Expert Topic What to do in Las Vegas for CBC
The U.S. brewing industry will soon turn its attention to Sin City, as Las Vegas hosts the annual Craft Brewers Conference, Brew Expo America, and World Beer cup. Some have questioned holding the event in the city, citing it’s overall lack of craft beer culture and destinations. However, locals are pushing back on that notion, highlighting a growth of local breweries in the last several years, bars dedicated to interesting drafts, and restaurants that have well-thought-out beer menus.
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News Seattle Sisters Now Under Same Roof – Pike Brewing Owner Buys Fremont
Seattle Hospitality Group (SHG), which owns the pioneering Pike Brewing, has acquired a controlling interest in Seattle’s Fremont Brewing. Freemont Brewing is the third-largest brewery in Washington State, producing over 50,000 barrels of beer in 2022.
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News BA Releases Craft Beer Production Numbers for 2023 – Production Down 1%
The Brewers Association (BA) released their annual production figures today for the U.S. craft brewing industry. Independently owned craft breweries had a production decline in 2023 of 1.0%. The number of operating craft breweries continued to climb in 2023, reaching an all-time high of 9,683.
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News Craft and Corona Icon – Gambrinus Founder Carlos Alvarez Dies at 73
Carlos Alvarez, founder of the Gambrinus Company and credited with bringing Modelo and Corona to the U.S. and also taking on craft brands such as Bridgeport Brewing, Pete’s Brewing and Trumer Pils has passed away. He was 73.
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News IMPORTANT: MJF Kicks Off Matching Grant Challenge Leading up to CBC
In this third year of ProBrewer support for The Michael James Jackson Foundation for Brewing and Distilling’s annual $100k Matching Grant Challenge drive, we checked in on the foundation and the impact it has had on the industry. We caught up by email with Garrett Oliver, MJF founder and Head Brewer for Brooklyn Brewery, and heard directly from The MJF Director of Operations, Breeze Galindo along with MJF recipients who have advanced their careers as a direct result of the many donations from people like yourself.
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News BI and NBWA Beer Metrics Show Optimistic Signs for Year-to-Date
The Beer Institute has released their estimate of domestic tax paid shipments by beer brewers for February 2024 which shows shipments of 11,900,000 barrels for the month, an encouraging increase of 7.9% compared to February 2023 removals of 11,024,243. It follows an increase of 1.8% in January, which indicates that the huge declines of last year may be leveling off.
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Expert Topic Can’t Miss Seminars for the 2024 Craft Brewers Conference
This year, what happens in Vegas hopefully follows you home and stays with you all year long. The annual Craft Brewers Conference is of course a time to network (and commiserate) with fellow brewers, a chance to inspect the newest technology and equipment, and to make connections. It’s also a chance to attend well-researched seminars given by thoughtful, experienced presenters and hopefully bring that knowledge back to your breweries. Let’s look at five standout sessions that you should consider attending.
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News Three Big Brewers Drop 1 Million Barrels of Craft Sales in 2023
Three global brewers with “craft” brand ownership lost a combined 1 million barrels in sales in 2023 according to estimates from Beer Marketer’s Insights. Meanwhile, Constellation sold off their remaining craft brands, in a growing trend of Big Beer losing interest in the US craft beer segment.
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News Kendall-Jackson Becomes First NBA Wine Partner
Winemaker Kendall-Jackson has reached a deal with the National Basketball Association to become the league’s first official wine partner. It is another signal that the wine industry is making moves to capture consumers who are moving away from drinking beer.
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News ADI to Hold Annual Craft Spirits Conference & Vendor Expo in Baltimore August 27-28
The American Distilling Institute will hold its 21st annual Craft Spirits Conference and Vendor Expo in Baltimore August 27-28 at the Baltimore Convention Center and Hilton Inner Harbor. Early Bird registration rates are now open.
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Expert Topic Craft Brewers Conference Curtain Raiser: What’s New at CBC this Year?
The Brewers Association (BA) is busy prepping for the arrival of thousands of brewers, industry suppliers, and others at its annual Craft Brewers Conference (CBC). Hosted this year in Las Vegas, the conference comes at a time of considerable consternation and anxiety in a flat brewing industry. The BA planned seminars and speakers to help smaller brewers navigate these challenging times. I spoke with Ann Obenchain, the BA’s Vice President of Marketing and Communications, about what brewers can expect at this year’s conference.
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News Beer Institute Honors Top Industry Employees with ‘Best in Brew Award’
The Beer Institute has recognized 12 beer industry employees with its inaugural Best in Brew Award, which honors exceptional employees from Beer Institute member companies. The awards are given to beer industry workers who go above and beyond, demonstrating outstanding dedication and contributions to their respective companies and the beer industry.
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Expert Topic Considering Small Solutions for In-House Canning Lines
Mobile canning has been a boon for the craft beer industry. A good number of breweries have been able to grow and thrive by having outside companies come in with equipment to help move hazy IPA and more out the door. Even as those companies add more features to their equipment – including lines that can handle wild beers – some brewers are looking to add their own canning equipment.
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News The Michael Jackson Foundation Announces New Scholarship Recipients and Annual Matching Funding Drive
The Michael James Jackson Foundation for Brewing & Distilling (The MJF) today announced the latest winners of its scholarship awards, as well as its third annual matching funding challenge. Beginning today, The MJF will launch its 2024 matching challenge to match the first $100,000 in donations made through April 23rd, the start of the Craft Brewer Conference in Las Vegas.
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News UK Brewery Closures Increase by 82% in 2023
The number of breweries in the UK breweries that closed in 2023 grew by 82%, rising from 38 in 2022 to 69 by the end of December. The reasons for the sudden spike in closures seems to mirror those in the US where an increase in cost of goods, reduced consumer spending due to inflation and changing consumer drinking habits all had an impact on craft breweries.
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News Nancy Johnson to Retire as VP of Events at Brewers Association
The Brewers Association announced today the retirement of Nancy Johnson, senior vice president of meetings and events. Nancy has been the band leader and calm demeanor in charge of BA events for three decades. She will leave the organization at the end of 2024 and will be missed by all.
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News Ray Daniels Sells Cicerone Program to Two Industry Veterans
Founder Ray Daniels announced today that he has sold the Cicerone Certification Program to two Master Cicerones with deep experience in the beer industry. Dan Imdieke and Jason Pratt will take over the sixteen-year-old program which will continue to be based in Chicago
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