Brewbound Podcast

Hard tea and spritzer brand Loverboy is getting into the non-alcoholic space with a pair of 6-packs: lemon iced tea and white tea peach. Loverboy SVP of sales Derek Hahm and SVP of commercial strategy Todd Anderson discussed the launch of the brand, and how it will be incorporated into the Bravo reality series. Hahm and Anderson also discuss Loverboy’s goals in the hard tea category, the advantage of working with a Bravolebrity and Loverboy’s strategy of working with beer wholesalers. Listen to the conversation on popular podcast platforms, including Apple, Google Play and Spotify. Send questions, feedback or ideas for the podcast to [email protected].

Bernstein Autonomous analysts Nadine Sarwat and Trevor Stirling share what they know so far about Ozempic, Wegovy and other diet/diabetes drugs’ effect on alcoholic beverage consumption. Sarwat and Stirling break down why these drugs have entered popular culture conversations, what users are saying about their cravings, comparisons to past diet trends and much more. Also, Jess, Zoe and Justin discuss the latest news, including promotions at Rhinegeist, the failed union effort at Creature Comforts and non-alcoholic beer reaching its limit at retail. Listen to the conversation on popular podcast platforms, including Apple, Google Play and Spotify. Send questions, feedback or ideas for the podcast to [email protected].

Mass. Bay Brewing is hitting the reset button on its partnership with Dunkin’ for beverage-alcohol products in Year Six. Mass. Bay co-founder and CEO Dan Kenary, CMO Val Toothman and chief growth and ventures officer Nathaniel Davis share why they moved from beer centric releases to the Dunkin’ Spiked line of hard coffees and hard teas in 2023, the opportunity they see with flavored malt beverages and expansion plans for the brand. Plus, Justin and Zoe discuss the latest news, including more leadership shakeups at craft breweries, Russian River’s new canned brands and play Another Round or Tabbing Out on hysteria over supposed two-beer-per-week limits. Listen to the conversation on popular podcast platforms, including Apple, Google Play and Spotify. Send questions, feedback or ideas for the podcast to [email protected].

As Brewbound’s next Brew Talks event in Denver approaches, this week we replay a Brew Talks Boston conversation exploring what’s next for hazy IPAs. Vitamin Sea Brewing founder Dino Funari, Wormtown Brewery president and general manager Kimberly Golinski, Mighty Squirrel Brewing co-founder Naveen Pawar and Samuel Adams taproom head brewer Megan Parisi share where they believe the style is going, how New England craft breweries are approaching hazies and what maturity means in the market where it originated. Plus, Justin and Zoe recap Firestone Walker’s annual business planning meeting. They also play a game of Another Round or Tabbing Out, discussing White Claws entry into non-alcoholic seltzer. Listen to the conversation on popular podcast platforms, including Apple, Google Play and Spotify. Send questions, feedback or ideas for the podcast to [email protected].

Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. president and CEO Chris Swonger joins to break down the opportunities canned cocktails are creating for beverage-alcohol companies. Swonger also pushes back against the beer industry’s stance against expanded market access and lower excise taxes for these products. Also, Justin and Zoe recount the latest Anchor Brewing news, including brewery workers’ bid to buy the company and the response from Sapporo’s spokesperson. Zoe recaps July 4 data in both the on-premise and off-premise channels. Finally, Justin and Zoe close out the show with a game of Another Round or Tabbing Out on Walmart’s unique UPC mandate for seasonals and variety packs, and an e-commerce platform’s marketing target of tallboys. Listen to the conversation on popular podcast platforms, including Apple, Google Play and Spotify. Have questions, feedback or ideas for the podcast? Email [email protected].

Fishers Island Lemonade founder Bronya Shillo shares why she sold the nearly decade-old brand to Spirit of Gallo, the spirits division of E. & J. Gallo. The show turns into an unofficial M&A episode as the Brewbound team discusses FX Matt’s planned acquisition of Flying Dog Brewery, and the founders of Appalachian Mountain Brewery buying back the North Carolina craft brewery from Anheuser-Busch InBev. Justin, Jess and Zoe also break down the latest headlines, including Massachusetts revoking Gopuff’s liquor license for allegedly selling and delivering alcoholic beverages to underage drinkers, beer’s economic impact, and the Human Rights Campaign suspending A-B’s perfect score due to its handling of the Bud Light controversy. Plus, the team plays Another Round or Tabbing Out. Listen to the conversation on popular podcast platforms, including iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Have questions, feedback or ideas for the podcast? Email [email protected].

Jeffrey Stuffings, co-founder of Jester King, discusses a bill in the Texas Senate that would fine businesses $10,000 for hosting “sexually oriented performances” – which includes drag events, if people under age 18 are present or on public property – and shares why the Austin, Texas-based brewery is encouraging its followers to oppose it. Although the proposed law does not apply to establishments that are 21+, many breweries and restaurants that host drag shows are family-friendly and would like to stay that way. Stuffings explains how Jester King has built an inclusive space and why he sees the legislation as an example of “fear of the other.” Dave Infante, editor of independent drinks newsletter Fingers, joins the conversation to share why brewery owners hosting similar events need to be prepared for potential backlash in this overheated political environment. The Brewbound team also breaks down the latest headlines, including conservatives’ call to boycott Bud Light following the brand’s influencer activation with Dylan Mulvaney, a influencer who documents her life as a transgender woman; Deschutes’ big bet on non-alcoholic beer; recent small brewery mergers in California; and Mikkeller ceasing ops in the U.S. and BrewDog shutting its Pittsburgh outpost. Listen to both conversations in-full in the episode above, and on popular podcast platforms, including iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Have questions, feedback or ideas for the podcast? Email [email protected]