Hard seltzer dollar sales at convenience stores are increasing at nearly double the rates of the rest of the off-premise retailers tracked by market research firm NielsenIQ. Over the last four weeks(ending February 6), off-premise dollar sales of hard seltzers increased 105% at convenience stores compared to the same period last year, while sales increased 55.9% in food (+55.9%) and 59.9% in drug stores.
Industry veterans Ethan Stienstra and Dan Kiefer today officially launched their next endeavor, Ahead of the Curve Strategy, a Denver-based consulting firm that aims to apply their big brand knowledge to smaller craft breweries and beverage alcohol producers.
Ten hard kombucha makers are linking up to launch a national campaign to drive awareness and education of the emerging segment over the next five days in the lead up to “World Kombucha Day” on February 21.
The lemonade seltzer competition is picking up, as White Claw maker Mark Anthony Brands announced today that its Mike’s Hard Lemonade Seltzer brand extension is now hitting retail shelves nationwide. Meanwhile, RBC Capital’s Nik Modi recently shared a study that found the hard seltzer segment “is far from its peak and could grow another 150% by 2025.”
Several pieces of legislation working their ways through Congress would bring much needed relief to the hospitality industry — including breweries, brewpubs and taprooms — as they continue to struggle during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Boston Beer Company announced a truly sweet round of bonuses for its top executives last week, as well as their 2021 salaries. The SEC filing also revealed that Boston Beer hired consulting firm Frederic W. Cook & Co. last year to review the total compensation being paid to CEO Dave Burwick.
Grupo Modelo, the Mexican business division of Anheuser-Busch InBev, has filed a lawsuit against Constellation Brands, alleging that the company is “misusing and misappropriating” the Corona trademark with Corona Hard Seltzer.
After 15 years, Port Brewing LLC (Port Brewing and The Lost Abbey) notified Stone Distributing last week that it was giving 60 days’ notice and terminating its distribution contract without cause.
Morganton, North Carolina-based Catawba Brewing Company acquired Skytown Beer Company, a brewpub in Wilmington, North Carolina, in a deal that closed February 10. Fifteen months after retrenching to focus on its brewpub, Boulder Beer’s portfolio will return to distribution in 28 states through a partnership with Stem Ciders and contract brewer Sleeping Giant in Denver.
Stone Brewing Company chief commercial officer Dan Lamb will exit the company next month. The San Diego craft brewery is reorganizing its sales and marketing departments and the chief commercial officer will no longer exist in the new structure.
The CANarchy Craft Brewery Collective is making an aggressive bet on its portfolio of hard seltzers in 2021, with a goal of producing 150,000 barrels this year, chief commercial officer Chris Russell told Brewbound.
Pointing to on-premise closures and capacity restraints due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Molson Coors Beverage Company posted net sales declines for both the full year and the fourth quarter of 2020.
Did this year’s crop of Super Bowl beer commercials score or fumble? This week’s Brewbound Podcast dives into beer ads during Super Bowl LV with Ad Age assistant managing editor E.J. Schultz. Rabobank analyst Bourcard Nesin also stops by to discuss Uber’s $1.1 billion deal to acquire Drizly.
Several beverage alcohol trade groups are speaking out against a bill that would grant the U.S. Postal Service the ability to ship beer, wine and spirits.
