IRI: Dry January Notwithstanding, US Beer Sales Grow in Early 2019

IRI: Dry January Notwithstanding, US Beer Sales Grow in Early 2019

Beer volume sales got off to a strong start during the first four weeks of 2019, growing 3.7 percent compared to last year, according to market research firm IRI. The Chicago-based retail data provider, which tracks sales at major off-premise retail chains, last week reported that year-to-date off-premise dollar sales for beer at multi-outlet and convenience (MULC) stores eclipsed $2.3 billion (+6.4 percent) during the period ending January 27.

The Next Major Craft Brewery Acquirer? It’s a Cannabis Company

The Next Major Craft Brewery Acquirer? It’s a Cannabis Company

Cannabiniers, the company behind the Two Roots line of CBD- and THC-infused non-alcoholic craft beers, is on the verge of becoming the next major craft brewery acquirer. On its quest to own 500,000 barrels of brewing capacity, the San Diego-based beverage, technology and brand management company has signed letters of intent to acquire four craft breweries, including a “top-20 privately held brewery based in California”

Report: Actual Brewing Founder Accused of Sexual Assault

Report: Actual Brewing Founder Accused of Sexual Assault

The founder of Columbus, Ohio-based Actual Brewing has been accused of multiple incidents of sexual misconduct by several former employees and beer industry professionals, according to the Columbus Alive, a weekly entertainment magazine and website operated by GateHouse Media’s Columbus Dispatch.

Craft Brew Alliance Appoints New Board Member

Craft Brew Alliance Appoints New Board Member

Craft Brew Alliance (CBA) yesterday named Matt Gilbertson, Anheuser-Busch InBev’s North American vice president of M&A, treasury and corporate real estate, to its board of directors. As part of its minority ownership of CBA, A-B has the right to designate up to two individuals to serve on the company’s board.

US Senators Seek Permanent Tax Relief for Alcohol Producers

US Senators Seek Permanent Tax Relief for Alcohol Producers

With tax breaks for alcohol producers set to expire at the end of 2019, the push to make excise tax relief permanent officially started today as the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (CBMTRA) was reintroduced into the U.S. Senate by Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Roy Blunt (R-MO).

Bell’s Brewery to Cease Beer Shipments to Virginia

Bell’s Brewery to Cease Beer Shipments to Virginia

Virginia may be for lovers, but it won’t be a place where drinkers can purchase Bell’s beer for much longer. Bell’s Brewery founder Larry Bell notified the company’s seven Virginia wholesalers on Friday that the Michigan craft brewery would cease shipments to the state after filling final orders.

Canada’s Collective Arts Brewing to Enter Cannabis Market

Canada’s Collective Arts Brewing to Enter Cannabis Market

Canada’s Collective Arts Brewing is venturing into the cannabis sector. The Hamilton, Ontario-based craft brewery, located about 50 miles from the New York border, has established a sister company called Collective Project Limited that will develop and sell cannabis-infused beverages.

Sierra Nevada Makes First-Ever Acquisition, Buys Fast-Growing Sufferfest Beer

Sierra Nevada Makes First-Ever Acquisition, Buys Fast-Growing Sufferfest Beer

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, ranked by industry trade group the Brewers Association as the third largest U.S. craft brewery, today announced the purchase of San Francisco-based Sufferfest Beer Company. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, and the transaction is expected to close in early April.

ZX Ventures Fully Acquires RateBeer

ZX Ventures Fully Acquires RateBeer

ZX Ventures, Anheuser-Busch InBev’s venture capital arm, has acquired the remaining portion of beer ratings website RateBeer.com that it did not already own. Financial terms of the deal were not announced, but a spokesperson for ZX Ventures said the transaction had closed.

Massachusetts Breweries Strike Strategic Partnership

Massachusetts Breweries Strike Strategic Partnership

Massachusetts’ Mercury Brewing and Newburyport Brewing today announced a strategic partnership that will give the latter company access to brewing capacity, via a contract arrangement, as well as various sales, marketing, and administrative resources. Speaking to Brewbound, Rob Martin, owner of Mercury Brewing, which produces beers under the Ipswich Ale Brewery label, confirmed that his company had not taken an ownership stake in Newburyport.

Green Flash CEO Discusses ‘Tough’ 2018, Bullishness for the Future

Green Flash CEO Discusses ‘Tough’ 2018, Bullishness for the Future

Green Flash Brewing Company chief executive Michael Taylor is “bullish” on the San Diego craft brewery’s prospects for a turnaround in 2019. In a conversation with Brewbound, Taylor — a former Anheuser-Busch executive who was hired as CEO last June — said he’s projecting 20 percent growth for a Green Flash business that ran into significant financial turmoil around this time last year.