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Bell’s Brewery Expands Distribution to Southern California

Bell’s Brewery Expands Distribution to Southern California

Continuing to move out of what was once a customer base lying almost entirely in the Midwest, Bell’s Brewery today announced plans to expand distribution into Southern California in early May. The Michigan-based craft brewery has signed a wholesale agreement with Craft Beer Guild Distributing of California, an extension of L. Knife & Son’s growing… Read more »

Corona Takes Aim at Craft Tap Handles

Corona Takes Aim at Craft Tap Handles

Take note craft brewers — Corona is coming after your draft lines. Following a successful test run in six cities during 2012 and 2013, Constellation Brands — which owns the Corona and Modelo brands, among others — said it plans to strengthen its presence at the tap with the expansion of Corona Light draft to 35 additional U.S. markets.

Congressional Beer Caucuses Again Ready to Push BREW Act

Congressional Beer Caucuses Again Ready to Push BREW Act

It has been said that in the contentious climate of American politics, a couple of beers between officials might just kick-start mediation, but that could all depend on the strength of the brew. Considering the Oregon delegation’s ascension to the caucus’ leadership ranks in both chambers, chances are, it just might be a Deschutes that… Read more »

Brewers Association: Consumers Spent $14.3 Billion on Craft Beer in 2013

Brewers Association: Consumers Spent $14.3 Billion on Craft Beer in 2013

The craft brew train kept on rolling in 2013 as production from the country’s smallest beer makers grew 18 percent, according to data released today by the Brewers Association (BA). As part of its annual report on the U.S. craft beer industry, the BA — which represents the interests of small and independent brewers —… Read more »

BevNET FBU: When Is the Right Time to Register a Trademark?

BevNET FBU: When Is the Right Time to Register a Trademark?

It’s an issue that a number of craft brewers have grappled with over the past year, and one that is often misunderstood: trademark ownership and infringement. According to Craig Rashkis, an attorney with Farwell Rashkis, LLP, trademarks can be “a word, phrase, design, logo, or any combination thereof that distinguishes the source of a product or goods” from another source. In beer, common trademarks include the name of the brewing company, a beer and label artwork.

For Victory, Home is Where the Future is

For Victory, Home is Where the Future is

Victory Brewing Company hit the ground running in February with the launch of its second brewery, but in recent weeks, the installation of a used bottling line has proved a royal aggravation. “Last week was extremely painful,” said brewery co-founder Bill Covaleski. “This 12-year-old piece of equipment has worked great for 12 years. You assemble… Read more »

Boston Beer Pulls Support of South Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Boston Beer Pulls Support of South Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Amid growing controversy over an ongoing ban against gay and lesbian rights activists’ marching in South Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Boston Beer Company today announced that it has dropped its sponsorship of the event. Jessica Paar, the company’s senior public relations manager, sent a statement to Brewbound explaining the decision:

Green Flash Gets a Makeover, Plans for Nationwide Availability

Green Flash Gets a Makeover, Plans for Nationwide Availability

Green Flash Brewing bottles are about to get a new look. Beginning in April, the San Diego, Calif.-based craft brewery will begin shipping redesigned 4-packs and 22 oz. bottles, in an effort to draw “increased attention to the beer name and beer style.” Green Flash co-founders Mike and Lisa Hinkley said the new look features… Read more »

Legislative Clips: A Bevy of Beer Bills Being Heard Across the U.S.

Legislative Clips: A Bevy of Beer Bills Being Heard Across the U.S.

From 30,000 feet, America’s craft beer landscape looks pretty invulnerable. Craft has experienced eight straight years of double-digit dollar sales growth, breweries are opening at a rate of more than one per day and waves of new SKUs are washing over retail shelves and flowing through tap lines. But at the state level, there are… Read more »

Craft Brew Alliance CEO Denounces New Craft Brewer Definition

Craft Brew Alliance CEO Denounces New Craft Brewer Definition

Want to be sure that a bona fide, Brewers Association-defined “craft brewer” produced the beer you’re buying? Now there’s an app for that. But don’t expect any Craft Brew Alliance employees, and especially the company’s outspoken CEO, Andy Thomas, to be downloading the app anytime soon.

CBA Executives Disappointed With 2013 Gross Margins Despite Record Depletion Growth

CBA Executives Disappointed With 2013 Gross Margins Despite Record Depletion Growth

Despite posting record depletion growth of 11 percent and net sale growth of 6 percent last year, Craft Brew Alliance (CBA) said it was unhappy with its gross margin performance, which declined 150 basis points in 2013. During the company’s earnings call, held earlier today, Thomas explained how CBA plans to expand its gross margin rate by upwards of 700 basis points over the next five years.

IRI: Craft Beer Sales Up 24 Percent Through February 23

IRI: Craft Beer Sales Up 24 Percent Through February 23

The polar vortex might be to blame for slower retail foot traffic, weak winter job creation numbers and even delayed maple syrup production, but frigid temperatures haven’t cooled craft beer’s sizzling start to 2014. Year-to-date craft dollar sales are up a whopping 24.6 percent through February across IRI’s U.S. multi outlet and convenience stores universe… Read more »

Bankers Weigh In On Potential Pabst Sale

Bankers Weigh In On Potential Pabst Sale

As the saying goes, ‘where there’s smoke, there’s fire.’ On Saturday, Reuters reported that veteran food industry investor, C. Dean Metropoulos, was in the early stages of finding a new owner for Pabst Brewing Co., the country’s fifth largest beer vendor.

Gatza: New Craft Brewer Definition Prioritizes Ownership, Size

Gatza: New Craft Brewer Definition Prioritizes Ownership, Size

Welcome to the club, D.G. Yuengling & Son. Glad you made it, Narragansett. Sorry about the trouble, August Schell Brewing. Forget the controversy, feel free to use rice and corn, just stick with tradition, ok? The Brewers Association (BA) — a not-for-profit trade group representing the interests of small and independent American craft brewers —… Read more »