Editor’s note: The below news items have been reported in the Insider version of the Brewbound Newsletter between June 23-24. Become an Insider today!
Breakthru Activates ‘Contingency Plans’ Amid Florida Driver Strike
Following the Teamsters saying its Florida strike at Breakthru Beverage had spread to six other states, a Breakthru spokesperson shared the following statement disputing that the strike has spread and saying the company has “activated contingency plans to ensure “uninterrupted service” and minimal disruption to our business and partners.”
The spokesperson said: “It is unfortunate that the North Florida drivers, represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, have brought a dispute from Florida to other Breakthru markets through a picket line extension. The strike itself remains limited to North Florida; any claims that other Breakthru locations are striking are inaccurate.
“In the meantime, we have activated contingency plans to ensure continued service and minimal disruption to our business and partners. At the highest level of our organization, we are committed to doing the right thing for our associates while ensuring a strong and sustainable business.”
On the Move: O&W Gets Yuengling in SE Michigan
Yuengling is headed to Michigan, partnering with O&W.
The long-expected expansion will begin with a draft roll out in bars and restaurants in Southeastern Michigan on August 11, with packaged beer expected to hit off-premise retailers on September 15, O&W shared on Facebook.
A year ago, Yuengling swapped territories with its joint venture with Molson Coors, trading its Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi territories to the JV in exchange for Michigan, which the company had not yet entered.
AleSmith Enters Georgia
AleSmith (San Diego, CA) is now available statewide in Georgia, via craft distributor Modern Hops, the brewery announced last week on LinkedIn.
Look for package and draft of AleSmith staples in the Peach State, including IPA, Speedway Stout, Barrel-Aged Speedway Stout: Monster’s Park Chocolate Espresso Edition, and Barrel-Aged Speedway Stout: Vanilla Shake Edition.
Dad Strength Featured on CBS Mornings
Dad Strength, the purveyor of 2.8% to 2.9% ABV IPAs, was recently profiled in a Father’s Day feature on CBS Mornings. Founders Ryan Kutscher and Craig Carey shared why dad life in their mid-30s didn’t mix with full-strength craft beers and how that led to them creating lower-ABV beers with a “sweet spot” to still get a buzz but not a hangover.
Atlas Brew Works brews Dad Strength’s beers, which are now sold in 300 stores around Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C.
Brewbound Live attendees may remember Dad Strength from their pitch last December (see the pitch at 14:45)