Brewbound Podcast

Allagash Brewing has launched a pair of recycling programs as part of the Portland, Maine-headquartered craft brewery’s commitment to sustainability. “It’s been part of who we are for some time,” brewmaster and VP of brewing operations Jason Perkins explained during the latest edition of the Brewbound Podcast. On a special Earth Day edition of the podcast, Perkins details Allagash’s recycling co-op with other Maine breweries, as well as its program that encourages consumers to drop off recyclable items such as PakTech carriers, corks, metal caps and cages, and shipping materials such as bubble wrap and air pillows at the brewery. “We don’t necessarily want to run a recycling program for the next 20 years or whatever it is,” Perkins said. “It works for us now, but we hope to proof-of-concept this, and show that it works, and there is some interest with some local recycling and trash companies, the University of Maine has expressed some possible interest in potentially getting involved. So the long-term goal is for this to get some legs under it and go bigger than what it is now. “ Perkins shares advice for other breweries considering starting their own programs, the work of Allagash’s “Green Team” and how sustainability factors into recipe creation. Brewbound’s Justin Kendall and Jess Infante discuss other Earth Day initiatives, including New Belgium’s Fat Tire Torched Earth Ale, second COVID-19 vaccine shots, pet turkeys and more. 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 every other Thursday. Check Brewbound’s upcoming events schedule for future podcast episodes and streaming video programming. Email [email protected] with questions and feedback.

Expect drastic shifts in off-premise sales data from week to week moving forward as we begin to cycle the pandemic-driven stock-up period from 2020, NielsenIQ VP of beverage alcohol practice Danelle Kosmal cautioned during the latest edition of the Brewbound Podcast. Kosmal joined the Brewbound team to discuss why 2019 might be a fairer comparison for 2021 numbers, what she’s watching for moving forward, and when the numbers might begin to normalize. On that last point, don’t expect normalization until 2022 and even then, it’ll be a “new normal.” “It’s going to take us a good year or two to figure out what that balance is going to be,” Kosmal said. “How much of the old life of bars and restaurants are we going to go back to? And how much of the new habits that we’ve learned to embrace over the past year will continue?” Kosmal also discusses trends in hard seltzer, where seltzer consumers are coming from, and the growth of ready-to-drink canned cocktails. 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 every other Thursday. Check Brewbound’s upcoming events schedule for future podcast episodes and streaming video programming. Email [email protected] with questions and feedback.

What happens when your state cancels all COVID-19 safety restrictions, but you’re not ready to do the same in your taproom? Austin Beerworks co-founders Adam DeBower and Michael Graham joined the Brewbound Podcast to discuss why they’re asking guests to continue masking up. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott removed the state’s mask mandate and capacity restrictions for bars, restaurants and breweries on March 10, but Austin Beerworks has not eased any of its safety protocols— and won’t do so until all staff members who want to be vaccinated have received all doses. The brewery still requires patrons to remain seated at their tables unless they’re placing an order or using the restroom and to wear masks whenever they’re not at their tables. Some guests don’t care for the policies. “It’s a difficult one to justify to a customer that disagrees with you,” Graham said. “But, basically what we’ve come down to is that our top priority is the safety of our staff and guests.” Graham and DeBower also discussed the effects of a rare but disastrous winter storm that knocked out much of Texas’ utility infrastructure for days. 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 every other Thursday. Check Brewbound’s upcoming events schedule for future podcast episodes and streaming video programming. Email [email protected] with questions, comments or suggestions for future shows and guests.

Isaac Arthur (left) and Oceania Eagan Anchor Brewing launched a brand refresh earlier this year that was met with a chilly reception on social media. The 125-year-old craft brewery responded in a very self-aware way, calling itself “that friend you think of fondly, but haven’t called in months or even years.” “After years of struggling to turn the tide, we were faced with a very challenging decision: make a bold stand to preserve our recipes and legacy or allow Anchor to be forgotten,” the company wrote on social media. “Our history is our foundation, but it will be lost if no one sees us.” Herein lies the issue for a beloved, but oft passed over legacy craft brand: Evolve or be forgotten. “We don’t expect to change everyone’s mind, but we hope this helps you better understand why we are forging ahead in this direction: to keep going,” Anchor wrote. On the latest edition of the Brewbound Podcast, Blind Tiger Design founder and creative director Oceania Eagan and and CODO Design co-founder and partner Isaac Arthur join the Brewbound team to discuss how to pull off a rebrand without making your fans angry and how to rally them behind it. 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 every other Thursday. Check Brewbound’s upcoming events schedule for future podcast episodes and streaming video programming. Email [email protected] with questions, comments or suggestions for future shows and guests.

Alva Mather and Nichole Shustack of McDermott, Will & Emery — a law firm with one of the country’s leading beverage alcohol practices — joined the Brewbound Podcast to break down all the pressing legal issues facing the beer industry in 2021. Between the rise of e-commerce and the nebulous definition of hard seltzer for tax and regulatory purposes, there’s a lot that brewers need to know to remain on the right side of the law this year. Pandemic-driven shutdowns have led to expanded privileges for craft breweries to offer home delivery and shipping services, which have met pushback from distributors in some states. “My perspective here is that the three-tier system is here to stay, but it’s adaptable,” Mather said. “And we’ve seen that during the pandemic.” As consumers are shopping online for alcohol at record-shattering rates, brewers have upped their e-commerce game, linking to platforms such as Drizly and Instacart that can deliver beer to drinkers’ homes in under an hour. Shustack and Mather cover necessary information for these new trade practices, which are regulated differently state by state. “Brewers should keep their ears to the ground and understand what the dynamics are in the state and who they’re actually operating with, because if you contract with a third party, that’s not where your liability ends,” Shustack explained. “You have some obligation to make sure that you’re contracting with the right third party and they have all the protocols to make the delivery — for example, age verification.” 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 every other Thursday. Check Brewbound’s upcoming events schedule for future podcast episodes and streaming video programming. Email [email protected] with questions, comments or suggestions for future shows and guests.

Did this year’s crop of Super Bowl beer commercials score or fumble? This week’s Brewbound Podcast dives into beer ads during Super Bowl LV with Ad Age assistant managing editor E.J. Schultz. “My overall impression is there was no runaway hit, but there was no bomb either,” Schultz said. “There was no ad that people are just trashing or that caused a bunch of controversy after the fact.” Schultz and the Brewbound team weigh the merits of commercials from official sponsor Anheuser-Busch InBev, featuring Bud Light, Bud Light Seltzer Lemonade, Michelob Ultra, Michelob Ultra Organic Seltzer and a corporate spot showcasing the A-B portfolio, as well as regional ads for Samuel Adams, Corona, Modelo and Guinness. “Just because you’re entertaining people doesn’t mean it’s an effective ad,” Schultz said. “I think the verdict’s still out this year on whether or not these ads sold much beer.” Rabobank analyst Bourcard Nesin also stops by to discuss Uber’s $1.1 billion deal to acquire Drizly. The Brewbound team breaks down recent beer industry news, including the culture of harassment and leadership changes at Boulevard, A-B shifting Stella Artois production to the U.S. and more. Listen to the episode above, or find it on popular platforms such as iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. New episodes of the Brewbound Podcast are published every other Thursday. Check Brewbound’s upcoming events schedule for future podcast episodes and streaming video programming. Email [email protected] with questions, comments or suggestions for future shows and guests.

Nearly a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, state guild leaders from California, Oregon and Minnesota discuss their legislative priorities in 2021 and the challenges ahead for their members. Featured guests include: Lori Ajax, the new executive director of the California Craft Brewers Association Leia Ostermann Bailey, associate executive director of the California Craft Brewers Association Lauren Bennett McGinty, executive director of the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild Christina LaRue, executive director of the Oregon Brewers Guild The guild leaders share their key legislative agendas, the challenges of educating public health officials, looming state excise tax battles and more. The Brewbound team also breaks down the latest news stories, including Boston Beer’s Super Bowl ad, Pabst pausing production of Olympia, the legacy of Untappd and much more. Editor’s Note: This podcast was recorded prior to the resignations of executives Jeff Krum and Natalie Gershon from Duvel Moortgat USA and Boulevard Brewing Company and additional accusations of management’s mishandling of workplace and sexual harassment came to light. Listen to the episode above, or find it on popular platforms such as iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. New episodes of the Brewbound Podcast are published every other Thursday. Check Brewbound’s upcoming events schedule for future podcast episodes and streaming video programming. Email [email protected] with questions, comments or suggestions for future shows and guests.