Hop production in Idaho, Washington and Oregon reached a record high in 2018, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In the USDA’s most recent National Hop Report released this month, total hop production was up 1% in 2018 over the previous year with 107 million pounds. Acres in production also increased to 55,035… Read More…
TTB is ‘Closed’ Due to Government Shutdown
The TTB has ceased most operations due to the lapse in government funding and will not be accepting, reviewing and approving label approvals (COLA). Some “excepted” functions will be operational, including the web site electronic payments function and access to online permits review. The TTB web site will not be updated. No personnel with be… Read More…
LA Distributor Mission Beverage to Close
Mission Beverage in Los Angeles will be closing down after selling off its Heineken brands to both Reyes Beverage Group and Classic Distributing & Beverage. Mission just recently lost its Constellation portfolio to Reyes, which was a significant part of their total business
Cargill to Exit Malt Biz
Minnesota-based Cargill, a well-known name in the brewing industry for almost 40 years is getting out of the malt business, selling the unit to Boortmalt, a European maltster. Last spring, Cargill announced plans to close one of its three U.S. plants, citing falling demand for six-row barley. With the continued growth in high flavor profile… Read More…
BA Changes ‘Craft Brewer’ Definition
The Brewers Association announced in a letter to their membership that the BA board of directors has completed a “review and update” process of the association’s definition of “craft brewer.” The process to review the definition began in summer 2018 with a survey to determine what products members are brewing or may brew in the… Read More…
TTB Fines Wholesaler for Pay-to-Play
Elgin Beverage, an Illinois wholesaler of Constellation Brands and other beverages has been fined by the Alcohol & Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau (TTB) for pay-to-play practices in the marketplace. The TTB accused Elgin of making improper payments to retail accounts seeking preferred placement of its products. The wholesaler negotiated a fine of $325,000 for… Read More…
More Industry Layoffs as Deschutes Cuts Jobs
Bend, Oregon-based craft brewer Deschutes Brewing Company is laying off 10% of its workforce. The 400,000 barrels the company brewed on 2017 make it the 10th largest craft brewer in the U.S. The layoffs, as reported by The Bulletin, come after the company announced it was holding back on building a new brewing facility in… Read More…
Major Equipment Manufacturer DME Goes Under
Canadian brewery equipment manufacturer Diversified Metal Engineering (DME) has gone into receivership, most likely stranding many brewers who have paid deposits on brewing equipment still under production. The company has been a well-known supplier of breweries and tanks to the craft brewing industry since 1991.
Deals Continue – ABV Picks up Sixpoint
Artisanal Brewing Ventures, a private equity group formed by the the merger of Victory Brewing Company and Southern Tier Brewing Company two years ago, announced today that they were acquiring Brooklyn-based Sixpoint Brewing of Brooklyn. “Our resources, expertise in craft beer and high operating standards can unlock Sixpoint’s growth potential, improve its productivity, and… Read More…
BA Proposes Change to Craft Brewer Definition
In a letter to its members, Brewers Association board president Eric Wallace covered three updates from a recent board of directors meeting. The first was a “proposed” update to the Brewers Association’s craft brewer definition. This change would eliminate the “traditional” requirement from the current craft brewer definition. The current definition states that an American… Read More…