In this issue: Saint Arnold Brewing Celebrates 30 Years; Fort Worth Teamsters Vote to Ratify Contract; Albertsons Execs Allegedly Deleted Texts; The Toll of Burnout and Craft’s Barriers to Entry; Sapporo-Stone’s $60 Million Expansion Plan; The Best Beer, According to TikTok.
Welcome to Brewbound’s Inside Look at the Beer Business for the week that was Saturday, May 18, 2024. Well, it seems the East Coast/West Coast rap battles of the ‘90s & 2000s have turned into … uh, gin battles here in the mid-2020s.
In this issue: Gallo Makes ‘Strategic Investment’ in Montucky; Waterbird Acquired by Gallo in April; Jim Koch: Boston Beer’s Credibility Problem; Timnath Beerwerks to Acquire Snowbank; Jefferies: Boston Beer a ‘Buy’; and Loverboy Available Nationwide with Walmart.
While it may be all the rage to give shout-outs to Applebee’s in songs these days, there are apparently more than 500 songs out there with lyrical references to good ‘ol BUD (maybe not so much with BUD LIGHT in 2024, at least in a certain genre of music).
Brewbound Insider newsletter: Great Lakes’ leadership shakeup; A-B’s U.S. shipments and depletions decline double digits; Lead Dog Brewing founder buys back brewery; Goose Island’s Salt Shed location opens; and Boulevard hits the Jackpot with Tank 7.
Well, anyone planning on doing a Carl Spackler-style “cannonball” at this year’s Oktoberfest needs to re-strategize. Yes, the Germans have totally pulled a narc move and are banning the smoking of marijuana at this year’s Oktoberfest celebrations.
Well MILLER LITE, you had ample opportunity … but the IRON CITY BEER folks have stolen your thunder (and apparently read this newsletter). Yes, ladies & gentlemen … I give you IRON CITY BEER BUNS! Yes, the PITTSBURGH Brewing Company has partnered with MANCINI’s Bakery and contributed their spent grain to create these beer-y delicious baked goods, apparently just in time for yinzers to enjoy on uh, National Picnic Day. 🤷
Now, this is a sporting event menu folks. #5DollarBeer.
Where I’ll start with a public service announcement today, here on Easter weekend – make sure you make a detailed map of where you hide the cans of beer for your adult Easter egg hunt today … so that it doesn’t flow into your kid’s Easter egg hunt. 🫣
So, I guess it’s comforting to know that if you ever get a not-so-great medical diagnosis, the folks at Gear Patrol have you covered. No, they won’t help with medical advice or mental health resources . . . but rather they have very considerately compiled the list of “24 beers you need to try before you die.” So, have fun using your last days on earth to track down bottles of beer.
Hope your St. Pat’s Day celebrations are off to a fine start given the calendar timing this year! Sean 2004 would likely already be a couple of pints in alongside ya at this time of day … but Sean 2024 is more likely just getting back from a yoga class. Listen – times change, people. Pretty sure we’re already getting close to Jess’ Saturday nap time.
I’m beginning to think Jason Kelce may need to take up knitting in retirement, otherwise I’m getting concerned he’s just going to be asked to chug beer wherever he goes from now on.
Well, it’s finally March everyone! The month where St. Pat’s Day and more sunlight hopefully move beer sales into growth, amirite? (🙏). Because the Super Bowl sure didn’t do it.
Dare I say, I think maybe the $20+ million that big beer spent on Super Bowl advertising this year may have been a bit of an overkill 😬.
