Category: Commentary
Opinion and commentary relating to the alcohol beverage industry
News UK Adds 200 New Breweries in Last Year – Total Now at 2,246
New brewery opening in the UK have continued even during the pandemic with 200 new brewery openings in the last 12 months ending March 31st. The tally racks up a 9.1% growth in operating breweries with a current total of 2,426.
(more...)
News Washington Brewers Sue Oregon to Allow DTC and Self-Distribution in High Stakes Case
In what could be a pivotal and landmark court case, three brewers in Washington state have filed a lawsuit against the state of Oregon seeking to ship beer directly to consumers (DTC) and self-distribute to retailers in Oregon.
(more...)
News Stone Fallout – The Why and How of the Brewery that Would ‘Never Sell Out’
The sale of Stone Brewing to Sapporo U.S.A last week is without a doubt the biggest story of the year so far in the craft brewing industry. It has been a relatively quiet year news-wise in the beer industry as a whole, with few large acquisitions being announced half way through 2022. Although it was clear that Stone Brewing was financially stressed after testimony in the Molson Coors litigation became public, it was still a bit of a cultural shock when the sale to Sapporo was announced, perhaps in part because Stone co-founder Greg Koch repeatedly claimed over many years that the company would never “sell out.”
(more...)
News Expert Panel Explores Non-Alcoholic Craft Beer as Segment Continues to Grow
The U.S. non-alcoholic beer market surpassed $9.5 billion in 2019, and is projected to see a steady compound annual growth rate of 7.5% between now and 2026, according to Global Market Insights. More and more craft brewers are looking to the growing segment, not only to tap into the growth potential, but also to fulfill a need of their customer base, who often will switch back forth between full-strength beers and an occasional N/A.
(more...)
News Lagunitas Sells 50% Stake in Moonlight Brewing to The Bruery Founder Patrick Rue
Moonlight Brewing Company, the iconic 30-year old pioneering brewery in Santa Rosa, California has taken another twist in ownership with the announcement that Patrick Rue, founder and former owner of The Bruery would buy the 50% stake in the company that is owned by Heineken.
(more...)
News A List of Over 200 Women-Owned Breweries Across the Country
Writer Emma Wargolet has compiled a list of women-owned breweries across the United States. The list was put together with the help of PorchDrinking writers, Colorado Brewery List, the Pink Boots Society, various Hop Culture articles, and a diverse breweries database created by Jeff Alworth.
(more...)
News AB InBev Projects Strong Growth in 2022 Despite Inflation Fears
AB InBev said its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) would rise by between 4% and 8% this year, with revenue expanding by a higher percentage, according to an article in The Drinks Business.
(more...)
News Latest Round of Craft Brewery Sellouts Causes Barely a Shrug
The M&A bandwagon is rolling again. In just the last four months we’ve seen CANarchy and its five breweries sell to Monster Energy Drinks, Sweetwater Brewing (which is owned by a Canadian cannabis firm) buying Green Flash Brewing, Weeping Radish selling to a construction company owner and Bells’ Brewing selling to Japan’s Kirin, to name just a few.
(more...)
News Non-Alcohol Beer Continues to Grow but Not Easy to Make
Athletic Brewing Co., makers of exclusively non-alcoholic beer, were only two years old when they burst onto the brewing world stage by growing sales 500% in 2020 during the first year of the pandemic and adding a second manufacturing location with the purchase of the Ballast Point Brewing Company in San Diego. They are now distributed in 35 states and have just expanded the capacity of their San Diego facility from 50,000 to 200,000 bbls.
(more...)
News Will the Low and Non-Alcohol Beverage Trend Continue to Grow?
There has been plenty of ‘buzz’ lately about the low and non-alcohol beer category gaining in popularity among consumes of all age groups. Not only have the global brewers added new products to the category, but even craft brewers such as Brooklyn Brewery have jumped in with their Special Effects alcohol-free beer.
(more...)
News Monster Jumps into Alcohol Biz – Buys CANarchy
In another big move in the consolidating beverage industry, Monster Beverage Corporation, maker of Monster Energy drink announced today the acquisition of CANarchy Brewery Collective. CANarchy includes Denver’s Oskar Blues, Cigar City Brewing Co. in Florida, Dallas’ Deep Ellum Brewing Co., Perrin Brewing Co. in Michigan and Utah’s Squatters and Wasatch breweries
(more...)
News Another Casualty in ‘Big Beer Buys Craft Beer’ – Molson Coors to Shut Saint Archer
Molson Coors today announced that it will cease operations of the Saint Archer brewery and remove Saint Archer brands from the retail marketplace. The company plans to sell its San Diego brewery and taproom to Kings & Convicts Brewing Company.
(more...)
News BA Sets Up Fundraiser for Adam Dulye Who Lost Home in Marshall Fire
On December 30, 2021, Brewers Association Executive Chef Adam Dulye, and his two dogs narrowly escaped the town of Superior before the flames from Colorado’s most destructive wildfire in history engulfed their house and destroyed more than 1,000 homes and structures in 24 hours.
(more...)
News Spirits Industry Goes After Beer Market Share in Effort to Lower Taxes on Canned Cocktails
The spirit’s industry has mounted an organized lobbying and marketing campaign to take market share from beer by expanding distribution rights and lowering taxes on canned cocktails, according to an article in the Washington Post.
(more...)
News A New Trend in Craft Brewing? Lost Abbey Announces Bold Move to ‘Grow Down’
Posted by Tom McCormick
The Lost Abbey, considered to be one of the best American producers of barrel-aged Belgian-style sour ales is making an unusual pivot in a rapidly changing and challenging beer industry: they are ‘growing down.’
(more...)