Brewbound Podcast

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.

Minneapolis has dominated national headlines for weeks as area residents protest the Department of Homeland Security’s heightened crackdown on Minnesota’s large immigrant population. Tensions have intensified as agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have killed two American citizens in shootings that have been recorded by observers. Local businesses such as Insight Brewing have taken a stand against ICE’s occupation of the city. Insight marketing manager Joey Steinbach joins the Brewbound Podcast to discuss how the brewery has stepped up as a community hub by collecting food and other donations to distribute to mutual aid groups, supporting neighbors who participated in last week’s general strike and emphasizing its role as a friendly third space. “That day was so truly inspiring,” Steinbach said of the strike. “We did shut down for regular business. We weren’t serving or selling anything. Any staff that we had there was volunteering their time just to gather donations from the community. “We had so many people come through before and during the protests that day,” he continued. “We had just hundreds of pounds of food come through – diapers, winterwear, people donating hand warmers, donating more coffee.” The impact of ICE’s presence in the Twin Cities hit close to home for Insight at the beginning of the surge, when an employee of one of the brewery’s resident food trucks was detained. That coupled with the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti made speaking out imperative, Steinbach said. “It’s just the right thing to do,” he said. “We do have a platform, and we do have a voice. We’re not one of the biggest names in the game by any means, but we’ve got a decent social media reach and, watching everything happening in our direct community – Insight brewing is a northeast Minneapolis brewery – and it’s just so hard.” Insight has walked a tightrope between using its social media accounts to call for an end to the ICE occupation and request donations for its community pantry (in exchange for a complimentary beer), while still promoting its ongoing taproom programming. “It just felt wrong to stay silent about it, despite people thinking that politics and beer don’t really align,” Steinbach said. “If you go back to the origins of taprooms – pubs – it’s a public house, it’s a community space. It’s not just about pushing a product. It’s not just about the bottom dollar. It’s definitely a community space for everyone, especially including our immigrant neighbors.” Before the interview, Zoe and Jess discuss recent news, including takeaways from the Beer, Wine & Spirits Summit and a sneak peek at Budweiser’s upcoming Super Bowl commercial. Listen to the episode here or on your preferred podcast platform:

Less has been more with BrewDog’s U.S. business over the last year and a half. On the latest episode of the Brewbound Podcast, BrewDog USA chief sales and marketing officer Eric Teodoro Franco explains how the business has “done fewer things better,” leading with a focus on its core brands, which helped the brand increase volume 26% last year, to 89,084 barrels of beer, according to data from the Brewers Association (BA). “We were very, very famous and very willing to be famous for throwing a lot against the wall and seeing what would stick for many, many years,” Franco shared. “We can do that in the U.K. where you have a 50-plus share and you can develop a lot of things and trial and try new things. “In this market, we did that and it didn’t work. We’ve really taken our range plan, we’ve taken our focuses down to really doing fewer and better things.” That’s led to improved wholesaler partnerships and led to a redeployment of BrewDog’s teams to better support its core markets, Franco said. Additionally, BrewDog USA has been given the opportunity to run its operations with some autonomy from its homebase in Scotland as its U.S. leadership team has earned the trust of the global team. “We’re running things the way we need to run them,” Franco said. “Same on the food side and on the retail side of our business. “For many years, we were very much driven by what the U.K. or international bars looked like, and we would apply that narrative, if you will, or business plan to the U.S. bars. That’s gone away as well.” Franco also discusses how the exits of founders James Watt and Martin Dickie have affected the U.S. business, how the company is approaching innovation and how the company has rethought both its distribution footprint and its taproom strategy. Before the interview, Brewbound’s Justin Kendall, Jessica Infante and Zoe Lica break down the impending closure of 21st Amendment Brewery, the removal of a study from the dietary guidelines process and the challenges of making an alcoholic version of better-for-you soda. They also dig into TikTok trends and the latest grousing about Generation Z’s bar habits. Listen here or on your preferred podcast platform.

How can you get the most out of your supply chain relationships? Communication is key, and not just when the headwinds hit. Matt Potts, founder of Normal, Illinois-based Destihl, and Ron Schroder, Briess director of marketing, share how they’re navigating supply challenges and how craft brewers can mitigate issues by maintaining lines of communication. Potts also explains why Destihl has supplemented its own growth with partner brands, including the Wrexham Lager, Hanson Brothers’ Mmmhops IPA, an Evel Knievel-branded beer and NIL beers, including with the University of Illinois Fighting Illini. Plus, U.S. Beverage VP of brand development Kris Sjolander explains the importer and platform’s sales and marketing partnership program. He also dives into what opportunities U.S. Beverage’s contract brewing process offers to potential partners in the U.S. and beyond. U.S Beverage’s partners include Uinta, Woodchuck Cider, Moosehead, Captain Lawerence and several others. Sjolander shares why he believes U.S. Beverage excels at distributor management, how the company is expanding its national accounts presence to meet its partners’ needs and what types of brands benefit the most from partnering with the firm. Before the conversations, Brewbound editor Justin Kendall and managing editor Jess Infante break down Tilray Brands’ latest leadership shuffle and taproom closure, as well as quick thoughts on White Claw’s dominance of hard seltzer and cutting its vodka-based canned cocktail line. Jess and Justin play Another Round or Tabbing Out on the elders’ latest Generation Z gripe: forming a single-file line at the bar. They also talk about the Voodoo Ranger-Malört collaboration, Roulette IPA, where consumers risk getting a Malört-inspired IPA in a 6-pack. Listen here or on your preferred podcasting platform.

Merchandise remains an important piece of Rhinegeist Brewery’s business, and the Cincinnati brewery is leveling up under the guidance of merchandise director Jenny Morrissey. Morrissey and Rhinegeist VP of marketing Tracey Ireland share the evolution of the company’s merch strategy from “marketing tool” to an individual business unit aimed at forging emotional connections with the brewery’s fans. After peaking in the late 2010s, Rhinegeist’s merch business started to decline. Morrissey, who joined the company a year ago, has brought a fashion background and a disciplined approach to the business, from assortment planning to limited drops. Morrissey and Ireland share how they’re engaging Rhinegeist’s diverse customer base, from out-of-town visitors to the brewery’s Cincinnati taproom, to its home market “super fans.” “We’re trying to get as many skull drop T-shirts on as many people as possible for every occasion,” Morrissey said. Morrissey and Ireland discuss efforts to re-engage fans with new products via event-driven and limited-time offerings and monthly product drops. “We’re exploring doing a lot more illustration, a lot more nods back to Cincinnati heritage and just having a lot more fun with it, a lot more humor,” Morrissey said. “And then driving sales with scarcity, essentially, and keeping our assortment fresh. It’s such a good lever to pull to just keep things fresh, keep people coming back to check what we have that’s new.” The conversation covers trend spotting, sourcing inspiration, brand partnerships and tapping into a collector community. Morrissey and Ireland also explain why creating emotion is key to breaking through with consumers. Plus, they share when to cut bait on slow-moving inventory. Ahead of the interview, the Brewbound team talks through Republic National Distributing Company’s (RNDC) exit from California. Plus, the trio play Another Round or Tabbing Out on the creation of family-friendly spaces, and Almanac CEO Damian Fagan’s distaste of the word “taproom.” Listen to the strategy session here or on your preferred podcasting platform.

New Belgium Brewing resumed brewing at its Asheville, North Carolina-based production facility this week for the first time since Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc on the region and shut down the brewery’s operations. It was a significant stoppage for the company as the Asheville brewery accounted for around 40% of New Belgium’s total output. In the wake of the hurricane, the brewery was flooded with around 20 inches of storm water. More than three months after being knocked offline, Voodoo Ranger Juice Force will be the first beer going into the tanks in Asheville, with packaged products expected to follow in March. New Belgium CEO Shaun Belongie joins the Brewbound Podcast to discuss the comeback in Asheville, the company’s still-unfolding contingency plans and the road ahead. Belongie also shares New Belgium’s 2025 plans, including the introduction of “Mini Ripper” cans of higher ABV Voodoo Ranger Force offerings; LightStrike hard refreshers; and Bell’s Oberon Light. He also explores going into year eight of Voodoo Ranger, the opportunities for Bell’s, building brands outside of the craft beer bubble and taking over sales, marketing and production of Kirin Ichiban. Plus, the Brewbound team talks Zoe’s trip to the Beer Summit, 2024 off-premise scans and Tilray Brands’ Project 420. Listen here or on your preferred podcasting platform.

The Brewbound Podcast in 2024 featured a mix of interviews with industry heavyweights, analysis and a new roadshow component with stops at the California Craft Beer Summit in Sacramento, the Craft Brewers Conference in Las Vegas and the National Beer Wholesalers Association’s Annual Convention in San Diego. The most-listened-to episodes of 2024 touched on leadership changes in the industry, conversations from the road and major events and strategizing. Here’s a look back at the most popular Brewbound Podcast episodes of the year, in reverse order. Links are in the headlines for those who want to catch up. 10. Diving into Early Year Bev-Alc Data Trends with 3 Tier Beverages 3 Tier Beverages’ Mary Mills and Stephanie Roatis parsed the early year data, including positive cider trends in convenience, non-alc beer growth, hard seltzer rationalization and much more. They also dug into the growing trend of private label hard seltzer and whether anyone can break through the hard coffee curse. Plus, the Brewbound team discussed the potential strike at Anheuser-Busch InBev’s U.S. breweries (note: this was recorded before the tentative agreement was reached), and they played Another Round or Tabbing Out on the chances of Michelob Ultra challenger brands staking a claim of the better-for-you beer market. 9. Road Reports, Private Equity Deals and More Leadership Changes The early part of 2024 is always packed with travel to industry conferences. In this late January episode, Brewbound reporter Zoe Licata shared her experience at this year’s CiderCon in icy Portland, Oregon. Meanwhile, both Zoe and Brewbound managing editor Jess Infante offered takeaways from the Beer Industry Summit in San Diego resort city Coronado. As always, the team broke down the biggest news of the week, including a craft-on-craft deal in New England, a private equity firm selling part of its stake in Mikkeller, a CEO change at Sapporo-Stone Brewing, another Heineken exec joining Lagunitas’ c-suite and an update on the bidding for Anchor. Plus, listener-favorite game Another Round or Tabbing Out centered around the return of the Coors Light train for the Super Bowl. 8. Ding Dong, Drizly is Done; Plus, Scanning the Craft Scans Uber said goodbye to e-commerce alcohol delivery platform Drizly in March. Brewbound editor Justin Kendall and weekend newsletter writer Sean McNulty discussed the decision and why it’s another blow for brewers. Plus, the duo discuss full-year 2023 craft beer scan data, the narrative (or lack thereof) for craft heading into 2024, and why the early read wasn’t great. Other topics include New Jersey finally giving the state’s craft breweries a break, Tilray wilding out with new products and Lawson’s trying to get the low-ABV Beach Party started. 7. MikMak’s Rachel Tipograph on the Post-Drizly Bev-Alc E-Commerce Landscape In the wake of Drizly’s shut down, MikMak founder and CEO Rachel Tipograph analyzed what’s next for beverage-alcohol e-commerce. In the conversation, Tipograph explained why many alcohol producers were caught off guard by the announcement and who she expected would pick up the market share once held by Drizly. 6. Firestone Walker Details Its House of Brands Strategy Firestone Walker’s marketing approach for the 805 brand has featured black-and-white short films of athletes and artists as part of its Authenticos partnership program. CMO Dustin Hinz and brand director Hannah Barnett explored the marketing approach for the Paso Robles, California-based craft brewery’s biggest brand, 805, and how it plays with the company’s wholesalers. The two also discussed how that approach differs from the rest of its portfolio, including Cali Squeeze, Mind Haze and the F Brands. 5. How a Las Vegas Wholesaler is Prepping for the Super Bowl How do wholesalers in the Super Bowl’s home city prep for the biggest football game of the year? Breakthru Beverage Nevada beer division VP Deacon Nauslar shared when preparations began, how much of a bump the distributor is expecting, how the event will compare to a Formula 1 race earlier this year, and how the biggest football game of the year measures up to a normal week servicing Sin City. New Orleans, you’re next. 4. How to Make a Summer Shandy Work Year-Round Molson Coors-owned Leinenkugel’s made flagship Summer Shandy a year-round offering this year. Leinenkugel’s president Tony Bugher and John Leinenkugel hopped on the podcast to share why the company made the move and what it meant for the brand. The conversation took place months prior to Molson Coors shutting down the Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin-based facility, laying off more than 50 workers and transferring the remaining Leinenkugel’s production to Milwaukee. Those moves appeared to blindside the Leinenkugel family, who had brewed beer in Chippewa Falls for 157 years. The Leinie Lodge and pilot brewery in Chippewa Falls remain open. 3. What Even Happened in 2023? Fellow beer industry journalists Kate Bernot and Christopher Shepard joined the Brewbound team to recall the bev-alc/non-alc crossover brand madness of 2023, craft beer’s stormy seas and a potentially grim outlook for draft beer sales. The conversation isn’t all doom and gloom, as the crew discussed positive developments in taproom hospitality and non-alcoholic beer options. Little did anyone know what 2024 would bring. 2.  Topa Topa, Match Point and That’s Delicious Financials on What’s Working For Craft The Brewbound team’s road trip to Sacramento for the California Craft Brewers Association’s Craft Beer Summit led to several conversations with California craft brewers, including a three-pack of chats with leaders from Topa Topa Brewing and Match Point Brewing, as well as the founder of That’s Delicious Financials. Topa Topa founder and CEO Jack Dyer explained the importance of Chief Peak IPA to the brewery’s business and why it’s the beer he’s always thinking about. Match Point Brewing co-founder Simon Chen shared the Albany-based brewery’s path to opening a taproom and also making connections with consumers in his hometown. And That’s Delicious Financials founder Drew Kearns expressed optimism about the craft brewing industry, as well as the most difficult conversations he’s hearing on the financial side of the business. 1. An Exit Interview with Naomi Neville of Allagash Brewing 2024 brought a lot of change at top craft breweries across the country, including Allagash Brewing. Naomi Neville departed the Portland, Maine-headquartered craft brewery after 14 years of leading and building its sales team and helping turn the brewery into a regional powerhouse led by Allagash White. Neville reflected on her experience building the Allagash brand and dished on where she sees the segment going and what’s next for her. Neville ended up leaving the beer industry and is now the program director for the Maine Center for Entrepreneurs.