Editor’s Note: The below news items were initially reported in the Brewbound Insider Newsletter between September 22-23. Become an Insider today to get earlier access to what’s going on in the industry.
New Belgium Invests $20M in Bell’s Facility, Taproom
New Belgium Brewing is investing $20 million in Bell’s Brewery’s Kalamazoo production facility and Eccentric Cafe taproom, Crain’s Grand Rapids Business reported.
The company has earmarked $18 million in upgrades for the production brewery aimed at adding capacity, and $2 million for the Eccentric Cafe to improve its beer garden and storage, the outlet reported. Those projects are expected to run through 2027.
New Belgium invested $6.2 million in automated production equipment in 2024, which added the ability to produce 2.5 million variety pack cases per year, Crain’s reported. The latest investment round will add automation to the brewery cellar and brewhouse, replace keg lines and update the facility’s centrifuge, Bell’s brand director Chris Brimmage told the outlet.
Reyes and Infinium Spirits Partner in Florida
The Reyes Beverage Group will begin distributing Infinium Spirits’ portfolio in Florida starting in December. The new deal is an extension of Reyes and Infinium’s partnership in California.
Infinium’s brands include Templeton Rye Whiskey, Seagram’s Vodka, Tequila Corralejo, Howler Head, Tears of Llorona, Torres and Zaya Rum.
Infinium president Jan Tharp said: “We are cultivating a powerful partnership with Reyes Beverage Group in California and are excited to extend this collaboration into Florida. Together, we will strengthen our portfolio’s reach and deliver impactful growth for our customers.”
Michelob Ultra Now No. 1 Beer Brand By Volume
Anheuser-Busch InBev’s (A-B) Michelob Ultra is now the No. 1 beer brand by volume, now ahead of sibling brand Bud Light in year-to-date (YTD) dollar and case sales.
The milestone is from the combination of continued Bud Light declines (dollar sales -9%, volume -9.9% YTD) – which started before the 2023 conservative-led boycott of the brand that accelerated losses – and consistent Michelob Ultra growth (dollar sales +4.7%, volume +4.4%) following A-B’s shift in brand priorities.
Constellation Brands’ Modelo Especial remains the No. 1 brand by dollar sales, a title it took in 2023 following the aforementioned Bud Light boycott. The Mexican import brand is down single-digits YTD (dollar sales -2.3%, volume -4.4%) and ranks No. 3 in volume.
Modelo is also the No. 1 beer brand family by YTD dollar sales, and No. 2 by volume, while the Bud brand family ranks No. 2 in dollar sales and No. 1 in volume – significantly outpacing the Michelob brand family, which ranks No. 3 in dollars and volume.
Goldman Sachs: Molson Coors CEO Pick Rahul Goyal ‘Strategic Positive”
Goldman Sachs analyst Bonnie Herzog called the promotion of Molson Coors chief strategy officer Rahul Goyal to president and CEO “a strategic positive” for the company.
Herzog cited Goyal’s role as the “driving force behind many of the company’s most successful recent ventures, including leading the company’s beyond beer ambition by building successful partnerships” with Coca-Cola and Fever-Tree and guiding the acquisitions of non-alc brands ZOA and Naked Life.
Herzog wrote: “While we recognize that the beer category has been under pressure recently, which has weighed on the stock, we remain encouraged by TAP’s progress on its transformation journey as it advances its strategy to premiumize and diversify its portfolio beyond beer – a key area of focus where we believe Mr. Goyal can deliver continued growth.”
Catch up on Goyal’s appointment here.
MobCraft Reopens in Milwaukee
MobCraft Beer (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) reopened under new ownership last week, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Former MobCraft HR and finance director Sarah Halstead and her husband Michael Halstead acquired the brewery in April for $160,000.
The brewery was closed from November 2024 until September 12.
They wrote on Facebook: “This brewery has always meant so much to us, and we can’t wait to carry forward its tradition, while adding our own fresh ideas. Expect the same great beer you love, plus some fun new twists, events, and reasons to gather with friends and family.”
MobCraft produced 1,944 barrels in 2024, according to Brewers Association data.
Nectar Brings Soju to the Party
Asian-American-founded hard seltzer brand Nectar is expanding into high ABV and the ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktail category.
The Los Angeles-based company – known for its heavy internet presence and unique social media marketing – has launched Nectar SoJuice, a soju-based RTD.
Here are the stats:
- 8.8% ABV
- Available in 4 flavors: White Peach Rambutan, Calamansi Watermelon, Yuzu Umeboshi and Lychee Lime;
- Sold at retail and DTC in a 12 oz. slim can variety 8-pack (SRP $19.99);
Nectar first added to its portfolio last year with Hard Juice, a 6% ABV line of sugar-based, non-carbonated beverages available in Lilikoi Passionfruit, Lychee Lilikoi, Jingle Juice and Passionfruit Orange.
Nectar dollar sales (+8.7%) and volume (+7.6%) are both in the black YTD, according to NIQ off-premise data shared by 3 Tier Beverages (data ending August 9).
BevNET spirits editor Ferron Salniker recently dove into the rise in soju-based RTDs. Read the story here.