Press Clips: Graham Mackay Dies; Craft Beer’s Sense of Place

Press Clips: Graham Mackay Dies; Craft Beer’s Sense of Place

Graham Mackay, the creator and chairman of SABMiller Plc, passed away this morning at the age of 64, according to Bloomberg. Native to South Africa, Mackay stepped down from his post as chief executive officer after undergoing surgery to remove a brain tumor in April. Last year, Mackay spoke about the rise of craft and… Read more »

Dogfish Head Returns to Indiana

Dogfish Head Returns to Indiana

Dogfish Head has inked an agreement with Indiana Beverage for distribution throughout the state’s 24 counties. It’s the first new contract in the state for the brewery, but additional agreements with wholesalers will be finalized early in the New Year, according to a brief announcement posted on Dogfish’s blog. It adds that Dogfish beers could… Read more »

Ninkasi Parts Ways with National Sales Director

Ninkasi Parts Ways with National Sales Director

After more than four years of spearheading sales for fast-growing the Eugene, Ore. craft brewery Ninkasi Brewing, Marty Ochs is out as the company’s national sales director. “I gave Ninkasi everything I had and I absolutely lived and breathed the brand,” he told Brewbound. “This is the nature of the industry and this is what… Read more »

Gaining or Not? Dueling Reports on Restaurant Craft Beer Sales

Gaining or Not? Dueling Reports on Restaurant Craft Beer Sales

A new report from on-premise insights firm Restaurant Sciences LLC, indicates that craft beer sales have declined sharply over the last three months, but other industry sources say that’s not the case. Restaurant Sciences — which tracks food and beverage products sales throughout North America — said that volumes sales of craft beer in September,… Read more »

5 Stones Brewing Wins Inaugural Startup Brewery Challenge at Brewbound Session

5 Stones Brewing Wins Inaugural Startup Brewery Challenge at Brewbound Session

The beer sampling began early (8 A.M.) at the December 5 Brewbound Session in San Diego, when a panel of judges tasted products and heard elevator pitches from 10 different startup craft brewery owners. Sponsored by Craft Brew Alliance, the first installment of the Startup Brewery Challenge gave the companies the opportunity to showcase their brands and business plans.

Brewers Association: Craft Brewers Contribute $34 Billion to U.S. Economy

Brewers Association: Craft Brewers Contribute $34 Billion to U.S. Economy

Small and independent craft brewers contributed $33.9 billion to the U.S. economy in 2012, according to an economic report commissioned by the Brewers Association. “With a strong presence across the 50 states and the District of Columbia, craft breweries are a vibrant and flourishing economic force at the local, state and national level,” Bart Watson,… Read more »

Distribution Roundup: Banko Celebrates 80 Years; Mutual Adds to its Portfolio

Distribution Roundup: Banko Celebrates 80 Years; Mutual Adds to its Portfolio

Beer drinkers everywhere raised a glass last week, toasting to 80 years since the repeal of Prohibition. The 21st Amendment no doubt holds a place in the hearts of every beer drinker, but for Banko Beverage of Allentown, PA, 1933 also means it has eight decades of business in the Keystone State under its belt.

Stevens Point to Invest $1.5 Million in Equipment and Infrastructure Upgrades

Stevens Point to Invest $1.5 Million in Equipment and Infrastructure Upgrades

Stevens Point Brewery will invest $1.5 million in equipment and infrastructure upgrades to meet growing demand for both its beers and ciders, a company official confirmed to Brewbound today. “This is not a sexy expansion,” said Joe Martino, a Stevens Point operating partner, who added that any changes in production capacity as a result of… Read more »

Press Clips: Craft Beer Black Markets; Fake BrewDog Bar in China

Press Clips: Craft Beer Black Markets; Fake BrewDog Bar in China

Craft beer is insanely popular, yes, but unlike most things in vogue, it isn’t always easy to find. Since craft breweries produce far less beer than their macro-counterparts, a given brewery’s distribution is often very limited.

Former Oskar Blues National Sales Director Joins SanTan Brewing

Former Oskar Blues National Sales Director Joins SanTan Brewing

SanTan Brewing Co. today announced the hiring of Wendy Weathers, who has been named the company’s new national business development manager. Weathers, who most recently served as the national sales director for Oskar Blues, will be spearheading the Arizona-based brewery’s southwestern expansion efforts.

Total Beverage Solution Acquires Celis Beers

Total Beverage Solution Acquires Celis Beers

Total Beverage Solution today announced it has acquired the trademark and product recipes of Celis beers from CraftBev International. “We are currently considering a number of options for brewing, and we plan to reintroduce the brand to market by mid-2014,” said Dave Pardus, Total Beverage Solution CEO in a press release.

Yuengling Names Massachusetts Distributor Partners

Yuengling Names Massachusetts Distributor Partners

D.G. Yuengling Brewery will officially return to the Massachusetts market in the first quarter of 2014 with seven wholesalers, a company official confirmed to Brewbound today. Yuengling COO, Dave Cassinelli said the company has signed agreements with L. Knife & Son Inc., Seaboard Products, Craft Brewers Guild of Boston, ABI House of Quality, Girardi, Williams… Read more »

Victory Brewing Expands Distribution Footprint

Victory Brewing Expands Distribution Footprint

Victory Brewing Co. today announced it will expand its distribution footprint in the U.S. and internationally this winter, offering its year-round brands to six new territories. Beginning this month, Brasserie Purveyors will begin importing the Victory brand on Grand Cayman Island, while Great Brands AB and Vertical Drinks will distribute Victory products in Sweden and… Read more »