When words like “pathetic,” “feckless” and “sub-mediocrity” start getting tossed around, one can assume the spark is well and truly gone. That’s how Bang CEO Jack Owoc summed up the current relationship between his energy drink brand and PepsiCo in an interview with Beverage Digest following the announcement last month that Bang was unilaterally exiting the distribution agreement only a few months after the contract was signed.
As COVID-19 cases spike, California has enacted a new regional stay home order that went into effect Sunday night and affects 85% of the state’s population. Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a new system that would trigger regional stay home orders when hospitals’ projected intensive care unit capacity dips below 15%. That threshold was met Sunday in the Southern California and San Joaquin Valley regions.
National not-for-profit trade ground the Brewers Association (BA) today announced the organization’s priorities and initiatives for 2021. The BA, which promotes the interests of small and independent craft brewing companies, shared in an email to members that its board of directors held its final meeting of 2020 in which the organization’s 2021 budget was approved and the trade group’s agenda and priorities for the new year were set.
Dr. J Jackson-Beckham has joined the Brewers Association (BA) as equity and inclusion partner, a new full-time role created to “help promote greater diversity, equity and inclusion in the craft brewing industry,” according to a press release. Following the retirement of long-time executive director Tom McCormick, the California Craft Brewers Association (CCBA) has hired Lori Ajax as its next executive director, effective January 4, 2021.
The Brewbound Live Winter 2020 agenda is now available. The two-day program on Monday, December 14, and Tuesday, December 15, will feature presentations, brand panels, virtual networking and Investor Speed Dating. Featured speakers include New Belgium CEO Steve Fechheimer, Denizens Brewing co-founder Julie Verratti and market research firm Nielsen and Nielsen CGA, as well as panel discussions with leaders from retailers (goPuff, Walgreens), emerging beverage companies (Five Drinks, Lone River Beverage Company, Cann, Future Proof) and more.
The CANarchy Brewery Collective has forged its first non-alcoholic beverage partnership. The craft brewery rollup announced today a master distribution agreement with Revitalyte, a recovery beverage sold in convenience and liquor stores that is targeted to those seeking a remedy for hangovers and athletes looking for a recovery drink.
With the annual Brewbound Live business conference less than two weeks away, the Brewbound team shares the schedule for the two-day event during the latest edition of the Brewbound Podcast.
2020 will see Captain Pabst’s final voyage. Pabst Brewing Company announced yesterday that the Captain Pabst Pilot House, its Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based brewery, taproom and event space, will permanently close on December 21.
The night before Thanksgiving — typically a popular night for people who have returned to their hometowns for the holiday to crowd local bars for impromptu reunions — brought on-premise establishments a boost by 2020 standards, according to BeerBoard, which tracks draft sales at bars and restaurants.
Molson Coors Beverage Company will begin distributing offerings from Eugene, Oregon-based Hop Valley Brewing east in 2021, as the company’s Tenth and Blake craft division takes the brand national in the new year.
Eugene, Oregon-based Ninkasi Brewing Company has instituted “organizational and operational changes” over the last month that has led to cuts within its field sales, hospitality and management teams, Ninkasi Brewing CEO Nigel Francisco confirmed to Brewbound.
VPX Sports, the maker of Bang Energy, is seeking an injunction against PepsiCo to stop it from making threats to its customers and wholesale distributors, as the two companies’ dispute over a long-term distribution contract moves into the legal phase.
With two months left in 2020, beer category sales at off-premise retailers remain elevated, as on-premise establishments continue to grapple with capacity restrictions and, in some states and cities, on-site service shutdowns. Year-to-date through November 1, beer category dollar sales are up 15.5%, to $37.4 billion, at off-premise multi-outlet grocery stores, mass retailers and convenience stores, according to market research firm IRI.
