Beer Growth initiative’s ‘Beers to That’ Campaign Launches in Austin

Beer Growth initiative’s ‘Beers to That’ Campaign Launches in Austin

After about four years of discussion, the stalled effort to launch a brand agnostic, pro-beer marketing campaign to improve category health officially kicked off today in Austin, Texas. The so-called Beer Growth Initiative, a coalition of the industry’s three trade groups — the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA), Brewers Association (BA) and Beer Institute (BI) — as well as large and small beer companies also revealed its first slogan: “Beers to That.”

Nielsen: Total Beer Dollar Sales Grow 4.4% During Labor Day Week

Nielsen: Total Beer Dollar Sales Grow 4.4% During Labor Day Week

The key summer selling season ended on a high note for the beer category, as dollar sales of beer, cider and FMBs increased 4.4% in off-premise retailers during the Labor Day holiday week (ending August 31) compared to the same time last year, market research firm Nielsen reported.

La Colombe, MillerCoors Team Up for Low-Alc Cold Brew

La Colombe, MillerCoors Team Up for Low-Alc Cold Brew

La Colombe Coffee Roasters has teamed with MillerCoors on a new low-alcohol, cold-brew coffee line that will be tested in select U.S. cities later this month. The Philadelphia-based coffee roaster and retailer announced yesterday the launch of La Colombe Hard Cold Brew Coffee, a 4.2% ABV beverage that will be available in a limited run of 9 oz cans in Boston, Massachusetts; Tampa, Ft. Meyers and Treasure Coast, Florida; and Denver, Colorado.

Beyond Beer: Explore Nielsen’s Insights at Brewbound Live Winter 2019

Beyond Beer: Explore Nielsen’s Insights at Brewbound Live Winter 2019

Hard seltzer — it’s everywhere — along with a surge of other FMBs. Have you explored expanding your portfolio with beyond beer offerings? Or are you considering it? What opportunities are there outside of traditional beer, and what do consumers actually want to drink? Nielsen is going to dive into the data to see how these emerging segments are developing and how they impact the beer industry.

Constellation Brands to Close Another Ballast Point Taproom, This Time in Virginia

Constellation Brands to Close Another Ballast Point Taproom, This Time in Virginia

Constellation Brands is closing another Ballast Point taproom. The New York-headquartered beer, wine and spirits giant plans to close the taproom and restaurant at its Daleville, Virginia, production facility by the end of September, according to the Roanoke Times. Constellation will also cut 25 full- and part-time workers, as well as 16 temporary employees, the outlet reported.

Wormtown Brewery Taps Freetail Brewing Founder Scott Metzger as New GM

Wormtown Brewery Taps Freetail Brewing Founder Scott Metzger as New GM

Fast-growing Massachusetts craft beer maker Wormtown Brewery has named Freetail Brewing founder Scott Metzger as its next general manager. The Worcester-based craft brewery informed its wholesalers of Metzger’s hire on Tuesday. Metzger will officially assume the role on September 25.

Deschutes Unveils New FMB Brand Modified Theory at Distributor Summit

Deschutes Unveils New FMB Brand Modified Theory at Distributor Summit

Deschutes Brewery is looking beyond beer and outside of its own brand for its big innovation of 2020. The Bend, Oregon-headquartered craft brewery today unveiled Modified Theory, a line of flavored malt beverages, during its annual distributor summit.

Maker of Two Roots Brewing Co. to Acquire Michigan’s Rochester Mills Production Brewery

Maker of Two Roots Brewing Co. to Acquire Michigan’s Rochester Mills Production Brewery

Lighthouse Strategies’ long-rumored Great Lakes craft brewery acquisition finally became reality today. The maker of the Cannabiniers and Two Roots lines of cannabis-infused, non-alcoholic and alcoholic craft beers, announced today that it has reached a deal for Auburn Hills, Michigan-based Rochester Mills Production Brewery.

Lawsuit: Seattle Cider Company Founder Accused of Inflating Sales Numbers to Increase Payout

Lawsuit: Seattle Cider Company Founder Accused of Inflating Sales Numbers to Increase Payout

Three years after acquiring Seattle Cider Company and Two Beers Brewing Company, French agri-business cooperative Agrial Group is suing the beer and cider maker’s founder, Joel VandenBrink, for breach of contract and fiduciary duties for allegedly falsifying sales to increase a payout by $6.8 million. The Seattle Times first reported the story on Friday.