Stay informed as breweries expand their presence and read the latest beer industry news relating to distribution, wholesale, and direct store delivery (DSD). From reporting on changes in the distribution of products, to diving into the current state of play between brewers and distributors, the latest industry news and analysis provide context and best practices within a complex beer distribution network.
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Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits (SGWS) has consistently charged independent retailers as much as 12% to 67% more than national and regional chains for the same products, according to newly unsealed redactions in the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) price discrimination case against the distributor.
Craft’s rolling four-week losses improved to start 2025, according to the most recent report from market research firm Circana. The segment’s off-premise dollar sales declined -3.1% and volume, measured in case sales, declined -4.6% in the four-week period ending January 26 (L4W) at multi-outlet grocery, mass retail and convenience stores (MULO+C). That marked an improvement over the prior four-week period (through December 29, 2024), when craft dollars declined -5.1% and volume declined -6.5%.
What’s life like for the Anheuser-Busch distributor in one of the country’s biggest party towns ahead of one of the beer industry’s biggest days? Brandon Frederick, VP of sales; Greg Naquin, director of off-premise sales; and Kris Cutrell, director of on-premise sales walk through the preparations for Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, the expectations placed on them, the biggest pain points and much more.
Here are some news items that were initially reported in the Brewbound Insider Newsletter January 5-6, including updates from Uncle Nearest, NIQ, Blake’s Beverage and more.
Columbia Distributing chief strategy officer Jesse Ferber, Bump Williams Consulting president Dave Williams and Hand Family Companies president and CEO J.R. Hand graced the Brewbound Live stage last month to discuss the state of beer, how to strengthen relationships between suppliers and distributors and what industry members are prioritizing in 2026.
We’ve compiled our most read stories of the past year, and one company dominated the headlines (with not the sunniest lineup of news): Anheuser-Busch InBev (A-B).
The beer category faces more uncertainty in 2026, according to wholesalers’ buying intentions logged in the National Beer Wholesalers Association’s (NBWA) monthly Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI).
Editor’s Note: The below news items were initially reported in the Brewbound Insider Newsletter December 22-26. Not an Insider? Become one today to get earlier access to what’s going on in the industry. CGA: 40% Consumers Plan to Take Part in Dry January; Half of Gen Z to Participate Two-in-five consumers plan to take part… Read more »
Total Wine & More has named retail veteran Ryan Ross its new CEO, concluding a four-month search.
A few major beer category brands are clearly on the nice list this year. In his latest weekly report (data ending December 14), Circana EVP of BevAl Scott Scanlon noted that Constellation Bands’ Modelo returned to growth thanks to “perhaps a bit of holiday magic delivering early.”
Wilsbach Distributors (Harrisburg) has acquired Brewery Products Company (York), increasing Wilsbach’s volume 50% and “expanding and streamlining” the company’s distribution rights across its South Central Pennsylvania footprint, Wilsbach president Frank Sourbeer Jr. shared on LinkedIn over the weekend.
Yuengling is headed to Iowa and Wisconsin in 2026. The addition of new states for the U.S.’s oldest brewery was teased with cryptic billboards in both Midwestern states stating “The Drought Ends Soon.” The official news dropped Monday.
Canned water brand Liquid Death has signed with four mostly craft-centric distributors in Southern California and the Pacific Northwest. Liquid Death, which is preparing to launch an energy drink line in early 2026, has signed with Hand Family Companies’ subsidiary Sunset Distributing (California), The Odom Corporation (Washington), Bigfoot Beverages and Summit Beverage Distribution Co. (both Oregon).
Bev-alc retailers are adjusting their buying habits as the Trump administration’s signature economic policy continues to add volatility to the spirits and wine industries.
Wholesalers’ tepidness toward the beer category continued in October, according to the latest Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI) from the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA).
New Jersey wine and spirits distributor Fedway Associates has struck a deal to acquire independent Anheuser-Busch distributor Ritchie & Page, which will mark the company’s entry into the beer distribution business.
Dan Kleban suspends Senate campaign; BrewDog layoffs hit U.S.; Sunset’s new GM; Outlaw rides into Texas; Lawson’s and Crowns & Hops partner on Illumin-8.
