Pabst Brewing is the country’s fifth largest beer maker, but unlike competitors Anheuser-Busch InBev, MillerCoors, Constellation and Heineken — all of which have made significant investments in the craft space — the company has yet to enter an otherwise frothy craft beer market teeming with eager sellers.

But it’s not because the company lacks a desire to get serious about the segment. In fact, Pabst CEO and chairman Eugene Kashper has publicly acknowledged the fact that a true craft brand is a “big hole” in the company’s portfolio.

So why hasn’t Pabst gotten more aggressive within craft? And what might a deal with Pabst look like?

At the upcoming Brewbound Session, taking place on Dec. 1 at the Paradise Point Resort & Spa in San Diego, Calif., Kashper will join Brewbound editor Chris Furnari in a one-on-one discussion that will examine the company’s partnership strategy and its plans for competing in an already crowded craft segment.

Register Today >>>

Throughout the discussion, Kashper will share how Pabst approaches potential craft partnerships and what he’s learned from his discussions with craft brewery owners across the U.S.

In addition to explaining how a partnership with Pabst would differ from one with other strategic partners or private equity firms, Kashper will also provide an update on the Pabst business, share his thoughts on the current state of the beer market and discuss how he expects the category to evolve over the next 12 to 18 months.

The Brewbound Session, a full-day business conference for serious brewery professionals, will gather 200-plus attendees to discuss important industry issues and exchange ideas while learning strategies for success in the most competitive sector of the alcohol beverage category.

Register Now >>>

The December conference, which will be held at the Paradise Point Resort & Spa for the fifth year in a row, will feature an array of high-level presentations from leading beer industry experts, interactive panel discussions with craft brewery entrepreneurs and thought-provoking conversations with emerging business leaders.

This year’s program is specifically designed to help attendees better understand a dynamic and rapidly evolving marketplace and will feature extended time for guests to network with like-minded entrepreneurs, investors, distributors, suppliers and retailers.

Previously announced also speakers include:

• Vivien Azer, managing director, Cowen & Co.
• Brett Joyce, President, Rogue Ales & Spirits
• Tomme Arthur, Founder, The Lost Abbey
• Joel VandenBrink, Founder, Two Beers Brewing & Seattle Cider Company
• Bart Watson, Chief Economist, Brewers Association
• Lester Jones, Chief Economist, National Beer Wholesalers Association
• Alva Mather, Partner & Chair, Beverage Practice Group

Pricing:

• Standard Registration: $899
• Brewery Attendee: $699

About Brewbound Session:

Focused on the business side of craft brewing, Brewbound Session events offer an unmatched strategic learning opportunity for beer industry professionals by combining the best in business information and networking. The full-day program features a hand-selected roster of industry experts and leaders who, through presentations and panel discussions, will touch on topics including investment, emerging trends, distribution strategies and more. Marketing, merchandising, and the overall state of the craft market are looked at as opportunities for brewers to improve revenue and profitability, and to build the capital structure that will allow them to weather any future storms.