Craft beer is back on the 2016 legislative agenda in Georgia. A forthcoming bill, drafted by Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Savannah), could be introduced as early as next week and include favorable changes to the way small beer and spirits producers operate. Though unfinished, the bill is expected to address brewery tours, retail allowances and food service permits, according to Stephens, who was reached by Brewbound.
Craft Brew Alliance has expanded distribution of the Kona Brewing brand to Brazil, the world’s third-largest beer market, tapping Anheuser-Busch InBev subsidiary Ambev as its importer and distributor. Ambev began distributing Kona’s Longboard Lager and Big Wave Golden Ale throughout Brazil, the world’s third largest beer market, last December, CBA said in a release.
Boston Beer Company has hired former Campbell’s Soup executive Quincy Troupe as its new vice president of supply chain, the beer maker announced last Friday. In a filing, Boston Beer said Troupe will report to CEO Martin Roper and have primary responsibility for overseeing the company’s supply chain — including brewery management, engineering, safety, production quality, and scheduling.
Golden Eagle Distributors, an Anheuser-Busch InBev wholesaler based in Tucson, Ariz. has announced the sale of its 9 million case beer and non-alcoholic beverage operation to its larger competitor, Phoenix-based Hensley Beverage. Hensley, also an A-B InBev wholesaler, sells approximately 20 million cases of beer and non-alcoholic beverages throughout Arizona. The combination of the two companies means nearly all A-B InBev products — about 30 million cases — sold in state will be controlled by a single distributor.
Two beer companies quickly becoming known for their growing interest in partnerships today announced a tie-up of their own, one that will support the “strategic growth objectives for both companies.” In a joint statement, Craft Brew Alliance and Pabst Brewing, Rainier Brewing Company’s parent, today announced a brewing arrangement that will bring production of a new Rainier product back to the Pacific Northwest for the first time in 13 years. The arrangement is slated to commence in the second quarter of this year.
Olde Mecklenburg to Pull Distribution from “Triad”; Yards Brewing Searching for More Space; Asheville Citizen Times Examines Rumored New Belgium Sale; Sale of London’s Camden Town Brewery Questioned; Original Gravity Brewing Sues Final Gravity Brewing
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture yesterday released the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The guidelines, issued every five years, are “designed to help Americans eat a healthier diet,” and could help shape future federal nutrition policies.
Only eight days into 2016 and already there’s an onslaught of brewery expansions to report. On the heels of a year in which craft volume sales grew more than 18 percent, according to research firm IRI Worldwide, at least eight notable U.S. breweries have announced plans to scale their operations, in some cases making large multi-million dollar bets on the rising consumer demand for craft beer.
Another year of double-digit craft beer growth is in the books. According market research firm IRI Worldwide, craft volume sales in key U.S. retail channels grew 18.8 percent in 2015 while dollar sales grew 23.4 percent, to more than $2.9 billion. Total category-wide beer sales, meanwhile, were up just 2 percent in 2015 while total MULC dollar sales eclipsed $33 billion, according to the firm.
After three years with Golden Road Brewing, brewmaster Jesse Houck has departed the company and accepted a new position as Maui Brewing Company’s director of brewery operations, Brewbound has learned. The news comes less than four months after it was announced that Anheuser-Busch InBev would purchase the fast-growing Los Angeles craft brewery.
Craft Brew Alliance has extended its employment agreement with Chief Executive Officer Andy Thomas for three more years, according to an SEC filing. Under Thomas’ new employment agreement, dated Dec. 30, 2015, the CEO will receive an annual base salary of $439,00 in 2016.
A California startup is betting on the increasing interest in home delivery services and the growth of craft beer by selling and delivering growlers of brew to drinkers in the Bay Area. Hopsy, based near Berkeley, views itself a disruptive force in beer distribution.
Charlie Papazian, the president of the Brewers Association and founder of the Great American Beer Festival, will step back from day-to-day responsibilities this month after 37 years. Papazian, who “discovered craft homebrewing 45 years ago,” will remain an integral part of the Brewers Association, according to a statement published on the organization’s website. His title will shift to “founder, past president” and current CEO Bob Pease will add president to his title, the BA said.
After three years of selling 805 Blonde Ale in California only, Firestone Walker will begin shipping the beer to Arizona, Nevada and Texas for the first time this month. A low-alcohol session offering that Firestone originally brewed as a reaction to increasing local competition, 805 emerged as one of the best-selling national craft brands in 2015. According to market research firm IRI Worldwide, sales of 805, the 24th largest craft brand in supermarkets, were up more than 166 percent through Nov. 29, 2015.
