This week was all about the numbers as the third quarter data is now in the books.
Brewbound managing editor Jess Infante and reporter Zoe Licata hosted a Data Club deep dive into the summer selling season and what’s ahead with 3 Tier Beverages consultant Mary Mills and NielsenIQ VP of alcohol industry thought leadership Jon Berg.
Among the takeaways, beer category sales increased 7% in convenience stores for the 13 weeks ending September 13. They also shared the top craft growth styles: hazy imperial/double/triple IPA, imperial/double/triple IPA, American wheat, and pilsner.
As they offer a look ahead, Bump Williams Consulting reviewed craft beer scan data through Q3. Although retail sales tracked by NielsenIQ are down -5% compared to the same period in 2021, they’ve “slowly creeped toward break-even.” Part one of our report includes info on declines in the number of craft brands and SKUs at retail, cans’ growing share of craft beer sales, and growth styles beyond IPA.
Part two of our coverage examines pricing, performance of the top craft vendors, craft brand families and craft brands.
Speaking of numbers, Boston Beer reported Q3 earnings on Thursday: Depletions -6%, Shipments +1, and Dogfish Head takes a $27.1 million non-cash impairment charge to the estimated fair value of its trademark, now valued at $71.4 million.
In other news, Wisconsin Brewing is making Lake Louie Brewing its sole consumer-facing brand and has consolidated its distribution business. Jess spoke with former Molson Coors exec Paul Verdu, who is now running the show in Verona.
Also consolidating operations is Massachusetts cult favorite Trillium, which is moving production to a former Reebok campus in Canton and offering its smaller Canton brewery as a turnkey operation.
The Axe Man cometh: Todd Haug is joining Pilot Project in Chicago. Plus, new hires and promotions at Thorn Brewing, Pabst, RationAle and A-B’s Elysian.
Jess wraps up her coverage of the National Association of Convenience Stores’ (NACS) event in Las Vegas. Check out some of the new products on the way from larger suppliers, including Boston Beer’s Jim Beam Kentucky Coolers FMB and a Twisted Tea challenger from Geloso.
Miss Brew Talks in Denver? This week’s Brewbound Podcast replays our national accounts sales strategy session with leaders from Odell Brewing, Athletic Brewing, Dry Dock Brewing and JuneShine. Plus, Zoe and I talk about the Alliance For Women in Beer and Beer Institute meetings and cover the proposed Kroger-Albertsons supermarket mega merger.
Brewbound’s end-of-year business conference, Brewbound Live, is coming up November 29 and 30 in Santa Monica, California. We revealed another conversation this week focused on creating a strong brand identity. Joining us will be leaders from three breweries with crystalized identities: Rich Bloomfield, co-founder of Funkytown Brewery in Chicago; LeAnn Darland, co-founder of Talea Beer Co. in Brooklyn; and Haidar Hachem, co-owner and head brewer of Shojo Beer Co. in Miami. You can join us too!
Finally, thanks to all of you for being Brewbound Insiders and supporting independent journalism. We couldn’t do all of this without your support.