Brewbound Podcast

Beverage-alcohol’s growing “fourth category” of flavor-first offerings are quickly becoming a “mega category,” NIQ VP of alcohol industry thought leadership Jon Berg shared on the latest edition of the Brewbound Podcast. Berg explains how the collective of ready-to-drink offerings such as flavored malt beverages, canned cocktails, hard seltzers and other flavor-forward offerings have shifted the fortunes of bev-alc for the year, while the best case scenario for beer, wine and spirits is likely a flat year. He also dishes on the tension between value and volume, slumping craft sales, channel outlooks and brand life cycles. Plus, Zoe is back with a beer report from the Bahamas. She and Justin discuss their travel schedules, the decline in attendance for this year’s Craft Brewers Conference and Monster’s bev-alc struggles. Listen here or on your preferred podcast platform.

World of Beer has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, in an effort to reorganize. Brewbound managing editor Jess Infante shares details of the filing and what it means for craft breweries. Jess and Brewbound editor Justin Kendall also review the latest earnings reports, including Anheuser-Busch InBev cycling the anniversary of the Bud Light boycott, how A-B is faring in the U.S. a year later, and the fallout being felt by one of its top competitors, Molson Coors, and one of its biggest supply chain partners, Ball Corporation. Jess and Justin also reveal how little they know about soccer, and discuss car trips with toddlers and adjusting to a new puppy. Listen here or on your preferred podcast platform.

How is beer doing at the halfway point of 2024? Brewbound reporter Zoe Licata shares highlights from not one, but two mid-year beer reports. Zoe breaks down the Brewers Association’s mid-year craft report, as well as a total beer overview from the National Beer Wholesalers Association and Fintech halfway through 2024. Plus, Zoe and Brewbound editor Justin Kendall discuss the latest earnings reports from Boston Beer and Tilray Brands, including nuggets on Twisted Tea and Truly’s hold on Boston’s portfolio and improvements in Shock Top’s trends. Justin also relays his experience on the Voodoo Ranger pirate ship and spotting Stone Brewing co-founder Greg Koch’s graphic novel at San Diego Comic-Con. Listen here or on your preferred podcast platform.

Almost Friday Media, the comedy meme account turned digital media empire that has long celebrated the vaunted opening of a beer at the closing of the workweek, had a drinker base long before it had a beer brand. The media network reaches more than 800 million accounts across more than 30 channels on seven different media platforms, and launched its eponymous light lager Friday Beers late last year. Almost Friday co-founder and CEO Jack Barrett and Corestone Capital founder and CEO Will McDonough joined the Brewbound Podcast to discuss the beer, its fans and the strategy behind it. Plus, the Brewbound team discusses global hop production and inventory, regulatory changes for THC-infused drinks in Iowa and a makeover for Cigar City’s Jai Alai IPA. Listen here or on your preferred podcast platform.

Long-time Brewers Association (BA) president and CEO Bob Pease will retire on June 30, 2025, after 32 years at the trade organization representing small and independent craft brewers, Pease and the BA announced last week. Pease joins the Brewbound Podcast to detail how long he’s been in talks to retire, why now is the right time and what advice he would give to his successor. He also discusses the legacy he’s leaving behind, the most important moves of his tenure and whether there’s a next chapter beyond the ski slopes. Plus, the Brewbound team discusses Pease’s tenure leading the BA, a potential successor and the results of the latest Harris Poll of beer drinkers. Listen here or on your preferred podcast platform.

Following a long July 4 holiday weekend, the Brewbound team shares how they celebrated Independence Day. Jess provides a Jersey Shore report, including whether there was enough Surfside supply. Zoe shares the results from her July 4 darty on how newer beverages such as Surfside, Sun Cruiser, The Beast Unleashed, and Happy Thursday performed with the under 30 crowd. She also notes the prevalence of High Noon in Boston’s party districts. Then the conversation turns to social media platform TikTok opening its platform to beverage-alcohol advertisements. Jess explains why now and what bev-alc companies should consider. The team also discusses non-alcoholic beer maker Athletic Brewing’s $50 million equity financing round and rumored valuation.   Listen here or on your preferred podcast platform. And please like, rate, review and subscribe to the podcast and hit the notification bell to make sure fresh episodes keep hitting your feeds.

Molson Coors-owned Leinenkugel’s is making its flagship Summer Shandy a year-round offering. Leinenkugel’s president Tony Bugher and John Leinenkugel discuss why the move represents the company getting out of its own way, how big the brand is for its business and how they plan to support the brand in the colder months. But first, ReserveBar CEO Derrick Correia offers thoughts on the post-Drizly state of e-commerce and how bev-alc companies can win in the digital sphere. Listen here or on your preferred podcast platform.