From RTDs to Rum: How Spirits Are Rebranding In a Saturated Market
Across oversaturated retail shelves, bev-alc brands are under pressure to stand out.
In premium spirits and canned cocktails, brands have learned that calling out unique ingredients and connecting to audiences through their own cultural stories is key to positioning. They’re also balancing bolder looks with conveying brand values, health benefits and taste without over-messaging. Many have gone back to the drawing board, honing their brand prepositions and packaging.
🤔 INSIDER’S Week in Beer: Maybe Beer Should Sit Out Some Viral Trends
Well craft beer, I wish I could say I find this kinda thing off-brand here in 2024 … but I don’t think that Porch Drinking’s roundup of over 30 “Hawk Tuah” themed beers on UNTAPPD surprises anyone anymore.
A Round With…Meghan Ireland, WhistlePig’s Chief Blender
We talked with Meghan Ireland, WhistlePig’s chief blender, about how the company culture fosters experimentation, where she finds inspiration, and even what opportunities Dry January brings.
Firestone Walker: Creating ‘Trinity’ in On-Premise with 805 Extensions; Believe Brand Legacy Can Combat ‘Faux-stalgia’ Brands
Despite industry scan trends, Firestone Walker believes “the American craft beer industry is as strong as ever.” The Duvel-owned California craft brewery is focused on its core beer brands in 2025, and believes those brands can satisfy both classic craft beer consumers and new drinkers, leadership detailed Monday in a virtual presentation for wholesale partners.
California Craft Brewers Association Executive Director Lori Ajax to Leave Role at End of 2024
California Craft Brewers Association (CCBA) executive director Lori Ajax will vacate the position at the end of 2024, the trade association representing California’s craft brewing industry shared Wednesday.
Brewbound Podcast: A Beloved Brewpub Says Farewell
Cambridge Brewing Company (CBC) founder Phil Bannatyne joins the Brewbound Podcast to discuss the recent announcement that the Massachusetts brewpub will shut its doors in December after 35 years in business.
New This Year: Submit Your Nominations for Brewbound’s Best Of 2024 Awards
Brewbound’s annual Best Of Awards are accepting nominations for 2024! The awards celebrate beverage-alcohol companies for their achievements and impact throughout the last year and serve as an appreciation of notable industry members, trend setters, breakout brands, change agents and up-and-coming entrepreneurs.
BeerBoard: Draft Beer Volume +8.3% During NFL Opening Weekend
Draft beer reclaimed the volume lost during last year’s National Football League (NFL) opening weekend (September 5-8), according to on-premise data firm BeerBoard.
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Above Premium a Key Focus of Molson Coors’ 2025 US Growth Strategy; Company to Partner with Australia’s Naked Life Non-Alc Cocktail Brand
Molson Coors chief commercial officer Michelle St. Jacques laid out the company’s 2025 strategy in the U.S. as part of its “next chapter” as she opened the 2024 distributor convention in San Antonio Tuesday afternoon. Although the core remains a top priority, Molson Coors will put a large focus on its above premium portfolio.
CPI: Beer Inflation Remains Above Other Bev-Alc Categories; Below Total Inflation Away from Home
Beer inflation eased slightly in August, but still remains above other bev-alc categories and the total industry, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report.
Bump Williams: New-to-World Brands at Forefront of Spirits RTD Growth; Sales Trends Slow By More Than Half
Spirits-based ready-to-drink (RTD) products will face a challenge to maintain double-digit growth rates in 2025, including a decluttering of items at retail in order for the segment to remain healthy, according to Bump Williams Consulting’s (BWC) monthly report.
Jim Koch: On-Premise ‘Somewhat Neglected;’ Boston Beer’s Innovation ‘Sweet Spot;’ Truly Harder to Stabilize Than Anticipated
Boston Beer Company founder Jim Koch tackled several industry issues during a fireside chat at the Barclays Global Consumer Conference last week. Koch hit on issues from beer growth and headwinds to opportunities in the on-premise channel and early returns on the company’s new premium vodka-based hard tea brand Sun Cruiser.
Flaviar Acquires Speakeasy Co., Boosting B2B Business
Bev-Alc marketplace Flaviar has acquired industry fulfillment service provider, Speakeasy Co., bolstering its B2B capabilities as it aims to become a multi-billion-dollar global bev-alc e-commerce player. Terms of the cash and stock deal were not disclosed.
Firestone Walker to Focus on Core Brands for 2025 Growth; Addresses Flavor Demand with Beer-Forward Innovation
Duvel Moortgat-owned Firestone Walker is staying in the beer category in 2025, and believes beer can still speak to consumer needs – even the consumers who “don’t know they like beer yet.”