News

Craft beer industry news.

Beer Institute Partners with Members of Congress to Reduce Drunk Driving

The holiday season is always a time of festive gatherings, celebrations and parties. This makes it the right time to remind people to drink responsibly and to not drive drunk. To help send that message, the Beer Institute is partnering with members of Congress to record and distribute public service announcements asking the public to share our industry’s Commitment to Responsibility.

Sudwerk Donates More than $10,000 to Charity in 2014

DAVIS, Calif. – Sudwerk Brewing Co. set a company record this year for charitable giving, and its taproom, The Dock Store, became a popular venue for community fundraisers. Sudwerk donated more than $10,000 to community groups in 2014, much of it from events hosted at The Dock. It supported other fundraisers through community partnerships. Co-owner… Read more »

Baxter Expands Distribution to New York

Baxter Expands Distribution to New York

Baxter Brewing has announced plans to expand distribution to New York per two partnerships with a pair of L. Knife and Son wholesalers. Having just rounded out its presence in New England, the 4-year-old Maine brewery, which produces an all-canned lineup of beers, has inked deals with Union Beer Distributors and Craft Beer Guild Distributing for coverage throughout New York City and the Hudson River Valley respectively.

Ball Corporation Appoints New Senior Vice President

Ball (NYSE: BLL) today announced that Erik Bouts, 53, will join the company as senior vice president, Ball Corporation, and chief operating officer, global metal beverage packaging, effective Feb. 1, 2015. Bouts will report directly to John A. Hayes, chairman, president and CEO and he will be based in Zurich, Switzerland.

Kansas City’s Boulevardia Set to Return in 2015

Today, creators of the three-day festival announce that Boulevardia will be back in 2015 on Father’s Day weekend, June 19-21, once again in the historic West Bottoms. The gathering will include popular elements of the 2014 event while adding more unique experiences for all who attend.

Capital Brewery Announces Grand Opening of ‘Terrace Avenue Festival Zone’

Capital Brewery Company, Inc. and the City of Middleton are proud to announce the grand opening of the Terrace Avenue Festival Zone and Market Arcade. The Festival Zone delineates a section of Terrace Avenue adjacent to Capital Brewery and the Market Arcade includes a portion of the Capital Beer Garden parking lot. Both areas were part of the reconstruction work on Terrace Avenue from Parmenter Street to High Point Avenue that commenced in June of 2014.

Steamworks Expands ‘Firkin Friday’ Program

As a special feature during ski season, Steamworks Brewing Co. has partnered with Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort to expand Firkin Friday, the specialty beer event that features the tapping of a unique, limited edition craft brew each month.

A Year of Deals Has Popular Craft Retailer Restocking Its Shelves

A Year of Deals Has Popular Craft Retailer Restocking Its Shelves

Effective the first day of the New Year, Craft Beer Cellar, a small chain of craft-centric retailers headquartered in Massachusetts, will no longer exclude beers from its shelves based solely on who owns the brand. Since its inception in 2010, the company has sold only beer that fits the Brewers Association’s (BA) definition of craft beer.

Flying Dog Plans to Launch Experimental “Farmworks” Brewery in Virginia

Flying Dog Plans to Launch Experimental “Farmworks” Brewery in Virginia

As breweries in the craft beer sector continue to flourish, established companies, like the 25-year-old Flying Dog, are doubling down and looking to further capitalize on growth with entirely new brewery ventures. The Frederick, Md. beer company yesterday announced plans to launch Farmworks Brewery, a self-described “unique farm brewery destination” located in Lucketts, Va.

Ithaca to Release Daydreamer

Ithaca Beer Co. kicks off its 2015 Seasonal offerings with Ithaca Daydreamer, an American style Kolsch. Originating from Cologne (Köln), Germany, the Kölsch style was historically only brewed along the Rhine (Rhein) River and fairly light in alcohol at 4.5-5.5% abv.

Bell’s Expands Southern California Footprint

Bell’s Expands Southern California Footprint

Bell’s Brewery has announced plans to expand its presence in southern California in early 2015 per a partnership with Craft Brewer’s Guild of Los Angeles, a wing of L. Knife and Son’s national craft wholesale network. Beginning Feb. 23, all of Bell’s products will be available throughout Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties, depending on their release dates.

Manhattan Beer’s Windmill Acquisition has New York Bodegas, Beverage Centers Fearful

Manhattan Beer’s Windmill Acquisition has New York Bodegas, Beverage Centers Fearful

Two of the largest beer wholesalers in New York City are working to consolidate, creating one company that will control approximately half of the city’s beer market — but not everyone is happy about it. In a note to suppliers, Manhattan Beer Distributors announced Tuesday that it has entered into a formal agreement with Windmill Distributing (PhoenixBeehive Beverage Distributors), to acquire the company’s beer brand distribution rights.

SweetWater to Expand Distribution Throughout Chicago

SweetWater to Expand Distribution Throughout Chicago

SweetWater Brewing has announced plans to expand distribution throughout Chicago in early 2015, the first in a slew of new markets the Atlanta brewery plans to launch in the first quarter of the New Year. The brewery has partnered with Lakeshore Beverage for coverage in the area, which, beginning in the spring, will distribute draft and packaged offerings — including flagships 420 Extra Pale Ale and SweetWater IPA — throughout the city.