Across the country, it seems like the craft beer industry is growing at a rate faster than the rules of the game can evolve. In a number of states, regulations dating back to Prohibition and beyond linger, and producers complain they are hindering the growth of an industry that’s booming elsewhere. To keep up, a number of lawmakers from all over the country are looking to rewrite the rules to foster growth and make their states more competitive, while some are working to make current laws even more restrictive.
For the second straight year U.S. craft brewers increased production volumes at a double-digit clip, growing 18 percent in 2014 according to new data from the Brewers Association. As part of its annual “Growth in the Beer Category” report — which highlights market share, production and brewery opening statistics, among others – the BA emphasized a key milestone for craft: for the first time ever, craft brewers achieved double-digit volume share of the marketplace.
West Virginia lawmakers passed a bill this weekend to ease a number of regulatory and financial burdens on the state’s craft brewers. Pending Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s signature, Senate Bill 273 will enable brewers to provide on-premise samples, ease limits on growler sales, and implement a gradual licensing fee system for brewers, eliminating the current flat rate.
A recent clarification to Pennsylvania law restricting the kinds of beer packages distributors can sell has industry stakeholders split on how it will impact marketplace competition. The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board recently determined that beer distributors can sell 12-packs of beer, reversing Prohibition-era regulations that have long forced them to sell beer exclusively by the case or keg.
Craft breweries in Texas could soon be allowed to sell beer directly to consumers for off-site consumption. A pair of companion bills introduced into the Texas Senate and House of Representatives would give manufacturing breweries producing less than 225,000 barrels annually the right to sell as much as two cases (576 oz.) of beer, every month, to a single consumer. Currently, only brewpubs are allowed to sell beer packaged for off-site consumption.
Questions about the definition of craft beer and creative strategies for growth for brewers were on display at Brewbound’s second Brew Talks meetup of 2015, held Tuesday in front of a capacity crowd at San Diego’s Coronado Brewing.
The 78 current and former employee owners of Oregon’s Full Sail Brewing have voted “overwhelmingly” to sell a controlling interest of the company to Encore Consumer Capital, a San Francisco private equity firm, a small group of local investors. New of a potential acquisition spread earlier this month.
Brewbound’s second Brew Talks meetup of 2015 is set to kick off at tonight at the Coronado Brewery in San Diego. More than 100 beer industry professionals are registered to attend and take part in nearly two hours of craft beer business conversation. For those unable to attend Brew Talks in person, we’ve made available a free live video steam of the evening’s two panel discussions, which will begin at 5:30 P.M. PST.
Uinta Brewing has announced plans to expand its distribution footprint throughout the Midwest, with imminent launches set in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Missouri.
Maryland’s Flying Dog Brewery has finally won an important free speech case that could impact how beer products from around the country are marketed and advertised.
The IPA continues to reign as the most popular style in American craft beer, but just how big could the style get in an industry that proudly touts a bevy of diverse flavors? According to Dan Wandel, principal of Beverage Alcohol Clients Insights for IRI, the IPA style alone is positioning itself to leap ahead of the entire “Progressive Adult Beverage” category in terms of popularity.
Craft Brew Alliance shared additional details about its fourth quarter and full year 2014 earnings this morning, highlighting record sales, core brand growth and bottom line improvements during a call with investors. On the year, CBA increased net sales 12 percent against 2013 numbers, exceeding the $200 million mark in the process, both record figures in the company’s history. Gross Profits rose 17 percent while operating income increased 50 percent, to $5.7 million.
The nonprofit trade group that advocates on behalf of the nation’s craft brewers grew its surplus more than 69 percent last year, topping $4.2 million. The organization made net revenues of $21.1 million – with nearly half of that coming from the many events the organization hosts in a given year – up from $17.6 million the year prior, according to the report.
The future ownership structure of Full Sail Brewing, an employee owned beer company based in Hood River, Ore., could be known as early as Friday afternoon. Last week, Full Sail CEO Irene Firmat and executive brewmaster Jamie Emmerson told The Oregonian that 78 current and former employee-owners would vote on a possible sale to Encore Consumer Capital, a San Francisco-based private equity firm.
