Inflationary cost pressures and higher year-over-year retail prices have caught up with consumers in North America, especially in the U.S., and the world’s largest can manufacturer is seeing “lower” than expected demand and “less consumption across the board,” Ball Corp. CEO Dan Fisher told analysts Thursday.

Monster Beverage Company reported +15.2% year-over-year sales growth in the third quarter, even as increased expenses and cost of goods continue to drag on the energy drink maker’s margins despite price increases.

Spirits portfolio company Next Century Spirits has acquired XED Beverages, the maker of cocktail-inspired hard seltzer brand Sesh.

Attorneys general from Washington state and the District of Columbia are seeking to temporarily block a $4 billion payout to Albertsons’ shareholders on November 7, filing lawsuits this week to put a hold on the cash dividend at least until the grocery giant’s proposed merger with Kroger can be reviewed by federal regulators.

Following the Winking Lizard Tavern’s annual announcement of its beer menu for 2023, founder John Lane shares how the event shook out, who left the day happiest, the one beer that is untouchable on the Winking Lizard’s menus, the inflationary pressures on draft beer, changes to its Tour of Beers program and much more.

Leisuretown, Modern Times’ Anaheim, California-based taproom, complete with a swimming pool, has closed, Brewbound has confirmed.

We’re fewer than 30 days away from the 2022 Brewbound Live business conference in Santa Monica. To allow for additional networking time in a casual setting, we’re hosting three Brewbound Live parties filled with beer, booch, and business conversations.

American Canning, an Austin, Texas-based aluminum can and packaging supplies provider, has signed a supply agreement with global can manufacturer Ball Corp. as an “official distributor” of blank and printed brite cans.

Another soda company is testing the beverage-alcohol market – this time with the world’s largest beer manufacturer. Novamex, the maker of Mexican soda brand Jarritos, is partnering with Anheuser-Busch InBev (A-B) to launch Cantaritos Hard Sodas in California and Texas markets next spring.

Diageo has acquired Waco, Texas-based whiskey maker Balcones Distilling in a cash transaction, the company announced today.

Our next virtual networking event is on Thursday, November 10th from 3:00 – 4:00 PM ET. Beer and beverage-alcohol brands have the opportunity to learn from CPG investors, hard-to-reach retail buyers, and other experts providing advice on topics like packaging, branding, and PR strategy.

Data from beer-centric social media platform Untappd, which tracks where and when users drink beer, shows that traffic at brewery taprooms has recovered to 117% of January 2019 levels.

Molson Coors CEO Gavin Hattersley declared the U.S. consumer “remains resilient,” as trade up to premium offerings continues and there aren’t signs of “significant channel shifting,” during the beverage-alcohol producer’s Q2 earnings report today.

Campari Group is boosting its Kentucky bourbon portfolio by taking a majority stake in Wilderness Trail Distillery, the company announced today. The move comes at a time when American whiskey continues to rise, and particularly higher-priced brands.