Daily Briefing Newsletter

Brewbound Insiders are reading details of Constellation Brands’ latest divestment in its wine and spirits division, with the sale of Svedka Vodka to Sazerac. Insiders are also diving into the latest weekly scan data from Circana; reading about the closure of Cisco’s Portsmouth taproom; and catching up on several job changes.

Folks, we’ve had a lot of advancements in craft beer over the years (flaked oats – who knew?), but like many other sectors in life, the folks north of the border are showing us how it’s done. ONTARIO RACING is celebrating the release of a new UNFILTERED documentary project by partnering with local brewery AVLING to finally create a beer so that you too can feel like a horse when having a cold one.

Well, we tried, Massachusetts … but apparently you just can’t be trusted with $2 off a MILLER LITE before 6 p.m., as the state has removed happy hour legislation from a $4B economic development package set for a final vote soon. Liability and insurance factors were cited, which, having seen Boston St. Patrick’s Day footage over the years … I’m not gonna argue with.

More than three decades after launching with amber ales, Kirin-owned New Belgium Brewing’s and Bell’s Brewery’s portfolios look a little different, in very intentional moves to stay relevant with the rapidly changing bev-alc market, according to CEO Shaun Belongie.

Folks, we’re getting pretty close to GOOSE ISLAND’s annual Bourbon County release! Gotta say, it’s nice to still have one of craft’s few remaining annual traditions left here at the end of 2024, even though I’m pretty sure Justin and I couldn’t finish one bottle between the two of us at this point. In a whole weekend.

Here at the end of election week … it’s much better when it’s beer that is seeing its extremes are widening. BWC broke out the growing divide in ABV preferences in the U.S. since 2022, for sales through Oct. 20 via NIQ data:

Clearly NFL QB Russell Wilson heard about ABITA giving SAINTS player Alvin Kamara free beer for life, and thought, “Hey, how do I get in on this with my favorite beer?” Plus, this week’s beer is going out to BOSTON CELTICS fans, because it sounds like they’re gonna need it.

Apparently the U.K. beer scene saw MILLER LITE’s revival of Less Filling, Tastes Great and said, ‘Hey let’s do that for craft beer!’ Yes, the great BA independent seal debate of 2018 (which seems like it might as well have happened in 1998) has reared its head across the pond in 2024. (Wait, I thought they were supposed to be 5+ hours ahead of us?)

Sorry, Travis Kelce, there’s a new football player in town … or at least there is for BUD LIGHT (then again, buying your own craft brewery certainly raises some issues there). Thus, Tampa Bay QB Baker Mayfield is the brand new addition to the BL athlete spokesperson lineup, although, gotta say – this creative could use some work IMO (his PROGRESSIVE ads were far better).

It appears that the COORS and WRANGLER folks have teamed up to make a new product custom made for your dating life – beer wash jeans! Yes, what better way to make an impression they’ll never forget than for your car to smell like stale beer when you pick up your date for dinner and a movie?

Folks, October is upon us – and you can just feel the excitement in the Jess Infante household for the influx of tourists about to overrun Salem, MA, with candy-fueled glee, tacky witch hats, freewheeling money and … noise. But don’t worry, Jess – SAM ADAMS has ya covered with this new at-home séance kit to escape it all and connect with Salem residents of yore … or maybe even Sam himself!

Ah, this just in – New England loves IPA! OK, did we really need to interrupt my GIF searching for that? 🙄 That’s like telling me Justin keeps free beer in his basement fridge (see ya around 5 p.m. boss – don’t worry, I’ll let myself in). But yes, it seems the Northeast region is responsible for all of those “IPA is dominating U.S. craft beer sales” headlines that the rest of the country has to endure.

Happy Oktoberfest, everyone 🍻! Beer’s favorite annual celebration (sorry, Arbor Day) kicks off today in Germany, and probably also wherever you see anyone in ill-fitting lederhosen. My enthusiasm may have gotten the best of me at the bottle shop last weekend in preparation … but I argue this is totally normal to have in your fridge.

Well craft beer, I wish I could say I find this kinda thing off-brand here in 2024 … but I don’t think that Porch Drinking’s roundup of over 30 “Hawk Tuah” themed beers on UNTAPPD surprises anyone anymore.