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.

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.

In this week’s edition of Press Clips, Speakeasy faces wage claims, more small breweries close and seek buyers, Vermont and Michigan make headlines and more news.

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.

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 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.

Legislative Roundup: Direct Sales in Georgia Approved; Utah Becomes 1st US State to Lower DUI Threshold

Craft beer is making progress in reaching female consumers, but there’s more work to be done, according to Mike Kallenberger, president of Tropos Brand Consulting. Kallenberger presented on a variety of demographics as part of a talk given during yesterday’s Power Hour webinar, hosted by the Brewers Association. Kallenberger, who worked for several years at… Read more »

Anheuser-Busch InBev today announced that Andy Goeler, the current vice president of marketing for the company’s craft and import focused “High End” division, would take over as the new vice president of Bud Light, the largest beer brand in the U.S. He replaces current Bud Light VP Alex Lambrecht. In an interview with Brewbound, Marcel Marcondes, A-B InBev’s VP of marketing in the U.S., said Lambrecht would help oversee Goeler’s transition into the role of Bud Light VP and remain with the company in a yet-to-be-named position.

The Startup Brewery Challenge, Brewbound’s one-of-a-kind business pitch competition for craft brewery entrepreneurs, will return for an 8th installment at the Brewbound Session business conference, taking place on June 15 in New York City. New craft brewery entrepreneurs will have an opportunity to participate in the Startup Brewery Challenge, presented by Craft Brew Alliance, and compete for a chance to win $5,000 and take an all-expenses paid trip to Portland, Oregon.

Distribution Roundup: Cigar City Enters North Carolina; Devils Backbone Hits Ohio; Boulevard Adds Wisconsin to Footprint; Rhinegeist Adds Pittsburgh Distribution.

A new Silicon Valley-based alcohol distribution company is hoping to disrupt the three-tier system by offering small-batch beer, wine and spirits producers a more cost-effective route to market and contracts void of strict franchise provisions. Calling itself a “web-based distribution platform,” Liberation Distribution helps alcohol beverage makers secure placements at on- and off-premise retail locations, promises to accept lower margins, and guarantees that it will not enforce franchise laws that would ordinarily lock producers into nearly unbreakable lifetime contracts.

Founders Brewing is on its way to becoming the next nationally distributed craft beer brand. The Michigan-based craft brewery yesterday announced plans to enter Mississippi, its 45th state, via five beer wholesalers: Capitol City Beverages, Clark Beverage Group, F.E.B. Distributing, Magnolia Beverage and Stokes Distributing.

After announcing plans to indefinitely cease brewing, packaging and taproom operations on March 10, San Francisco’s Speakeasy Ales & Lagers has once again resumed production, according to an update posted to the company’s website and social media accounts. A court-ordered receiver — identified by a source familiar with Speakeasy’s financial situation as Jigsaw Advisors — was appointed to run the failing brewery on March 13 after the company neglected to make payments to Union Bank, its primary creditor, and other vendors.