Crooked Stave Credits Transition to Cans with Increased Sales

Crooked Stave Credits Transition to Cans with Increased Sales

Crooked Stave owner Chad Yakobson wants his wild and sour ales to be more “approachable and available” in 2018. To that end, the Denver-based brewery began transitioning a handful of its core releases from large-format bottles into 6-packs of 12 oz. cans earlier this year.

Brewbound Voices: Conquering COLAs with ‘The Beer Label Guy’

Brewbound Voices: Conquering COLAs with ‘The Beer Label Guy’

In his column for Brewbound Voices, Andrew Zender, the founder of ‘The Beer Label Guy,’ highlights some of the common mistakes that can slow the beer label approval process and outlines some of the label changes that require breweries to submit a new COLA.

Brewbound Voices: Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Explored

Brewbound Voices: Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Explored

Lawrence A. Katz is a shareholder and Kristen E. Burgers is a principal in the Tysons, Virginia, office of Hirschler Fleischer. In their column for Brewbound Voices, Katz and Burgers provide an overview of the bankruptcy process and discuss the tools available to a debtor in bankruptcy.

Up 34 Percent, Founders Brewing Eyes 625,000 Barrels in 2018

Up 34 Percent, Founders Brewing Eyes 625,000 Barrels in 2018

Propelled by the continued growth of flagship session offering All Day IPA, Founders Brewing reported this week that it would produce approximately 468,000 barrels of beer in 2017, up from about 348,000 last year. The Michigan-based craft brewery, which sold a 30 percent stake to Spain’s Mahou San Miguel Brewery in late 2014, and now ranks as the ninth largest brewery in the U.S., was “pleasantly surprised” to exceed its initial projections, co-founder and CEO Mike Stevens told Brewbound.

Speakeasy Looks to Rebuild Retail Presence in 2018

Speakeasy Looks to Rebuild Retail Presence in 2018

Seven months after purchasing Speakeasy Ales & Lagers out of receivership, new owner Cestra “Ces” Butner has reconstructed the company’s California distribution network and reopened the San Francisco brewery’s taproom.

Congress Overhauls Tax Code, Gives Tax Breaks to Alcohol Producers

Congress Overhauls Tax Code, Gives Tax Breaks to Alcohol Producers

The U.S. Congress voted along party lines to pass the Republicans’ $1.5 trillion rewrite of the federal tax code, which includes two years of excise tax relief for alcohol producers and importers. The bill now heads to President Donald Trump, who is expected to sign it into law before the end of the week.

As Craft Growth Slows, Brew Hub Shifts Strategy

As Craft Growth Slows, Brew Hub Shifts Strategy

Brew Hub has hit the pause button on an ambitious plan to spend $100 million to build five new contract brewing facilities throughout the U.S. by 2018. “Building a new brewery in another geography doesn’t seem as strategic as it did four years ago,” Brew Hub CEO Tim Schoen told Brewbound.

Beer Institute, NBWA Vow to Improve Beer Category Health

Beer Institute, NBWA Vow to Improve Beer Category Health

The Beer Institute (BI) and the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) have made an early New Year’s resolution: improve beer category health. The boards of directors for the two industry trade organizations each passed resolutions earlier this month pledging to work together with other industry players in support advancing the beer category and reclaiming market share from wine and spirits.

2 Southeastern Anheuser-Busch Wholesalers to Merge

2 Southeastern Anheuser-Busch Wholesalers to Merge

Two Southeastern beer distributors that sell a variety of Anheuser-Busch products are set to combine operations, according to a spokeswoman with the global beer giant. In an email to Brewbound, Gemma Hart, A-B’s vice president of communications, said the company has granted approval of a merger between Georgia- and South Carolina-based Southern Eagle Distributing and South Carolina’s Crown Beverages.

Tax Breaks for Alcohol Producers Included in Final Republican Tax Plan

Tax Breaks for Alcohol Producers Included in Final Republican Tax Plan

Members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives agreed over the weekend on a sweeping rewrite of the U.S. tax code that will include excise tax relief for alcohol producers and importers. The Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (CBMTRA) survived a conference committee of the House and Senate and will be included in the final version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The bill will now receive a final congressional vote — the Senate could vote as early as Tuesday — before advancing to President Donald Trump’s desk for approval.

IRI Worldwide: US Beer Sales Flat Through Early December

IRI Worldwide: US Beer Sales Flat Through Early December

As the end of 2017 draws near, U.S. beer volume sales remain roughly flat, according to recent data from Chicago-based market research firm IRI Worldwide. IRI, which tracks beer sales at off-premise retailers, reported that total beer sales through the first 11 months of 2017 exceeded $31.8 billion in the firm’s multi-outlet and convenience. Through December 3, U.S. beer volume sales declined 0.5 percent while total beer dollar sales increased 1.1 percent.