Editor’s Note: The below news items were initially reported in the Brewbound Insider Newsletter January 7-9. Not an Insider? Become one today to get earlier access to what’s going on in the industry.
Monday Night Co-Founder Jeff Heck Steps Down as CEO
Monday Night Brewing (MNB) co-founder and CEO Jeff Heck has stepped down from his c-suite role, passing the baton to fellow co-founder Joel Iverson, he announced on LinkedIn this week.
Heck will remain a co-owner of the Atlanta-based craft brewery, and will focus his time on Southstone Holdings, an investment firm he co-founded in 2024, he shared.
He wrote: “This transition feels right. Monday Night Brewing is healthy, strong, and led by people who care deeply about the work, our culture, and our community. Joel is the right leader for this next chapter, and I’m excited to support him and stay meaningfully connected to MNB.
“At the same time, I’m looking forward to giving my full attention to Southstone as we partner with other small and mid-sized businesses to help them grow and thrive.”
Heck, Iverson and Jonathan Baker started MNB as a homebrewing project, and launched the brand in 2011. Heck has served as full-time CEO since 2016, according to the Southstone website.
MNB now operates six locations across Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee, including The Grove (Atlanta), Monday Night Social Club (Birmingham), Monday Night Preservation Co. (Nashville), Monday Night Proofing Co. (Knoxville), Monday Night Garden Co. (Charlotte) and Monday Night Garage (Atlanta).
At its peak in 2022, MNB produced 25,000 barrels of beer annually, according to data from the Brewers Association (BA). That peak was followed by a 16% decline, to 21,000 barrels in 2023 – the last year data for the brewery was published by the BA.
Samuel Adams Brewer Megan Parisi Heads to Product Development
Veteran craft brewer Megan Parisi is transitioning to the greater beverage development business.
Parisi, who has spent nearly seven years as the head brewer at the Samuel Adams Boston Taproom, is now a product developer for the greater Boston Beer Company enterprise, she announced on LinkedIn this week.
Parisi has worked at Boston Beer for more than a decade in head brewer and research and development roles. She has also held brewer roles at several other craft breweries, including Mercury Brewing (Ipswich, Massachusetts), Cambridge Brewing (Cambridge, Massachusetts), Bluejacket (Washington, D.C.) and Wormtown Brewery (Worcester, Massachusetts).
Parisi wrote: “After 22 years of brewing beer, this will be a major change for me but I am excited at this opportunity to learn more about the full range of products at the Boston Beer Company, and bring my more than two decades of innovation experience to our extremely talented product development team.”
Sycamore Brewing to Rebrand
Sycamore Brewing has filed to rebrand its LLC as “Club West Brewing” The Charlotte Business Journal first reported this week.
The move is the latest attempt to separate the Charlotte, NC company from its co-founder Justin Brigham, who was arrested last month on charges of statutory rape of a child by an adult, first degree burlgary and indecent liberties with a child, among other charges.
Following Brigham’s arrest, Sycamore owner and co-founder Sarah Taylor – who is also Brigham’s soon-to-be ex-wife – announced Brigham would divest of “all of his interest” in the company and have “no further involvement,” effective immediately.
Since the initial arrest reports, some retail partners have pulled Sycamore products from shelves and Charlotte Douglas International Airport announced a rebranding of the airport’s Sycamore taproom. Sycamore has also temporarily closed its own Charlotte taproom to “allow space for processing, healing and beginning the work of reimaging the community space.”
Funkytown Receives $3.7 Million Grant for Taproom Project
Former Brewbound Pitch Slam winner Funkytown Brewery has been awarded a $3.7 million Community Development Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Planning & Development, which will be used to help the Chicago-based, Black-owned craft brewery build its first independent taproom.
Funkytown’s project was one of 58 to be awarded grants this week, totaling $33 million. Funkytown’s full project – which will house brewing, distribution and retail – is estimated to cost $7.4 million.
As previously reported, Funkytown’s future space will be located near the United Center on the West Side of Chicago, and will be a part of The 1901 Project, a $7 billion privately funded project meant to transform underdeveloped areas in the city to create community hubs.
Until the space is operational, Funkytown’s beers continue to be produced in Chicago and Milwaukee through Pilot Project, a brewery incubator that helped launch Funkytown in 2021.
Funkytown co-founder and CEO Rich Bloomfield wrote on LinkedIn Thursday: “This grant marks a significant step forward for Funkytown, and we are grateful for the city of Chicago’s belief in our project, which aims to enhance local community and cultural impact, create employment and education opportunities, and contribute to the revitalization of the west side of Chicago.
“This funding will bolster our capital raise efforts, as the city’s investment in Funkytown and the surrounding neighborhood is set to create a catalytic economic environment that accelerates community development, boosts employment opportunities, drives sales growth, and supports structural improvements.”
Beverages Drag Tilray Brands’ Q2
Global cannabis, wellness and beverage firm Tilray Brands reported earnings Thursday, with increases in net revenue both overall (+3%) and in its cannabis business (+3%). However, the company’s beverage portfolio – which includes nearly 20 craft beer brands – recorded a 20.6% decline between Q1 and Q2.
Beverage net revenue was $50.1 million in Q2, down from $63.1 million in Q1. Beverage gross profit declined 37.7%, to $15.7 million, down from $25.2 million in Q1. Gross margin across the beverage portfolio declined to 31%, down from 40%.
Asked if he still believes in the company’s expansive craft beer portfolio, built via several acquisitions that began in 2020, Tilray CEO Irwin Simon said: “We went from probably being the 10th or 11th largest craft brewer now down to the fourth largest craft brewer. So there’s a lot that’s happened over the last 4 to 5 years. And with that, there’s been a lot of integrations.
“And these brands that we bought from ABI [Anheuser-Busch InBev] and from Molson [Coors], they were not some of the best-performing brands at the time, and it took some time to turn them around. So yes, I have a lot of confidence.”
Tilray’s craft portfolio includes 10 Barrel, Alpine, Atwater, Blue Point, Breckenridge, Green Flash, Hop Valley, Montauk, Red Hook, Revolver, Runner’s High, Shock Top, Square Mile Cider, SweetWater, Terrapin and Widmer Brothers.
Rupee Beer Reaches the PNW
Rupee Beer is now available across Washington via Columbia Distributing, the India-influenced craft brewery announced this week.
Portland, Maine-based Rupee Beer is now available in 21 states, with direct-to-consumer (DTC) shipping to 45 states.
Rupee Beer co-founder Van Sharma graced the Brewbound Live stage last month to talk about the company’s growth and marketing strategies. Watch the discussion here.
Christopher Walken Wants More Human Connection in 2026 – Fueled by Miller Lite
Christopher Walken is staying loyal to Miller Lite in 2026.
The actor has collaborated again with the Molson Coors beer brand in a new ad series, “Legendary Moments Start with a Lite,” that is “designed to remind people that the moments we remember most start with a buddy over a beer,” according to a press release.
The first ad, “Ditch the Apps,” debuts this week during the NFL playoffs, and features Walken scolding a man for scrolling on his phone at a bar, and encourages him to meet a woman in real life – using two Miller Lites as a way into a conversation.
Two more ads – “Ditch Going Home” and “Just Say Yes” – will roll out later this year, with additional campaign content, including influencer partnerships, published across social channels and retail.
Molson Coors, North America CMO Sofia Colucci, said in the release “For more than five decades, Miller Lite has been part of people’s favorite memories. This platform is about
inspiring the next generation of legendary moments by encouraging people to say yes to plans and enjoy the simple moments that bring us together.
Modelo Chelada Goes NA
Constellation Brands has extended its leading michelada brand into non-alc (NA).
Modelo Chelada Limón y Sal Non-Alcoholic is rolling out in select markets now, including Illinois, New York, Texas, Florida and California. The offering is available in 12 o.z can 6-packs, line-priced with sibling brand Corona Non-Alcoholic.
The NA offering expands on one of Constellation’s top innovations, which has been “the leading [ready-to-drink] RTD michelada for six straight calendar years,” according to a company spokesperson.
Modelo VP of brand marketing Logan Jensen said: “People want choices without having to compromise, and Modelo Chelada Non‑Alcoholic does exactly that. Limón y Sal has been the fan favorite in our ready-to-drink Chelada lineup for six years running, so it was the obvious pick for our first non‑alcoholic release. It brings moderation and flavor together, with the authentic sabor that defines the Modelo Chelada product line.”