Editor’s Note: These items appeared in Brewbound Insider Newsletter between October 13-16.
Dan Kleban Suspends Senate Campaign
Maine Beer Co. co-founder Dan Kleban is exiting the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate and endorsing Gov. Janet Mills.
Kleban said in the announcement: “While our message was right, the timing wasn’t. But this isn’t the end of my fight. Maine has given me so much, and I intend to keep giving back through public service. I remain committed to serving Maine and advancing the values of respect, fairness and leaving our kids a better world than the one we inherited.”
Kleban’s Senate bid ends a little more than a month after he entered the race. He added that he believes Mills can unseat incumbent Susan Collins for the seat.
Mills faces a primary challenge from oyster farmer and military vet Grant Platner.
BrewDog Layoffs Hit the U.S. Biz
BrewDog’s global layoffs have extended to its U.S. operations, BrewDog USA CEO Anne Wiseman confirmed to Brewbound. She did not specify how many jobs were affected, but clarified that “there are no taproom closures, and our distribution continues as normal.”
Across the pond, the BBC reported that BrewDog recorded a £37 million loss last year and a loss of £148 million in the last five years.
To offset, the Scottish craft brewery has sold the estate it bought in 2020 as a conservation project to be supported by Lost Forest Lager, the BBC reported. The outlet could not confirm how many jobs BrewDog has cut.
People Moves: Sunset Distributing Promotes Michael Blumfield to GM
Hand Family Companies’ Sunset Distributing has appointed Michael Blumfield as GM, president and CEO JR Hand confirmed with Brewbound.
Blumfield had served on Sunset’s management team as senior director of sales and marketing. He was previously the president of Classic Beverage. Hand said the company is interviewing to backfill Blumfield’s previous role.
Brian Fried, who led Sunset following the acquisitions and combination of Stone Distributing and Classic, and later Scout Distribution in Los Angeles, has exited the company. He had led Stone Distributing since October 31, 2022.
On the Move: Andrews Picks Up Outlaw in Texas
Tivoli Brewing’s Outlaw Light Beer is now available in North and South Texas via Andrews Distributing.
The partnership makes Outlaw’s 12, 16 and 24 oz. cans of Outlight Light and 12 oz. cans of Outlaw Light Beer Tea to thousands of Texans in those markets.
Andrews EVP of strategic partnerships David Holt said: “Outlaw Light embodies a bold, independent spirit that authentically connects with the local Texas communities we serve. We’re looking forward to deepening those connections even more with beer lovers in our markets while collaborating with the Outlaw team to continue its exceptional growth.”
New on Shelves: Lawson’s and Crowns & Hops Partner on Illumin-8
The latest brewery to join Crowns & Hops’ (Inglewood, CA) 8 Trill Initiative via a collaboration beer is Lawson’s Finest Liquids (Waitsfield, VT). The breweries debuted Illumin-8 West Coast IPA on Black Brewers Day (October 10) at the Great American Beer Festival (GABF).
After GABF, the beer will be available on draft and in 16 oz. can 4-packs in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Proceeds of sales of Illumin-8 will go to the 8 Trill Initiative, which Crowns & Hops co-founders Beny Ashburn and Teo Hunter started in 2020 to support Black craft beer entrepreneurs as a way to close the $8 trillion GDP gap created by systemic racism.
Ashburn and Lawson’s founder Sean Lawson poured the beer for festgoers last week in Denver.