Next Green Wave Holdings, a vertically integrated California cannabis company, issued a press release Tuesday erroneously indicating that San Diego’s Thorn Brewing had been sold. Speaking to Brewbound, Thorn Brewing co-founder Dennis O’Connor confirmed the brewery was not a part of Next Green Wave’s $27 million transaction, which included the acquisition of more than 45 CBD and THC products.
In this week’s Last Call: Anchor workers vote to unionize; Texas beer distributor opposes to-go sales; Utah lawmakers agree on stronger beer bill; Instacart offers alcohol delivery service to 40 Million U.S. households; and more industry news.
North Carolina craft brewers and wholesalers have reached a compromise in a contentious years-long dispute over the state’s self-distribution and franchise laws. After filing a lawsuit two years ago challenging the constitutionality of a state law requiring brewers who sell more than 25,000 barrels to forfeit self-distribution rights and sign with a wholesaler, Craft Freedom LLC — a trade group consisting of Olde Mecklenburg Brewery and NoDa Brewing Co. — has struck a deal with the North Carolina Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association that could create an additional brewer classification for “mid-sized independent breweries” selling fewer than 100,000 barrels annually.
In episode 27 of the Brewbound Podcast, Catalana shares his plan to grow Fort Point’s revenue to as much as $22 million in 2019, while hiring another five dozen employees. He also discusses the pros and cons of self-distribution, why the company takes a debt-averse approach to financing growth, and how it builds strong core brands at a time when breweries and consumers alike are chasing new beer offerings.
After experiencing an 11 percent production decline in 2018, New Belgium Brewing has opened its Colorado brewing facility to an upstart lager brand that is aiming to eclipse the 100,000-barrel threshold within two years. New Belgium — the fourth largest craft brewery in the U.S. — and Charleston, South Carolina-based East Island Brewing Co., maker of the “Island Coastal Lager” brand, today announced the new brewing arrangement in a joint press release.
Colorado-headquartered Ceria Beverages plans to begin selling its THC-infused, non-alcoholic beers in Southern California within the next 90 days, according to co-founder Keith Villa.
Count Deschutes Brewery among the list of beer companies experimenting with no- and low-alcohol offerings. The Bend, Oregon-headquartered craft brewery — the 10th largest U.S. craft brewery, according to the Brewers Association — has begun testing prototypes of two non-alcoholic beers.
The Brewers Association today released its annual rankings of the top U.S. beer companies based on projected 2018 sales volume. Cincinnati’s Rhinegeist made the biggest leap forward last year, moving up an eye-catching 11 places (to 28th) from its ranking as the 39th largest craft brewery in the country in 2017, according to statistics published in the May/June issue of the BA’s New Brewer magazine.
In the latest Legislative Update: Maryland inches closer to franchise reform; a flow meter bill in Texas is in limbo; Connecticut brewers seek to-go sales increase; and more.
In this week’s edition of Last Call: Saugatuck Brewing announces a ‘merger’ with Gonzo’s BiggDogg Brewing, Nielsen forms a strategic alliance with Headset, and BrewDog rebrands its streaming network, among other news clips.
Hoping to build off the continued growth of its flagship Kona Brewing portfolio, Craft Brew Alliance said it plans to increase sales of the Hawaiian-themed brand by double digits in 2019. During Thursday’s earnings call with investors and analysts, CEO Andy Thomas laid out the company’s plans to hit that goal, while also reflecting on a “good” 2018.
In the latest edition of People Moves: Long-time beer executive Bill Hackett retires from Constellation Brands; Crook & Marker hires Bai president; and Anheuser-Busch InBev board chairman set to resign.
In episode 26 of the Brewbound Podcast, Heck discusses the company’s recruiting and hiring processes, interviewing and onboarding new employees, the company’s culture, and how the executive team encourages employees to take ownership over certain aspects of the brewery’s operations.
Craft Brew Alliance (CBA) today reported its 2018 and fourth-quarter financial results, which were highlighted by 8 percent full-year depletions growth for the company’s lead brand – Kona Brewing. Despite the continued success of Kona, CBA’s total shipments, including beers produced under contract at its facilities, declined by 700 barrels, to 747,600 barrels, versus 2017, while depletions dipped 2 percent last year.
