Craft Brewers Conference

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Bart Watson: If You’re Trying to Ride Out This Wave, ‘You Should Probably Reconsider’

Bart Watson: If You’re Trying to Ride Out This Wave, ‘You Should Probably Reconsider’

Anyone looking for an answer to when craft’s current era of compounding hurdles and declines will come to an end received a reality check Wednesday during Brewers Association (BA) president and CEO Bart Watson’s state of the industry address, held at the start of Day 2 of the Craft Brewers Conference (CBC) in Indianapolis.

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A Round With … Brewers Association CEO Bob Pease on CBC, Craft Slowdown, Trade Group’s Transition

A Round With … Brewers Association CEO Bob Pease on CBC, Craft Slowdown, Trade Group’s Transition

Ahead of the 2024 Craft Brewers Conference (CBC), which officially kicks off today (Monday, April 22), Brewers Association (BA) president and CEO Bob Pease shared his thoughts on the largest gathering of craft brewers, the turbulent times the trade group’s members are facing, the organization’s own changes and conversations he and Dr. J Jackson-Beckham have taken part in regards to the 2023 event.

Justin’s CBC Picks: State of the Industry, Fawn Weaver, Government Affairs and Chain Buyers

Justin’s CBC Picks: State of the Industry, Fawn Weaver, Government Affairs and Chain Buyers

The highlight of every Craft Brewers Conference (CBC) for me is Brewers Association (BA) chief economist Bart Watson’s “State of the Industry” presentation. Watson gives a data-filled pulse check on the health of the industry, insights on where the business is heading and some much needed real talk on the future now that growth isn’t a given.

Zoe’s CBC Picks: Hard Cider, Brand Extensions and Business Smarts

Zoe’s CBC Picks: Hard Cider, Brand Extensions and Business Smarts

The Craft Brewers Conference (CBC) was the first industry event I ever attended, so I see it as the unofficial start to a new year. It’s also a great pulse check on how the industry – and all the folks you catch up with – have changed and evolved since the last CBC.

Craft Brewers Conference Primer: A Pre-Conference Reading List

Craft Brewers Conference Primer: A Pre-Conference Reading List

Before you head to Las Vegas for the 2024 Craft Brewers Conference, we’ve put together a primer of Brewers Association (BA) stories (and one video) from the past six months to help you prepare. Consider this the CliffsNotes version.

Brewbound Podcast: That’s a Wrap on the 2023 Craft Brewers Conference

Brewbound Podcast: That’s a Wrap on the 2023 Craft Brewers Conference

The Brewbound team reunites to dish on the 2023 Craft Brewers Conference (CBC). Jess, Justin and Zoe discuss the Brewers Association’s state and federal ambitions, the beer trade groups’ union against canned cocktail market access and tax breaks, and trade practice reform.

Brewbound Podcast: That’s a Wrap on the CBC 2022

Brewbound Podcast: That’s a Wrap on the CBC 2022

The Brewbound team recaps the 2022 Craft Brewers Conference and shares their big takeaways from the gathering of 10,000 beer industry professionals in Minneapolis.

New BA Diversity Ambassador Addresses CBC Crowd in Nashville

New BA Diversity Ambassador Addresses CBC Crowd in Nashville

One week after being named the Brewers Association’s new diversity ambassador, Dr. J. Nikol Jackson-Beckham presented to hundreds of Craft Brewers Conference attendees about the challenges of diversifying the brewing industry. “We all want to diversify craft beer,” she said, “but why is doing this so hard?”

Brewers Association to New Brewers: Set ‘Realistic’ Growth Expectations

Brewers Association to New Brewers: Set ‘Realistic’ Growth Expectations

In today’s craft beer environment, it pays to be a startup. According to Brewers Association chief economist Bart Watson, breweries founded after 2014 are driving the majority of segment growth. Those breweries collectively added 916,000 barrels to the category in 2017, which represents growth of 52.6 percent versus 2016. Breweries founded before 2014, however, added 285,000 barrels to the craft segment and collectively grew just 1.3 percent.