Betting on continued growth of the rapidly developing U.S. cider market, Anheuser-Busch InBev today announced plans to nationally distribute its Stella Artois Cidre brand. The dry European-style cider, which was first introduced in 26 states last May, will be available across the U.S. in 4-packs, 24 oz. bottles and on draft.
Atlanta’s SweetWater Brewing today announced that it sold 144,000 barrels last year, up 32 percent versus 2012. Growth was driven primarily by its flagship offerings — 420 Extra Pale Ale and SweetWater IPA — as well as the company’s variety 12-pack, Tackle Box, which grew 215 percent. “420 Extra Pale Ale led in overall volume,… Read more »
The Brewers Association (BA) today announced that, by the end of 2013, the number of U.S. breweries reached its highest level since the early 1870s. The BA counted 2,722 brewing facilities in the U.S. last year, and increase of more than 400 versus 2012.
Considering Anheuser-Busch InBev’s close relationship with the NFL, it’s no surprise that the world’s largest brewery has once again secured the most coveted commercial slots during Super Bowl XLVIII, which kicks off on Feb. 2. The beer giant, which is the exclusive beer sponsor of the NFL, will debut five new ads, with emphasis on… Read more »
Shipyard Brewing Company today announced it has broken ground on a new, 20-barrel brewery at its Sea Dog Brew Pub in Clearwater, Fla. Citing capacity constraints at the brewery’s headquarters in Portland, Maine, Shipyard founder Fred Forsley told Brewbound last October that extra demand in Florida and southern states necessitated the expansion.
On the heels of a year in which Sierra Nevada saw continued success in sales of its canned offerings, the country’s second-largest craft brewery today announced that it will begin shipping 4-packs of its flagship Pale Ale in 16 oz. cans nationwide next week.
Cash, credit or Bitcoin? Philadelphia Brewing Co., announced last week that it would become the first brewery in the country to accept the controversial cryptocurrency known as Bitcoin for retail and wholesale purchases. Nancy Barton, the co-owner of Philadelphia Brewing, described the decision to hop on the digital bandwagon as a “no-brainer.”
Bend Ore.-based Deschutes Brewery is aiming to broaden its reach in 2014 with plans to expand into new markets and introduce additional brands to its year-round lineup. The brewery will begin with launches in Ohio and Kentucky on January 24, per a wholesale agreement with Heidelberg Distributing Company’s Rampant Brands Division.
Paul Chibe, who has served as the VP of marketing for Anheuser-Busch InBev since 2011, will resign in February, the company announced. A-B InBev employees and distributors learned of the news yesterday via email. “Paul has led the U.S. marketing business since June 2011, bringing new talent to the organization and strategies for marketing to… Read more »
The first certified Trappist brewery on U.S. soil has officially launched and will begin distributing its beer across Massachusetts next week. Saint Joseph’s Abbey, located in Spencer, Mass., has signed a distribution agreement with Massachusetts Beverage Alliance (MBA) and hopes to produce 4,000 barrels in 2014, according to the Boston Globe.
New Mexico’s Santa Fe Brewing is about to embark on a phased expansion project that could take three years and cost upwards of $14 million. Brian Lock, the company’s owner and president said his business has grown between 20 and 30 percent over each of the last four years, sees nothing but opportunity not only… Read more »
Craft Beer sales in key U.S. retail channels grew 19.2 percent in 2013, according to new data from Chicago-based market research firm IRI. Sales eclipsed $1.8 billion in IRI’s multi-outlet and convenience retail channel universe (MULC), which comprises grocery, drug, Wal-Mart, Club, Dollar, Mass-Merchandiser and Military stores, gaining 0.86 share points of total off-premise U.S…. Read more »
The craft beer segment continued to grow on-premise in 2013 despite overall beer volumes dipping 4 percent, according to a new report from GuestMetrics. According to the on-premise data supplier, craft beer grew 4 percent by volume in 2013 while dollar sales rose 7.1 percent. GuestMetrics, which uses the Brewers Association definition for craft beer,… Read more »
Look out, SAM and BREW. After executing a reverse merger, little Boone, N.C.-based Appalachian Mountain Brewery (now traded under HOPS) has become the fourth publicly-traded craft beer company in the U.S., joining the aforementioned Boston Beer Co. and Craft Brew Alliance, as well as Mendocino Brewing (OTC:MENB) on the open markets.
