Brewbound Podcast

Midway through Dry January, three craft brewers discuss their new non-alcoholic offerings and why these new products make sense both this month and the rest of the year. Deschutes’ Veronica Vega, AleSmith’s Brandon Richards and Notch’s Chris Lohring join the Brewbound team to talk about their N/A beers and the development behind them. Listen to the episode above and on popular platforms such as iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Have questions, feedback, or ideas for podcast guests or topics for the new year? Email [email protected].

Ball Corporation has postponed the implementation of its new minimum order quantities and warehousing policy until March 1 after conversations with the Brewers Association and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR). Then, the newly reunited Brewbound team discusses more headlines, including Topo Chico Ranch Water, Troy Aikman’s Eight Lager, and Pabst’s social media attention grab. Listen to the episode above and on popular platforms such as iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Have questions, feedback, or ideas for podcast guests or topics for the new year? Email [email protected].

On the final Brewbound podcast of 2021, managing editor Jess Infante and reporter Zoe Licata discuss the top 10 most-read Brewbound stories of the year, including several stories on the incidents of misconduct, sexual harrassment and discrimination reported throughout the year, and related fallout and resignations. Other stories include the launch of some beyond beer brands (Coop Ale Works’ Sonic Hard Seltzer, Happy Dad Hard Seltzer and Truly Hard Punch), and the sunsetting of others (Coors Seltzer), as well as the world’s largest aluminum can manufacturer, Ball, announcing an increase in its minimum quantity for printed cans per SKU. The duo also discuss current industry news (which refuses to take a holiday break), and their plans (or lack thereof) for New Year’s Eve. Listen to the episode above and on popular platforms such as iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Have questions, feedback, or ideas for podcast guests or topics for the new year? Email [email protected]. The Brewbound Podcast will return in 2022. Happy New Year!

What were beer writers thinking, talking and writing about in 2021? Beer Marketer’s Insights’ Craft Brew News senior editors Chris Shepard and David Steinman join the Brewbound Podcast to discuss the biggest beer industry stories of 2021. These include the sale of Bell’s Brewery to Kirin-owned Lion Little World Beverages, the parent company of New Belgium Brewing; ongoing fallout from the revelation of widespread instances of sexual harassment, assault and discrimination; and shifting perceptions of craft beer among consumers. “Folks that have turned 21 — call it in the last five years, and that are about to — reportedly, according to surveys, are much more likely to be interested in where things come from, what the ingredients are, so on and so forth. And that’s driving much bigger change,” Shepard said. “You can open this up way broader than who is a craft brewer, what is a craft brewer,” he continued. “That’s driving a lot of activity in consumer packaged goods these days and certainly in beer and alcohol.” Listen to the episode above and on popular platforms such as iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. New episodes of the Brewbound Podcast are published about every week. Email [email protected] with questions and feedback.

On one of the final Brewbound podcasts of 2021, Jeff Carroll, general manager of Avalara for Beverage Alcohol, joins the Brewbound team to discuss his predictions for 2022, from e-commerce growth and evolution to state DTC shipping changes (or lack thereof). Carroll predicts continued growth in the e-commerce channel as online shopping for alcohol becomes more normalized across generations of 21+ adults. In particular, marketplaces such as Drizly and Instacart that connect consumers to licensed retailers will continue to expand their reach. “Not only do you see the spikes in volume and sales, but you also see the spikes in investment – Drizly being one of the the recipients – but there’s been billions of dollars that have poured into some of these companies,” Carroll said. More than half (54%) of online alcohol shoppers in the U.S. made their first purchase during the pandemic, Carroll said, citing drinks research firm IWSR. “That tells me that the attitudes and behaviors are changing, and there’s new buyers out there to be had,” he said. The team also runs down recent beer news, and shares an exciting Brewbound team announcement! Listen to the episode above and on popular platforms such as iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. New episodes of the Brewbound Podcast are published about every week. Email [email protected] with questions and feedback.  

With Brewbound Live 2021 in the rearview mirror, the team recaps what happened in Santa Monica both on and off the stage, including Firestone Walker co-founder David Walker’s keynote speech, a data deep dive on Gen Z, and panel discussions featuring independent hard seltzer makers, beer buyers at popular national chains, and leaders in the middle tier. Brewbound Live will return to the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel on November 29-30, 2022. Listen to the episode above and on popular platforms such as iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. New episodes of the Brewbound Podcast are published about every week. Email [email protected] with questions and feedback.

The world’s largest can manufacturer, Ball Corp., alerted clients that it will increase the minimum order for printed cans to five truckloads per SKU starting January 1, and the company will no longer offer warehousing for orders. Brewers Association chief economist Bart Watson joins the Brewbound Podcast to provide context on the fallout for craft brewers. Listen to the episode above and on popular platforms such as iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. New episodes of the Brewbound Podcast are published about every week. Email [email protected] with questions and feedback.