INSIDER’S Week in Beer: 💂How to Say Craft in a British Accent
Apparently the U.K. beer scene saw MILLER LITE’s revival of Less Filling, Tastes Great and said, ‘Hey let’s do that for craft beer!’ Yes, the great BA independent seal debate of 2018 (which seems like it might as well have happened in 1998) has reared its head across the pond in 2024. (Wait, I thought they were supposed to be 5+ hours ahead of us?)
Boston Beer Continues to Invest in Hard Tea as Truly Sinks Lower; Analysts Express Concern
Boston Beer Company’s Q3 financials were described by one analyst, Bernstein’s Nadine Sarwat, as “a messy set of results.” The company’s portfolio – including Samuel Adams, Dogfish Head, Truly Hard Seltzer, Angry Orchard, Sun Cruiser and Hard MTN Dew – reported a -1.9% year-over-year (YoY) decline in shipments (sales to wholesalers) and -3% decline in depletions (sales to retailers) in the quarter.
A Round With … Rafael D’Armas
It’s hard to find someone with a more meteoric rise in craft beer than Rafael D’Armas. In about three years, he went from a production intern to graduating from the World Brewing Academy’s master brewer program. Now a brewer at New York City’s KCBC and a board member of the Michael James Jackson Foundation for Brewing and Distilling (MJF), Rafael shares his thoughts on the evolving craft beer world.
Boston Beer Q3 Shipments -1.9%, Depletions -3%; $42.6 Million Impairment Taken for Dogfish Head, Coney Island and Angel City
Boston Beer Company eked out a year-over-year (YoY) increase in revenue in Q3, despite another quarter of contracting shipments and depletions, and several impairment charges for its craft brands.
Oskar Blues Rolling Out Dale’s Easy IPA and Designated Dale’s NA Pils
Monster-owned Oskar Blues is taking it easy for its 2025 innovation slate. The brewery’s two newest offerings are Dale’s Easy IPA (4.9% ABV) and Designated Dale’s NA Pils, the brand’s first-ever non-alcoholic (NA) beer. Both are rolling out this month, and mark a continuation of Oskar Blues’ transformation of Dale’s into a brand family. “After… Read more »
Maui Parent Company Spins Modern Times Off into Strategic Partnerships
Craft ‘Ohana announced a pair of “strategic partnerships” for the future of the Modern Times Beer brand and hospitality business that will see the Hawaii-headquartered company step back from the daily operations to “focus and double down” on growing Maui Brewing.
Keurig Dr Pepper To Acquire GHOST, Move Energy Drink to Own Distribution Network
Keurig Dr Pepper has agreed terms to acquire energy drink and sports nutrition business GHOST, bringing one of the category’s fastest growing brands into its expanding energy portfolio.
Brewbound Podcast: Chula Vista Founder Tim Parker on How Meditation Can Improve Your Business
Chula Vista Brewery co-founder Tim Parker shares how meditation, mindfulness and taking care of your mental health can help your business on the latest edition of the Brewbound Podcast.
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Circana: Craft Losses Soften Again; New Belgium Leading Declines in Top 30 Craft
Craft declines continue to soften in off-premise scans, according to market research firm Circana. Craft dollar sales in Circana-tracked off-premise channels (multi-outlet + convenience) declined -3.6% and volume -5.4% year-over-year (YoY) in the four-week period ending October 6.
Georgetown Brewing Acquires Timber City Ginger Beer
Georgetown Brewing has acquired Timber City Ginger, a fellow Seattle-based ginger beer maker, the brewery announced today. Ten-year-old Timber City’s portfolio includes both non-alcoholic (NA) and hard ginger beer, both of which Georgetown plans to continue producing.
Massachusetts’ Dorchester Brewing to Focus on Own Brand as it Ceases Contract Brewing; Planned Aeronaut Merger Paused
Boston-based Dorchester Brewing is wrapping up its contract brewing business, the company announced last week. The brewery opened in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood in 2016 with a dual business model of contract production and brewing under its own brand for distribution and taproom service.
NA Beer Brand Best Day Brewing Secures $12.5M Investment
Non-alcoholic (NA) beer brand Best Day Brewing has added another $12.5 million in investment as part of a Series B round, bringing its total fundraising to $22.5 million this year.
Early Registration Pricing Ends this Friday (10/25) for Brewbound Live 2024
Early registration pricing expires this Friday, October 25, for Brewbound Live Winter 2024, taking place on December 11 + 12 in Marina del Rey, CA. Register now and save $100 per registration.
INSIDER’S Week in Beer: 🏈 Bud Light Drafts a New QB
Sorry, Travis Kelce, there’s a new football player in town … or at least there is for BUD LIGHT (then again, buying your own craft brewery certainly raises some issues there). Thus, Tampa Bay QB Baker Mayfield is the brand new addition to the BL athlete spokesperson lineup, although, gotta say – this creative could use some work IMO (his PROGRESSIVE ads were far better).