Editor’s Note: The below news items were initially reported in the Insider version of the Brewbound Newsletter between August 14-15. Become an Insider today to get earlier access to what’s going on in the industry.
Arizona’s Huss Brewing (Tempe) and PHX Beer Co. (Scottsdale) have merged to create Zonafide Beverages, the companies announced Wednesday.
Both brands will continue to operate individually, the Phoenix Business Journal reported. They already share a statewide distributor, Crescent Crown.
Also wrapped under the Zonafide umbrella are Papago Brewing, Sonoran Brewing and Chestnut Sports Club.
PHX president Steve Robbins will lead the new company. He joined PHX in May 2024, aware that merger plans were in the works, according to the report.
Huss Brewing co-founder Jeff Huss will lead joint brewing operations, which will be based in Tempe, Craft Brewing Business reported.
Huss produced 24,112 barrels of beer in 2024 (-2% year-over-year [YoY]), according to the Brewers Association (BA). PHX produced 2,844 barrels (no YoY comps shared).
Belgium Comes to Cooperstown Canceled
Brewery Ommegang’s Belgium Comes to Cooperstown (BCTC) beer festival has been canceled. The event was slated to take place at the brewery over the weekend of August 22.
The brewery said all ticket holders will be fully refunded and contacted directly.
The company said: “For ticketholders who will still be in Cooperstown that weekend, we hope to share a beer with you at the brewery. Please show your proof of ticket purchase to enjoy your first full pour or flight of beers on us.”
BCTC returned in 2024 after a five year hiatus. The 2019 event was canceled with the intent to reimagine the festival in 2020, motivated by other renovations and updates to Ommegang’s taproom, branding and packaging. However, the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 delayed BCTC’s return.
In a statement to Brewbound, a spokesperson clarified that slow ticket sales were the cause of the cancellation.
“Brewery Ommegang has always strived to provide great shows and experiences, and we hold ourselves and our vendors to the highest standards,” the spokesperson said. “Cancelling BCTC was a difficult and disappointing decision for us to make. Unfortunately, due to lower than projected ticket sales, it became impossible to deliver the high-quality event and experience that our guests expect and deserve. We know those who purchased tickets are as passionate about Belgian beer as we are, but ultimately, overall ticket sales for the event fell short.”
North Coast Taps Jeff Robinson to Lead Sales
North Coast Brewing (Fort Bragg, California) has promoted Jeff Robinson to national sales director, following the departure of long-time VP of sales Chris Hudson, the company shared on LinkedIn.
The brewery wrote: “Jeff has been a key leader within our sales team, consistently demonstrating strong vision, commitment and drive. We’re confident in his ability to lead us into our next phase of growth.”
Robinson joined North Coast in April 2016 after stints at the Acoustic Ales Brewing Experiment and Wine Warehouse California. North Coast was the 65th largest regional craft brewery in the country in 2024, producing 38,374 barrels of beer, according to data from the Brewers Association (BA).