President Trump Signs 1-Year Excise Tax Relief Extension into Law

President Trump Signs 1-Year Excise Tax Relief Extension into Law

Federal excise tax (FET) relief for makers of beer, wine and spirits is locked in place through the end of 2020. President Donald Trump today signed into law a tax extender package that includes the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (CBMTRA), which passed both chambers of Congress this week.

Brewery Ownership Update: Fish Has New Owners; Granite City Files for Chapter 11

Brewery Ownership Update: Fish Has New Owners; Granite City Files for Chapter 11

Olympia, Washington-based Fish Brewing Company announced Tuesday that it has been sold to Josh Carrigan and Kate Craig after entering receivership earlier this year, the Olympian reported. Bloomington, Minnesota-headquartered Granite City Food & Brewery announced Tuesday that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The owners of Barley Forge Brewing agreed on Wednesday to sell their business to the owners of Green Cheek Beer Co.

FIFCO USA Names Former Wine and Spirits Exec as Next CEO

FIFCO USA Names Former Wine and Spirits Exec as Next CEO

Costa Rica-headquartered FIFCO today named beverage industry veteran Rich Andrews as the next CEO of FIFCO USA. Andrews will supplant Adrian Lachowski, whose planned exit from the company was announced last week.

Hard Seltzers Help Drive 2019 Beer Category Dollar Sales Growth through November

Hard Seltzers Help Drive 2019 Beer Category Dollar Sales Growth through November

With just one month left in 2019, off-premise beer dollar and volume sales appear poised to finish in the black. Through the first 11 months of 2019, off-premise beer category dollar sales in multi-outlet and convenience stores tracked by market research firm IRI are up 5.2%, to nearly $34.5 billion, while volume sales are up 2.3%. The largest dollar sales growth in 2019 thus far has come from flavored malt beverages, including hard seltzers.

Cans Propel Allagash Brewing to More Than 100,000 Barrels in 2019

Cans Propel Allagash Brewing to More Than 100,000 Barrels in 2019

Allagash Brewing Company estimates its sales volume surpassed the 100,000-barrel mark in 2019, due to packaging its flagship Allagash White and River Trip session ale in cans for the first time. After a successful regional introduction in 2019, the Portland, Maine-based craft brewery announced today plans to expand distribution of its canned offerings to additional markets and the addition of 12-packs.

Last Call: Alabama Breweries Merge; Truly Hard Seltzer to be Available on American Airlines Flights; Local Roots Acquires Latitude 33’s Facility

Last Call: Alabama Breweries Merge; Truly Hard Seltzer to be Available on American Airlines Flights; Local Roots Acquires Latitude 33’s Facility

Alabama’s Straight to Ale and Druid City Brewing merge. Truly Hard Seltzer will be offered on American Airlines flights. Kombucha brewer Local Roots acquires Latitude 33’s production facility. Anheuser-Busch InBev returns as official beer sponsor of the NHL and launches larger partnership with the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets.

Stone and Karl Strauss CEOs Discuss Selling Out, Self-Distribution and Maintaining Culture

Stone and Karl Strauss CEOs Discuss Selling Out, Self-Distribution and Maintaining Culture

Stone Brewing CEO Dominic Engels and Karl Strauss Brewing CEO and co-founder Chris Cramer discussed their respective companies’ operations and strategies last week at the Brewbound Live business conference in Santa Monica. Both San Diego companies are listed on not-for-profit trade group the Brewers Association’s (BA) list of the 50 largest craft breweries. However, Engels and Cramer offered varying perspectives for attendees and viewers.

Investor John Gallegos Becomes Majority Owner of SouthNorte Beer Co.

Investor John Gallegos Becomes Majority Owner of SouthNorte Beer Co.

California businessman John Gallegos has increased his investment in SouthNorte Beer Company, buying out Coronado Brewing’s minority stake in the brand and making him the majority owner of the San Diego, California-based microbrewery. SouthNorte was founded in 2016 as a partnership between Gallegos, San Diego-based Coronado Brewing, SouthNorte head brewer Ryan Brooks and Brandon Richards, the former CEO of SouthNorte and Coronado and the current president of AleSmith Brewing Company.