Distribution

Vermont craft brewers are one signature away from expanded self-distribution privileges. The state Senate approved a bill on May 21 that would allow malt beverage manufacturers to self-distribute up to 3,000 barrels of beer under their existing manufacturer licenses.

Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) issued WARN Act notices last week for 267 layoffs in Washington and 53 in South Dakota, as other distributors potentially prepare to take over RNDC’s distribution rights or operations across the country.

Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) issued WARN Act notices on Monday for nearly 150 layoffs in Oregon, as Columbia Distributing prepares to potentially take over certain wine and spirits distribution rights from RNDC across Oregon and Washington.

As RNDC continues to sell its operations across the country, this month’s distribution moves see independent and major brands scattering to new partnerships. Meanwhile, a wave of ready-to-drink (RTD) brands are pushing into new markets from Wisconsin to Southern California.

Trends worsened through mid-April for the majority of the 25 largest beer category vendors at off-premise retailers, according to market research firm Circana. Total beer recorded dollar sales gains of 0.9%, while volume, measured in case sales, declined 0.7%, year-to-date (YTD) through April 19 at multi-outlet grocery, mass retail and convenience stores (MULO+C). In the last four weeks (L4W), those metrics decelerated to +0.1% in dollar sales and -1.4% in volume.

Another former Anheuser-Busch InBev (A-B) exec is making a play with a nascent light lager. Israel Dominguez, who worked in numerous sales and marketing roles at A-B over nearly a decade, is leading operations of Merican Light Beer, which launched in California in 2024 and is rolling out now in North Carolina.

The convenience channel remained a lone bright spot for craft in the latest monthly report from market research firm Circana. Year-to-date (YTD) through April 19, craft dollar sales at c-stores increased 3.2%, while volume, measured in case sales, increased 0.9%.

The Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) sell-off continues.

Mass retail giant Target is expanding sales of intoxicating hemp beverages, adding the products to stores in Florida, Texas and Illinois. 

Beverage-alcohol sales have entered a reset phase now that Easter no longer haunts the data, according to the latest weekly report from market research firm Circana. Total bev-alc dollar sales declined 0.5% year-over-year (YoY), to $1.386 billion, during the week ending April 26, according to Circana. Volume declined 1%.

Major bev-alc chains are expanding shelf space for hemp-derived THC beverages and non-alcoholic (NA) alternatives, while also catering to demand for high-ABV ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails and culturally-inspired flavors.

Check out news items that were initially reported in the Brewbound Insider Newsletter April 27-29, including headlines from RNDC, the Odom Corporation and Constellation Brands.

This month’s distribution moves see Carbliss push into two major new markets, Mark Anthony’s Canadian ready-to-drink (RTD) tequila cocktail expand in the U.S., and ShakeUp transitions to a beer house.

As expected, beverage-alcohol dollar sales recorded a notable drop (-7.3%) during the week ending April 19 compared to the same week last year, according to market research firm Circana’s latest weekly report.