Dear Client:  Brewers Association chief Bob Pease kicked off the Craft Brewers Conference in Las Vegas this morning, welcoming a crowd of 9,500 members, 1,000-plus international attendees, and 750 exhibitors. Out of the gate, Bob acknowledged what surely most everyone in this crowd of thousands is feeling -- that these are challenging times “for all … You are unauthorized to view this page ..read more

Dear Client:    Today, two of the largest Black-owned breweries (in the largest beer-drinking state) are announcing a watershed alliance to leverage its members’ strengths and show up at market in a much bigger way. Crowns & Hops is teaming up with another California-based, Black-owned brewery, Full Circle Brewing Co., to realize scale and efficiencies. The new shared resources platform is dubbed “Circle of Crowns Beverage Group” (CCBG).  The alliance “combines two leading Black-owned brands and centralizes production, sales and marketing between the two companies,” per ..read more

Dear Client:    Dogfish Head has a few key plays on the leadup to summer -- including distinctive new packaging, a new 120 Minute release and more.  NEW PACKAGING: PAINT IT BLACK. Around May, it will be time for Dogfish Head’s new packaging to show up on shelves.  They’re losing the color with the current shark … You are unauthorized to view this page ..read more

Dear Client:    The Brewers Association dropped its Annual Craft Brewing Industry Production Report this morning, giving us a look not only at volume movement for BA-defined craft in 2023, but also dollar trends, brewery count, openings/closings, and how the Top 50 brewers of this bunch shook out.  Let’s dive in… CRAFT VOLUME DOWN 1% IN … You are unauthorized to view this page ..read more

Dear Client:    There’s been quite a bit of news coming out of Shiner, Texas lately, from new brands, to new campaigns, and even new frontiers like spirits, yet despite all the news, the focus remains on its tried and true. “We're looking at our two big bets – Shiner Bock and Shiner Light Blonde -- … You are unauthorized to view this page ..read more

Dear Client:    A couple years back, we brought you news of a new-to-world packaging vessel from O-I Glass, called the Drinktainer [see CBD 02-04-2022]. Seemingly spawned out of the pandemic and its effect on bev-alc to-go, O-I unveiled the Drinktainer – a single-serve, recyclable glass container that features a RipCap closure – that was designed … You are unauthorized to view this page ..read more

Dear Client:    Tilray has bought its way to a top five craft brewer spot over the past four years — first, as Aphria, by entering the U.S. beer market via the SweetWater acquisition in 2020, then culminating in last year’s buyout of eight Anheuser-Busch craft brands.  But they intend to be a lot bigger in … You are unauthorized to view this page ..read more

Dear Client:    Celebrating 30 years in business this year, Houston-based Saint Arnold Brewing is happy they’ve stayed independent.  “To me, staying independent was very, very important. Always,” founder Brock Wagner told CBD, noting that while “I did entertain some offers … I realized that I love doing this. “I’m much happier running the brewery and … You are unauthorized to view this page ..read more

Dear Client:    Whether it's new partnerships, new packaging or new personal records, Athletic Brewing continues to break barriers and level up. CMO of Athletic Brewing Andrew Katz told CBD this week that “we're very aware” of the fact that Athletic’s “roots are in athletes and performance,” but since joining the company, “one of the things … You are unauthorized to view this page ..read more

Dear Client:    Bell’s has had an action-packed 12 months. They went national by the end of last year, saw new brass come online, and have introduced some key new extensions to their long-popular flagships, Oberon and Two Hearted.  The company has emerged from the change a stronger company, at least by scan standards: The Bell’s … You are unauthorized to view this page ..read more