Branding Checkup: Mendocino Brewing Goes After New Demographic

Branding Checkup: Mendocino Brewing Goes After New Demographic

How do you vie for the highly sought after attention of the millennial demographic without forsaking your loyal, long-time consumer base? That question served as the driving force behind Mendocino Brewing Co.’s branding overhaul, just the second such makeover the company has undergone in its 31 years of brewing.

Devils Backbone Expands to UK with Exclusive Retail Arrangement

Devils Backbone Expands to UK with Exclusive Retail Arrangement

Yet another U.S. craft brewer has embarked on a unique, international retail opportunity.Devils Backbone Brewing has inked an exclusive licensing arrangement with the British retail chain J D Wetherspoon plc, which owns and operates more than 900 different-branded pubs and 32 hotel locations throughout Britain.

Press Clips: Maine Brewers Want to Hang with Bill Murray; All About Beer Sold

Press Clips: Maine Brewers Want to Hang with Bill Murray; All About Beer Sold

Bill Murray has reached that rare exalted status in the pop lexicon where he could fart on a puppy and people would still love it. As such, it’s no surprise that in Portland, Maine, brewers have launched a campaign to bring the Ghostbusters star/internet meme to the city to celebrate Portland Beer Week.

Tony Magee Joins Brew Talks Chicago

Tony Magee Joins Brew Talks Chicago

Brewbound will travel to Chicago next Tuesday, Sept. 23, to host Brew Talks, an educational and networking meetup for beer industry professionals. The event, which will be hosted at the Lagunitas Brewery taproom, will feature a special, 1-on-1 conversation with Lagunitas founder, Tony Magee.

Anheuser-Busch Issues Statement on NFL Sponsorship

Anheuser-Busch Issues Statement on NFL Sponsorship

On the heels of what may go down as the worst week in the history of the National Football League (NFL), one of its largest sponsors, Anheuser-Busch (A-B), is speaking out. A-B issued a statement Tuesday expressing concern over the NFL’s handling of recent off-field incidents involving active players who are alleged to have abused women and children.

Dogfish Head Embarks on Distillery Expansion

Dogfish Head Embarks on Distillery Expansion

Sam Calagione and Dogfish Head are investing in a growing craft spirits segment. Calagione, who described the recent influx of small-batch spirit producers as a “revolution,” believes Dogfish, the company he founded in 1995, has an opportunity to once again extend the brand outside of the beer category.

Victory Expands Distribution Throughout Nevada

Victory Expands Distribution Throughout Nevada

Victory Brewing will expand distribution throughout Nevada per an agreement with Southern Wine & Spirits, the brewery announced yesterday.The company, based in Downingtown, Pa., plans to launch in Nevada on September 20. The state will be the 35th in Victory’s distribution footprint.

A-B Reportedly Trying to Finance SABMiller Deal

A-B Reportedly Trying to Finance SABMiller Deal

The rumor mill knows little downtime. After a few short months of relative inactivity, the mill’s blades are spinning again with the Wall Street Journal reporting that global beer giant Anheuser-Busch InBev is actively seeking financing for a possible takeover of SABMiller Plc. A source close to the matter told the website that A-B is waiting to secure financing for the deal, valued at roughly $122 billion, before it starts any formal discussions with SABMiller.

Distribution Roundup: Finch’s Taps North Carolina; Saugatuck Hits Minnesota

Distribution Roundup: Finch’s Taps North Carolina; Saugatuck Hits Minnesota

Finch’s Beer will expand distribution throughout North Carolina per an agreement with Mutual Distributing, the wholesaler announced last week, with an initial rollout slated for October. Initially, the brewery, which is based in Chicago, will hit the market in the greater Raleigh and Charlotte areas, but plans to gradually expand distribution to all parts of the state with its line of canned 4-packs.

New Belgium Names President

New Belgium Names President

New Belgium today announced the promotion of current chief financial and chief operations officer, Christine Perich, to the position of president. Perich, who joined the company as CFO in 2004, has overseen all facets of operations since 2009. She was instrumental in guiding the company through its second employee stock ownership program transaction in 2012.

Jake Leinenkugel to Retire

Jake Leinenkugel to Retire

MillerCoors announced Tuesday that longtime Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing president, Jake Leinenkugel, 62, will retire at the end of the year. His brother, Dick Leinenkugel, will take over as president of the company, which is part of MillerCoors’ craft and import division, Tenth and Blake.

Boulevard Expands Distribution to Florida

Boulevard Expands Distribution to Florida

Boulevard Brewing has announced plans to expand distribution throughout Florida per an agreement with Brown Distributing, an Anheuser-Busch wholesaler. Boulevard beers will be available to the market beginning early October, according to a statement issued by the company, growing its total distribution footprint to 28 states and the District of Columbia.

Brewers Association Promotes Bob Pease to CEO

Brewers Association Promotes Bob Pease to CEO

The Brewers Association (BA) announced this morning that it has promoted Bob Pease, a 21-year veteran of trade group, from COO to CEO. The promotion, per a statement from the BA, “formalizes much of the responsibility that Pease has already progressively adopted,” since taking over as COO in 2010.

Press Clips: MillerCoors Sues Former Executives; Dark Horse Co-Owner Passes

Press Clips: MillerCoors Sues Former Executives; Dark Horse Co-Owner Passes

In a lawsuit filed in Milwaukee County Circuit court, beer giant MillerCoors has accused two former marketing executives of embezzling more than $10 million over the last 13 years. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, MillerCoors alleges that David Colletti and Paul Edwards conspired with a dozen people and 15 companies to file invoices for undelivered services in which the individuals would split the pay.