What does it mean to be small and local in today’s crowded craft beer market? The Brewers Association might define all of its members — those making less than 6 million barrels annually — as small, but not all companies are created equal.
Brewbound is pleased to announce that Brew Talks — a traveling meetup series for beer industry professionals — will make its next stop at Boulevard Brewing in Kansas City on May 18. Beer business professionals are invited to join the Kansas City meetup, being held inside of the Muehlebach Suite at the Boulevard Brewing’s production brewery (2501 Southwest Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108).
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence has signed into law a bill that triples the production cap on beer that breweries are allowed to sell within the state while preserving other retail and self-distribution privileges.
Massachusetts state regulators have accused Craft Beer Guild LLC, one of the state’s most prominent craft wholesalers, of unfair trade practices and illegal pay-to-play activities. The Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) said Wednesday that Craft Beer Guild — a subsidiary of the Sheehan Family Companies, which owns multiple alcoholic beverage distributorships across more than a dozen states – violated state laws that prohibit wholesalers from offering inducements and unfair discounts.
Bell’s Brewery has announced plans to expand its presence on the east coast, detailing this afternoon imminent launches in both Delaware and Maryland. Bell’s, the nation’s 7th largest craft brewery, according to the Brewers Association, has signed on with N.K.S. Distributors for coverage in Delaware.
SweetWater Brewing is the latest craft brewery to expand into Pennsylvania, announcing plans to extend its footprint into Pittsburgh in the first week of June with Frank B. Fuhrer Wholesale.
Deschutes Brewery is reportedly scouting Asheville, N.C. as a potential location to build out its east coast brewing facility and distribution center. According to the Citizen Times, representatives from Deschutes had visited Asheville in December and company president Michael LaLonde told the website they have a second trip planned for late May.
After years of debate over what constitutes a “craft brewer,” MillerCoors – which produces and markets the Blue Moon line of craft-style beers – has been hit with a class action lawsuit over the use of the word “craft” on both its website as well as various marketing and point-of-sale materials. The suit, filed last week in the California superior court of San Diego County, alleges that MillerCoors deceptively brews, markets and distributes Blue Moon Brewing products in an effort to intentionally mislead customers into purchasing a “craft beer.”
Pelican Brewing has announced plans to open a new brewpub in Cannon Beach, Ore., which, when complete, will be the third facility the company operates in the state. Construction on the brewpub, which will include a small brewhouse and restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seating, is scheduled to begin this fall. The company anticipates a public opening next spring.
Victory Brewing has announced plans to expand distribution of its beers to Arkansas next month, with statewide retail availability expected by mid-June. Per a partnership with Arkansas Craft Distributors, Victory’s seasonal Summer Love Ale will be available on draft in the state beginning May 11.
To the purists, the idea of debasing a perfectly good beer with fruit juice seemed blasphemous. It was only after the doubters tasted the product, an unfiltered wheat beer made with grapefruit juice, that Harpoon Brewery was able to quell the skepticism within the company. That done, it had in its possession what would go… Read more »
Laurelwood Brewing, a certified organic brewery out of Portland, Ore., will begin exporting its beers in Canada next month.
Brooklyn Brewery today announced plans to open a second joint brewery venture with Carlsberg, teaming up to help rebuild the EC Dahls Brewery in Trondheim, Norway. Specific financial terms of the latest project were not disclosed, though last November Carlsberg announced it would invest more than $14 million to build a new brewery, pub and restaurant in EC Dahls’ existing Trondheim production facility.
After three years of fighting to repeal Florida’s long held ban on the half-gallon jugs, craft brewers will soon be able to sell 64 oz. refillable growlers. State lawmakers passed a bill to legalize the container on Friday. Senate Bill 186 passed out of the House unanimously and awaits Gov. Rick Scott’s signature. It legalizes 64-oz. growlers filled at the point of sale. The bill also clarifies a controversial “tourism exemption” that had enabled craft brewers to operate in a legal gray areas as both retailers and producers.
