Castle Island Closes $600,000 Equity Round, Plans New Taproom

Castle Island Closes $600,000 Equity Round, Plans New Taproom

Since opening Castle Island Brewing on the outskirts of Boston in December 2015, founder Adam Romanow believes he’s missed out on as much as $50,000 per month in direct-to-consumer sales as a result of not having a taproom. That will change in June, when the Norwood, Massachusetts-based craft brewery opens a 1,500 sq. ft. taproom with capacity for 100 drinkers and 16 rotating draft lines.

Last Call: Maryland Brewers, Diageo Fight HB 1283; North Carolina Moves Toward Modernization

Last Call: Maryland Brewers, Diageo Fight HB 1283; North Carolina Moves Toward Modernization

In this week’s edition of Last Call: Maryland Brewers and Diageo join forces to amend HB 1283; North Carolina moves toward modernizing the state’s alcohol laws; more breweries close; Yards Brewing Co. reveals plans for its new brewery; A-B divests itself of the former SABMiller’s Central and Eastern European assets; and more.

Crowlers Are Officially Legal in the State of Texas

Crowlers Are Officially Legal in the State of Texas

Cuvee Coffee’s crowler is finally free from the clutches of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC). The 20-month saga between the Austin, Texas-based coffee company and the Texas regulatory agency finally concluded with the TABC returning Cuvee’s crowler canning machine, which it seized during a September 29, 2015, raid of Cuvee’s retail store.

Following Bend Brewery Expansion, Anheuser-Busch Plans Rollout For 10 Barrel

Following Bend Brewery Expansion, Anheuser-Busch Plans Rollout For 10 Barrel

Nearly two-and-a-half years after 10 Barrel Brewing Co. was acquired by Anheuser-Busch InBev, the Bend, Oregon-headquartered brewery is finally nestled snugly into the global beer giant’s craft and import focused High End division. With the transition complete and several multi-million dollar expansion projects concluding this spring, 10 Barrel’s founders say they’re finally fully focused on the business of making and selling beer and expanding their reach.

Flying Dog Names New Brewmaster

Flying Dog Names New Brewmaster

Flying Dog Brewery has named Ben Clark as its new brewmaster. The Frederick, Maryland-headquartered brewery announced the move today in a press release touting the promotion alongside the release of Snake Dog IPA.

Ninkasi Names New CEO

Ninkasi Names New CEO

Oregon’s Ninkasi Brewing today announced that co-founder Nikos Ridge would step down as CEO of the company he helped launch more than 10 years ago. Cheryl Collins, who currently serves as Ninkasi’s chief operating officer, will take over as CEO on May 1, the company said. Ridge, meanwhile, will move into the role of president and maintain his seat on the brewery’s board of directors.

Brewers Association-Defined Craft Up 6 Percent in 2016

Brewers Association-Defined Craft Up 6 Percent in 2016

Want to know how much craft beer was brewed in 2016? It’s not as straightforward as you might think, due to the varying definitions of craft and the investment activity in the space. The Brewers Association, which represents the interests of small and independent American brewers, pegged craft brewery production growth at 6 percent, to 24.6 million barrels, in 2016. But that’s just one reading.

Brewers Association Creates Beer Nutrient Database

Brewers Association Creates Beer Nutrient Database

In an effort to help small breweries comply with new Food and Drug Administration (FDA) menu labeling requirements and avoid costly nutritional testing, the Brewers Association has developed a beer nutrient database that reflects the average nutritional value of more than 40 popular craft styles. The database, available to members on the trade organization’s website, allows brewers to determine calories and carbohydrates using accurate gravity measurements and a digital calculator developed by the BA and the Scandinavian School of Brewing.

Dogfish Head Adds Missouri to the Mix

Dogfish Head Adds Missouri to the Mix

Dogfish Head will expand distribution to Missouri in April, the company announced today. The Delaware-based craft brewery has inked agreements with five beer wholesalers — Summit Distributing, Heart of America, Grellner Distributing, Central States Beverage and Fechtel Beverage — for statewide coverage.