Craft beer industry news.
Rick Boelter announced that Boelter has furthered its commitment to the brewing industry by adding Chrislan Ceramics and its related businesses to The Boelter Companies. Chrislan was founded in 1987 and has become the leading manufacturer and supplier of ceramic tap handles, decorated glassware and insulated growlers to the brewing industry. Chrislan’s manufacturing facility is located in the greater Vancouver area – Maple Ridge, BC Canada
Scottish brewery Innis & Gunn yesterday announced United States Beverage LLC as its new U.S. importer. The brewery’s line of oak-aged beers had previously been imported through its own Innis & Gunn USA affiliate. “Following a thorough review of our own business within the US and the fast changing US beer market, we have taken the decision to partner with United States Beverage to accelerate the growth of our beers and further strengthen our position in the US,” Dougal Sharp, founder of Innis & Gunn said in a statement.
MadTree Brewing, the first modern craft brewery in Ohio to can its beers, has a Public Service Announcement about their canned beer lineup. PSA, which actually stands for Proper Session Ale, is the newest offering in their year-round canned beer portfolio. However, PSA is designed to be a Public Service Announcement that craft beer can be both thoughtful and approachable.
Craft beer maker Inveralmond Brewery, based in the heart of Scotland, is about to make a splash in the USA, thanks to a deal with Iron Horse Beverage. Beginning at the end of March, Iron Horse will distribute Rascal London Porter, one of Inveralmond’s most successful brands, to bars and retail stores in the USA, starting in New York and California. Two more Inveralmond brands will follow in the coming months.
Today, Heineken unveiled a new integrated global marketing campaign known as “There’s more behind the star.” Consumers are invited to discover the authentic product stories that are the foundation of an iconic global brand.
With a goal of making a refreshing session beer that still packs the full flavor of an IPA, the brewers at Alaskan Brewing Company used five hop varieties to create Kicker Session IPA. All that hop flavor is carried with a light to medium malt body and a low 4.5% alcohol content, making Kicker a trusty companion after adventures that can last a full day – which in Alaska can be 24 hours long.
Breakthru Beverage formally expands its holdings today as Wirtz Beverage Nevada joins the company as Breakthru Beverage Nevada. The Nevada transition follows the completion of a significant state licensing process. Breakthru Beverage Group was formed January 1, 2016 through the combination of holdings by Charmer Sunbelt Group and Wirtz Beverage Group. The company and its affiliates span markets across the US and Canada, representing a broad portfolio of premier wine, spirits and beer brands.
Dominion’s Oak Barrel Stout has been in production for over 13 years. In 2016, the 2nd largest brewery in Delaware will refresh the label design of its longest tenured brand to fit its year-round Pin Up Series, which includes Double D Double IPA, Hop Lips IPA, Morning Glory Espresso Stout, and Candi Belgian Tripel.
In March, Wachusett Brewing – via its newly established Craft Cocktail Company DBA — will introduce a line of hard seltzer products under the “Nauti Seltzer” brand identity. Positioning it as a “healthy alternative in the hard soda category,” the 110 calorie, five percent ABV Nauti Seltzer offerings – which will come in raspberry, lemon-lime, grapefruit and cranberry flavors — will have a national focus from the onset and are aimed at health-conscious consumers looking for an alternative to traditional beer.
Creature Comforts Brewing Company is set to release its third variant of Athena Paradiso on draft as well as in 12-ounce cans, later this February. Athena Paradiso’s release marks the company’s fourth brand to ever be packaged in cans, and the first time a limited release will be canned by the brewery. Athena Paradiso is Creature Comforts’ fruited treatment of Athena, the brewery’s acclaimed year-round Berliner Weisse.
After a banner 2015 in boxing, Tecate, the Mexican beer with bold flavor, announced today it will enter 2016 as the exclusive beer and presenting sponsor for Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions and has signed an endorsement contract with boxing’s biggest star, current WBC, RING Magazine and Lineal Middleweight Champion and Golden Boy Promotions fighter, Canelo Alvarez.
Heretic Brewing Company, Fairfield, CA is expanding distribution to Massachusetts and Rhode Island with Atlantic Importing of Framingham, MA beginning February 29, 2106.
Today, Anheuser-Busch announced the upcoming launch of Best Damn Cherry Cola, the second national offering from Best Damn Brewing Co. Hitting shelves March 7, Best Damn Cherry Cola is aged on whole cherries after brewing for a flavorful, harder take on the timeless taste of cherry cola.
Odell Brewing has partnered with Johnson Brothers to bring the Colorado-based brewery’s beers to Iowa. Distribution will include both draft and package available throughout the entire state starting in April.
