Brewbound Podcast

The Worldwide Brewing Alliance represents more than 80% of the world’s beer production. President and CEO Justin Kissinger and advisor Dan Kopman join the Brewbound Podcast to discuss the global trade group’s mission, as well as the challenges facing the beer category, which has lost 12% share of total ethanol to spirits over the last two decades. As the regulatory environment has loosened for spirits makers, they’ve gained greater market access. “There were differentiated alcohol policies between beer and hard liquor that date back hundreds of years, and in the U.S. date back to Prohibition,” Kopman said. “And there was a reason for these things. So why did policymakers coming out of Prohibition want to treat beer differently to hard liquor? First and foremost, they’re made very differently. The economic basis for them is very different. The employment platform is vastly different. It costs a lot more money and takes a lot more people to deliver beer to consumers than it does hard liquor.” “What you can see in the story in the U.S. in terms of share shift, what I think you can see in other environments is the regulatory environment that you operate in matters and it can influence what can happen in the business,” Kissinger added. 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? Email [email protected].

Following the Brewers Association’s (BA) annual Craft Brewers Conference, general counsel Marc Sorini and federal affairs director Katie Marisic join the Brewbound Podcast to discuss the trade group’s legislative agenda and what’s on the regulatory horizon for the craft beer industry. The conversation centers on the spirits industry’s push to achieve parity between spirits-based, ready-to-drink (RTD) canned cocktails and beer, both in taxation and market access. Although equivalization has been making headlines lately, it’s nothing new, Sorini said. “We’ve seen in 20 years the palette has shifted and if the palette shifts to places where beer is disadvantaged, where beer isn’t going to play, it’s a very existential threat to not just a small number of companies but all of our members,” he said. This year, the BA is emphasizing its focus on the USPS Shipping Equity Act (H.R.3287/S.1663), which would allow the postal service to ship alcoholic beverages the way that private carriers such as UPS and FedEx do. The legislation would only apply in states where direct-to-consumer shipping of bev-alc products is currently legal. “The Postal Service was built to send mail to all of us, and the private carriers don’t always necessarily fulfill that role, or if they do, it might be cost prohibitive,” Marisic said. “We would like to see the Postal Service be allowed to compete in that market.” In addition to their conversation with Marisic and Sorini, the Brewbound team also hosts Selling Craft Beer’s Sean McNulty to discuss recent news including Boston Beer’s Canadian cannabev, Minnesota finally freeing the growler and Anderson Valley’s vow not to raise price for six months. 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? Email [email protected].

Craig Purser, president and CEO of the National Beer Wholesalers Association, previews his trade organization’s agenda for its upcoming Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. Purser breaks down the NBWA’s 2022 legislative priorities, discusses the U.S. Treasury Department’s report on competition in the alcoholic beverage industry, and shares his thoughts on what will be on beer wholesalers’ trucks in the next five years. “I’m still bullish on beer,” Purser said. “I said this just last fall, beer pays the bills. Beer gets it done. And I think that’s going to be essential and central to what we do. But as the beer category expands — and I’m talking seltzers and I think you can include ciders in that and as we’re looking at other products that are looking for a better way to go to market — that may include wines and spirits. I think we’re going to see that.” 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? Email [email protected].

The Brewbound team discusses the latest news, including a law making its way through the Utah Legislature that will require several hard seltzer brands to be sold in state-run liquor stores. The team also discusses the launch of Athletic Lite, a 25-calorie non-alcoholic beer, distribution moves in Minnesota and Vermont, and fundraising efforts for Ukraine. Plus, Jess goes to a tap takeover. 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? Email [email protected].

What does the Treasury Department’s report on competition in the alcohol industry mean for craft brewers? Brewers Association president and CEO Bob Pease shares his thoughts on the report and what comes next. “This is the U.S. Department of the Treasury saying this, man,” Pease said. “It’s not a media outlet. It’s not an association. This is the federal government. We think it’s a fairly big deal and we’re pleased.” Pease discusses M&A activity, category management, direct-to-consumer shipping and more. Plus, Jordan Breslauer from social media listening firm Social Standards breaks down the bev-alc chatter around the Super Bowl. 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? Email [email protected].

The Brewbound team is joined by Selling Craft Beer’s Sean McNulty to discuss several brewery closures, including Modern Times’ plans to shutter four locations, the rumored deal between Constellation Brands and energy drink maker Monster, and the Treasury’s report on competition in the alcohol industry. The team looks at why we’ve seen several high-profile closures, whether there is any relief on the way and the reasons why this trend isn’t likely to slow down. They also look at the latest rumors on a tie up between Monster and Constellation, the Treasury’s competition report and much more. 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? Email [email protected].

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau is scrutinizing sports sponsorships struck by bev-alc producers and distributors. How can brewers play in this space without running afoul of the government agency? McDermott Will & Emery’s Alva Mather and Nichole Shustack offer their opinions on the Brewbound Podcast. “There’s a reason the TTB is focused on sponsorship deals at large venues,” Mather, the head of McDermott Will & Emery’s Alcohol Regulatory & Distribution Group, said. “I don’t have a crystal ball, but I will tell you from where I sit that is absolutely going to continue to be an area of focus for them.” Shustack, legal counsel with McDermott Will & Emery, added that suppliers and wholesalers really should be wary of “pouring rights.” “So there’s pouring rights and then there’s advertising rights,” she explained. “And where we’re seeing suppliers and wholesalers get tripped up is when those two kind of cross over.” 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].