Pete Kraemer. Beer is practically in the Kraemer family DNA.
Antitrust regulators in South Africa have once again requested an extension to probe Anheuser-Busch InBev’s impending $106 billion acquisition of the world’s second-largest beer company, SABMiller. The nation’s Competition Commission, which reviews potentially monopolizing transactions in South Africa, today requested a fourth 15-day extension to complete its assessment of the so-called MegaBrew merger.
Foolproof Brewing Company today announced a partnership with Central Distributors, Inc., of Lewiston, Maine. Central will distribute Foolproof’s beers statewide in all markets outside of Portland. With statewide distribution in Maine, Foolproof has expanded its distribution footprint to include all of New England.
Narragansett Beer CEO Mark Hellendrung, the man who resurrected the iconic 125-year old lager brand in 2005, is making good on his pledge to bring production of the beer back to Rhode Island. In an open letter to drinkers posted on his company’s website, Hellendrung wrote that ‘Gansett was “coming home” to Pawtucket, Rhode Island, about 20 minutes from where the company was founded in 1890.
Looking for the perfect summer catch? Look no further than Fly Line Vienna Lager as it hits taps and shelves in cans this April. With its slight hint of malt sweetness and subtle hop flavor, it consists of “reel” summer flavor. Brewed with Crystal and Magnum hops, Fly Line is a refreshing brew for those warm days in the coming months. At 5% ABV and 18 IBU’s, this sessionable golden lager goes down smooth while telling your friends about the one that got away.
Clearwater’s own Sea Dog Brewing Co. today announced the release of its new beer under its sister company’s label – Shipyard’s Florida Brewed Blood Orange – a Belgian style Wit created by Master Brewer Bobby Baker. The brewery will be holding a release party Thursday, April 7 from 3 p.m – 10 p.m., for those beer aficionados who love trying the latest and greatest local brews.
Truly Spiked & Sparkling, a new clean, crisp and refreshing spiked sparkling water is hitting shelves today. With just 100 calories and 2 grams of carbs per serving, Truly Spiked & Sparkling (5% ABV) is the lowest-calorie and lowest-carb spiked sparkling water available, and it’s gluten-free.
A pair of former Arizona beer distributor executives today announced the launch of a new consultancy aimed at helping U.S. craft brewers and wholesalers with strategic business planning. Kimberly Clements, the former owner and CEO of Tucson-based Golden Eagle Distributors before the company was sold to competitor Hensley Beverage in January, and her former vice president of sales and marketing, Daniel Lust, have formed PINTS LLC.
Champagne Velvet, the iconic Indiana beer brand first brewed in 1902 and revived by Upland in 2013, will now be available all year long across the entire Upland Brewing Company distribution territories. The classic American pilsener will be available for purchase in bottled six packs, canned four packs and on tap at establishments in April.
Rogue Ales and Pendleton Woolen Mills have collided to celebrate Oregon’s own natural wonder, Crater Lake National Park, with the launch of Pendleton Pale Ale. Brewed with hops and malts grown on Rogue Farms in Oregon, Pendleton Pale Ale is a crisp and refreshing ode to Oregon’s dramatic Crater Lake National Park that comes in a stunning can featuring a design inspired by Pendleton Woolen Mills’ National Parks Collection.
Boathouse Beverage, LLC announced today that retailers in NYC, Long Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Tennessee (Knoxville, Nashville) will debut single-flavor six-packs of slim cans, a new format for SpikedSeltzer.
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Bell’s Brewery is announcing a distributor change in the Chicagoland area. After eight years, Lakeshore Beverage will assume service for the distribution footprint of Skokie Valley Beverage Co., effective April 4, 2016.
Truly Spiked & Sparkling, a new hard seltzer label produced by craft beer maker Boston Beer Company, has hit liquor store shelves. The company, best known for its Samuel Adams, Angry Orchard, Twisted Tea and Coney Island brands, is expected to make a formal product announcement next Tuesday. Rollouts in 15 additional states — New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, New York, Colorado, New Jersey, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Kansas and Maryland — are also planned or underway, according to the brand’s Facebook page.
