Brewbound Podcast

Mass Appeal Draught House and Grille opened on the eve of the kick-off of FIFA World Cup 2026 at its neighbor, Gillette Stadium. Hendler Family Brewing co-founder and CEO Sam Hendler joined the Brewbound Podcast to discuss how the multi-branded taproom handled an influx of guests, what Scottish fans prefer to drink (Jack’s Abby House Lager) – and what they’re not drinking. “​​The majority of the audience who's been down there on game day has been the international fan base, and House Lager has been consistently the No. 1 seller, and it's not particularly close,” Hendler said. “We're selling 6 or 7x the House Lager than we are of the top-selling IPA in that taproom right now.”Hendler shared insights into the World Cup-driven boost at the company’s Night Shift taprooms and beer gardens and how they prepared their brands (Jack’s Abby, Wormtown, Masshole Light and Sloop) to stand out in the trade during this high visibility time.In the Boston area, hosting the World Cup and thousands of spectators who have come to support their teams has been a boon for the hospitality industry, particularly beer distributors and breweries.“On the ground, the atmosphere has been fantastic. People have been showing up, people are having a great time, and they're drinking a lot of beer as it goes on,” Hendler said. “There's been so much talk in beer about winning occasions that are beyond what the beer occasion has always been, and the industry still obviously needs work to do on that, because the World Cup, unfortunately, won't last for 365 days a year forever. But it's clear that beer is a winner for this occasion, and it's been absolutely fantastic.”Before the interview, Justin and Zoe discuss the results of the Brewers Association’s annual Harris Poll of consumers’ views on craft beer, recent developments in the ongoing collapse of Republic National Distributing Company and a first impression of Keystone Light Apple.After the interview, stay tuned for a conversation with ArentFox Schiff partner Nichole Shustack, who leads the law firm’s beverage-alcohol practice. She detailed navigational options for suppliers during times of wholesaler consolidation and best practices for the creation of brand platforms. Listen here or on your preferred podcast platform.

As the distribution tier continues to shrink, what must brewers and bev-alc brands do to protect their routes to market? ArentFox Schiff partner Nichole Shustack and senior associate Isabelle Cunningham joined the Brewbound Podcast to discuss how suppliers can navigate the turbulence that comes with wholesaler consolidation. Instability across the middle tier shows no signs of letting up. Breakthru Beverage Group announced a restructuring this week that will result in about 500 jobs cut. Last fall, Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) abandoned its California business after several major spirits suppliers terminated it. Earlier in 2025, the craft distribution business in Southern California got a seismic shock when Hand Family Companies acquired Stone Distributing and Classic Beverage to form Sunset Distributing. An aftershock from that deal reverberated when Sunset acquired boutique craft house Scout Distributing in June 2025. These deals and countless others like them can represent a loosening of otherwise tight contracts between suppliers and distributors. “When you’re notified of a transaction, you should look at that as an opportunity,” Shustack said. “It’s an opportunity to evaluate the market. It’s an opportunity to maybe get a new contract in place. It’s an opportunity to maybe get some additional marketing commitments. “You have leverage and there’s not a lot of time in a supplier-wholesaler relationship where you have leverage,” she continued. “This is one of the few times that you do. You want to make sure that you’re thinking about it early.” Shustack and Cunningham also share updates on the uncertain future of the intoxicating hemp industry, which is slated for prohibition in November 2026. Congress is weighing several bills to delay the ban or establish a regulatory framework. The former seems more likely than the latter – especially with midterm elections on the horizon, Cunningham said. “I think eventually someday we’ll end up with a regulatory framework for it just because of the demand and the money,” she said. “Coming into a midterm election year, I do not see anyone taking this up in earnest, but I don’t see them letting the ban go into effect, either.” Before the interview, Justin and Zoe discuss a bevy of beer news, including the formation of the Oregon Beverage Alliance, year-end shipments data from the Beer Institute, BrewDog’s looming liquidation, Constellation Brands’ incoming CEO and global layoffs at Heineken. Listen here or on your preferred podcast platform. Editor’s Note: While the guests featured in this conversation are attorneys, the discussion does not constitute legal advice. Please consult your own legal counsel as needed.

Kevin McGee used his law degree more than he expected when his family took over legacy California craft brewery Anderson Valley Brewing Company (AVBC), including in legal battles over distribution rights. Now that the family has sold the brewery, a move announced in March, McGee is putting his degree to use full time. On the latest edition of the Brewbound Podcast, McGee recounts recent franchise law cases and victories in the Golden State and shares his expectations for more challenges to craft brewers’ ability to switch distributors in the future. McGee, who acted as AVBC’s president and CEO, also shares when he and his family knew it was the right time to sell the brewery. He explains what brewery owners thinking about selling need to consider, how they should prepare and what the current buyer market looks like. Before the conversation, Brewbound editor Justin Kendall and senior reporter Zoe Licata discuss Anheuser-Busch InBev’s sale of its New York City wholly owned distributor to Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits and why they believe more moves are on the way. Plus, Justin and Zoe play Another Round or Tabbing Out on Spindrift pulling the plug on its spiked seltzer brand and the crossover bev-alc market. Listen here or on your preferred podcast platform.

Rupee Beer founders Van and Sumit Sharma believe they’re ready to meet Indian cuisine’s moment. On the latest edition of the Brewbound Podcast, the brothers share their journey of launching the Indian American beer brand during the COVID-19 pandemic as an add-on purchase at their family’s restaurant. Today, Rupee has expanded distribution to 18 states – most recently California – and the Sharmas are readying for an “explosion” of Indian restaurants entering the U.S market. “We’re doing something that really directly ties it into the only story that we know, which is restaurants,” Van Sharma said. “That’s what we grew up in, more specifically, Indian restaurants.” Rupee’s beer has found its way onto menus in Thai, Middle Eastern, Persian, Latin American and Caribbean restaurants. “Anywhere global flavor, spice, those things hang out, that’s where we’re operating these days,” Van Sharma said. “Legacy brands out there definitely paved the way, but we’re doing something a little bit different, which also involves a little bit more of the local, craft American space as well.” Although the Shamras built Rupee’s business primarily through the on-premise channel, they’re now getting the attention of national retailers and they’re leaning into their chain business. Rupee is bringing new innovation to the Indian beer segment, which hasn’t seen an influx of new brands, Van Sharma added. Later in the episode, the Sharmas discuss their strategy for engaging consumers and gaining their attention in retail stores, as well as their approach to building their distribution network and where they want to go next. Plus, Justin, Jess and Zoe catch up on the latest headlines, including why it’s not time to panic despite the Gallup survey’s recent results on Americans drinking habits. They give a legal update on Uncle Nearest and the recipe agreement dispute between Schilling Cider and Incline. They also recap recent bev-alc experiences, from a growing dislike for black cherry flavors, to a sweaty trip to the Iowa State Fair. Listen here or on your preferred podcast platform.

Worth Brewing co-owner Peter Ausenhus has some advice for fellow craft brewers looking to become innkeepers (or just short-term rental hosts): digital keypad locks and a reliable cleaner. “It’s absolutely hands-off for me,” he said of Worth’s two-bedroom apartment, which is available for rent on Airbnb. In Episode 3 of the Brewbound Podcast’s Learning Lounge: Taproom Tactics series, Ausenhus discusses the ins and outs of adding on-site accommodations to the Northwood, Iowa-based brewery. Since listing it for rent last summer, the apartment pulls in roughly $1,000 in monthly revenue. Guests have included people visiting family in the area or passing through during work trips. In addition to this week’s featured interview, Justin, Jess and Zoe recap the latest headlines, including Barrel One Collective’s new CEO, Sloop Brewing’s strategic partnership with Hendler Family Brewing, the legal drama surrounding Hulk Hogan’s Real American Beer, and an interview with the national director of Ales for ALS. Listen here or on your preferred podcasting platform. And catch up the prior episodes in Brewbound’s Learning Lounge: Taproom Tactics series: How Coffee Fortified Death of the Fox’s AM/PM Business How Hard Slushies Became 10% of Red Bus Brewing’s Summer Beverage Sales

What legal issues should be on brewers’ radar? Nichole Shustack and Isabelle Cunningham from the bev-alcohol practice team at law firm Nutter, McClennen and Fish join the Brewbound Podcast to share what to watch out for this year and beyond. The team discusses the impact of non-alcoholic brands crossing over into bev-alc, direct-to-consumer sales, potential regulations on adult non-alcoholic beverages and other state legal updates. Plus, the Brewbound team reconvenes to break down the latest headlines, including Colorado’s Left Hand Brewing’s efforts to raise money for a brewery platform, another sale of San Francisco’s Magnolia Brewing and BeatBox Beverages’ big deal with Shaquille O’Neal. Listen here or on your preferred podcast platform.

This week’s Brewbound Podcast features two On Location interviews from the California Craft Beer Summit in Sacramento. Anderson Valley Brewing president and CEO Kevin McGee shares how he’s keeping the legacy craft brand relevant, and why he’s entangled in a legal battle with the nation’s largest beer wholesaler with potential wider implications for California craft brewers. Then, Full Circle owner Arthur Moye explores plans for the Speakeasy brand, which his company acquired a year ago, and how he’s executing a house-of-brands strategy with those craft brands and Sonoma Cider. Plus, the Brewbound team discusses Sazerac’s planned acquisition of ready-to-drink cocktail maker BuzzBallz, Tilray’s ambitious innovation strategy and Sheehan’s continued distributor sell off. The show also features a game of Another Round or Tabbing on whether mango is the flavor of 2024. Listen here and on all major podcast platforms.