Beyond Beer

Uncle Nearest is firing back at the lender seeking control of the whiskey company’s operations for allegedly failing to pay its debts.

“Flavored alcohol” across categories has become a lonely bright spot for the bev-alc industry, which is finding itself particularly pessimistic in 2025, according to the latest monthly report from Bump Williams of Bump Williams Consulting (BWC).

One of the most prominent voices in spirits is at the center of a new lawsuit with control of a storied Tennessee distillery on the line.

After reaching nationwide distribution in 2023, Bell’s Brewery has refocused on its core Great Lakes markets. New Belgium CEO Shaun Belongie explained that the Michigan craft brand struggled in far away markets, leading the company to double down at home.

Rémy Cointreau has acquired a minority stake in French non-alc spirits company JNPR, joining other major spirit groups with bids on the growing category.

Hard tea continued to fill Boston Beer’s sails in Q2, but it was newbie Sun Cruiser that put in the brunt of the work rather than veteran Twisted Tea, company leadership shared Thursday during a call with investors and analysts.

Concessions workers at Boston’s Fenway Park have gone on strike and their union, Unite Here Local 26, is asking spectators not to purchase food or drinks while attending Red Sox games.

Reyes Beverage Group (RBG) has scooped up several more major spirit brands in California, with Four Roses Bourbon and Fuji Japanese Whisky the latest to join the total beverage distributor in the leadup to Republic National Distributing (RNDC) exiting the state.

Hiyo, a non-alc (NA) social tonic infused with adaptogens and nootropics, has extended its national retail partnership with Whole Foods Market with its latest flavor, Pineapple Coconut, the company announced Tuesday.

New Belgium Brewing Company turned down the innovation firehose to a drip – for the most part – to start 2025. Yes, the company did add “Mini Rippers,” 7.5 oz. 8-pack cans of Voodoo Ranger Juice Force and Tropic Force (both 9.5% ABV). And it rolled out LightStrike, a 5% ABV non-carbonated hard refresher line, aimed at Millennials and Generation Z consumers.

Kratom beverage maker Mitra-9 Brands is facing a proposed class action lawsuit over allegations that its products are addictive, leading to habitual use and withdrawal symptoms.

Canadian cannabis giant and U.S. craft beer platform Tilray Brands is at it again. The company’s Colorado-based Breckenridge Distillery announced Thursday the launch of Mock One, a collection of non-alcoholic (NA) spirits.

When Geoff Dillon founded Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers in 2012, he wanted to make whiskey and other bottled craft spirits, inspired by the natural surroundings of the distillery’s backyard in Niagara (Ontario, Canada). Thirteen years later, Dillon’s gin- and vodka-based 5% ABV canned cocktails (RTDs) are what’s leading the way.

Two of Europe’s popular adult non-alc (ANA) brands – UNDONE, a global pioneer in non-alc aperitifs, wines and spirits, and Thomas Henry, a premium mixer company – have landed on U.S. shores, each with a unique value proposition and a lengthy track record.