Hard Seltzer

With two months left in 2020, beer category sales at off-premise retailers remain elevated, as on-premise establishments continue to grapple with capacity restrictions and, in some states and cities, on-site service shutdowns. Year-to-date through November 1, beer category dollar sales are up 15.5%, to $37.4 billion, at off-premise multi-outlet grocery stores, mass retailers and convenience stores, according to market research firm IRI.

Mark Anthony Brands — the maker of White Claw and Mike’s Hard Lemonade — plans to build a $400 million production facility in Columbia, South Carolina, according to a press release posted on Tuesday to South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster’s website.

Hard seltzer segment leader Mark Anthony Brands today announced plans to launch White Claw Hard Seltzer Iced Tea “in response to tens of thousands of passionate consumer requests for new flavors.”

Forget product, price, promotion, and all that. For Molson Coors Beverage Company, 2020 has been defined by three words that start with the letter P: persistence, perseverance and progress, CEO Gavin Hattersley said during the company’s third quarter earnings call today.

After posting strong double-digit growth in shipments, depletions and revenues on the back of Truly Hard Seltzer and Twisted Tea in the third quarter, Boston Beer Company stock (SAM) topped the $1,000 mark for the first time ever, up from $371.12 at the start of 2020. As of press time (2 p.m. ET October 23), shares were trading at more than $1,066 (+15% and more than $145 than the previous day).

Hard seltzers, a Michelob Ultra challenger and a strong push for cans were among the key takeaways from Heineken USA’s national sales meeting held virtually Thursday across three regions.

Another major brewer is teaming up with a non-alcoholic beverage maker to create a hard seltzer. Heineken USA and AriZona Beverages’ Hornell Brewing Company are working together to launch AriZona Sun Rise Hard Seltzer nationwide in the first quarter of 2021.

Large beer and CPG companies are trading on the equity of their top brands to try to get a piece of the $3.49 billion hard seltzer segment. The latest edition of the Brewbound Podcast brings together industry experts to discuss a slew of new introductions.

The month of August was Boulevard Brewing Company’s “single best month ever,” even with the the company’s on-premise business cut in half, Duvel USA president Jeff Krum told Brewbound. In August, Boulevard shipped 19,000 barrels of product, which Duvel USA VP of sales Bobby Dykstra said was tied for the company’s biggest volume month ever, “but in revenue, blew past any month in our history.”

In a summer plagued with out-of-stock issues, Constellation Brands’ beer depletions still increased 4.7% in the second quarter of the company’s fiscal year, the company shared today.

Anheuser-Busch InBev is cashing in on the popularity of its Michelob Ultra beer brand and launching Michelob Ultra Organic Seltzer, expanding its core portfolio to six hard seltzers, the company announced today.

Josh Landan believes he’s found another Saint Archer in the nearly nine-month-old Ashland Hard Seltzer brand. Landan, who co-founded the San Diego craft brewery in 2013 and sold it to Molson Coors in 2015, recalled growing the San Diego craft brewery from 7,200 barrels in Year One, to 17,000 barrels in Year Two and 35,000 barrels in three years. Now, Landan believes he’s found another rocket ship in Ashland.

Just 15 days after announcing a joint venture with Yuengling to distribute the Pennsylvania brewery’s beer west of the Mississippi River, Molson Coors today announced a deal with The Coca-Cola Company to manufacture, market and distribute Topo Chico Hard Seltzer in the U.S.