The Brewers Association has released their first diversity study, the result of an optional poll of the membership intended to give “a pulse on where craft breweries fall tied to a variety of topics including financials, packaging and distribution, human resources, salaries and…. the diversity among the people who work at craft breweries.” “Anyone… Read More…
‘Hardest Seltzer in the Universe’ from Four Loko
The hard seltzer craze has taken off, with breweries of all sizes jumping into the category. One of the allures of this new beverage is that it seems to satisfy a growing desire by drinkers to consume less alcohol. Most hard seltzers are weighing in at 4-5% abv. Four Loko is looking the… Read More…
To Buy or Not to Buy – ABInBev Faces Deadline on CBA
When Anheuser-Busch InBev partnered with Craft Brew Alliance in 2016, they were given a deadline of August 23rd, 2019 to make a qualifying offer of $24.50 per share, which would amount to about $475 million, or else it has to pay Craft Brew $20 million. The clock is ticking as the deadline nears, and the… Read More…
Odell’s to Expand into Wine
Odell Brewing, the pioneering Colorado brewery, is looking around the alcohol beverage corner and expanding into winemaking. The 30-year-old brewery announced plans to open a wine cellar and tasting room adjacent to its Fort Collins location. “We’ve always been curious and that curiosity has kept us growing and innovating over the last 30… Read More…
The Buying Continues – AB Acquires Platform
They are apparently not done yet. After a break of two years since buying its last craft brewery, many in the industry thought Anheuser-Busch might have set aside its buying spree of craft breweries. Not so, as the global company announced today that it has acquired Platform Beer Co. of Cleveland. Platform fits the… Read More…
UK – CAMRA bans discriminatory labels at beer festival
Beers with “discriminatory names or artwork” have been banned at CAMRA’s flagship event, the Great British Beer Festival, taking place this week in London. All of the festival’s beers, ciders and perries have been checked to ensure they meet CAMRA’s charter and code of conduct. The festival chose Stonewall as this years charity of choice… Read More…
Craft Growth Holds Steady at 4% Mid-Year
Production volume growth for BA-defined craft breweries remained steady for the first half of 2019, holding at 4% growth according to new midyear metrics released by the Brewers Association (BA). “Growth continues to follow a similar pattern we have seen in the past few years, with steady rates in the low-to-mid single digits,” said… Read More…
Brewers Cite the 20 Worst Trends in Brewing
Vinepair.com asked 20 professional brewers what their least favorite trend in brewing was….and got 20 different answers. From “distribution consolidation” to “seltzers in breweries,” the responses are both familiar, and not so familiar. See the list here.
Penn State files lawsuit against Sports Beer Brewing for trademark infringement
Pennsylvania State University (State College, PA) has filed a lawsuit against Sports Beer Brewing for trademark infringement, alleging that it is exploiting its ‘Penn State’ and ‘Nittany Lions’ trademarks. On its website, the Florida-based company owned by Paul Parshall, Sports Beer describes itself as “an intellectual property holding company” with a collection of “sports trademarks,… Read More…
Breaking Loose – Working with Non-Franchise Distributors
Untitled Art Brewing Company formed for all the right reasons; following the dream and passion of creating and selling interesting and unique craft beer. It was the “selling” part that became the biggest challenge for partners Isaac Showaki and Levi Funk. After signing up a large distributor to carry their brand, they soon found… Read More…