Boulder Beer Retrenches, Pivots to Brewpub Model
Citing increased competition in a crowded marketplace, Boulder Beer Company announced today that it would cease distribution and focus on its brewpub business.
Layoffs
Stony Creek Brewery Lays Off Brewmaster, Sales Director and Key Account Manager
Three key members of Stony Creek Brewery’s team were laid off this week. Stony Creek director of operations Manny Rodriguez confirmed to Brewbound that brewmaster Andy Schwartz, director of sales Jamal Robinson and key account manager Spencer Niebuhr are no longer employed by the company.
Red Bull Terminates 3 Massachusetts Wholesalers, Leading to ‘Mass Layoff’ at Burke
Red Bull North America this week announced it would terminate distribution contracts with three Massachusetts beer and non-alcoholic beverage wholesalers in June, as it transitions to a self-distribution model for off-premise accounts. The energy drink maker also announced it would transfer its on-premise business to wine and spirits distributor Martignetti Companies.
Heineken USA Cuts 15 Percent of Workforce
Yet another large U.S. beer company is making cuts. Citing a need to restructure its sales organization, Heineken USA (HUSA) announced today it would slash 15 percent of its overall workforce.
Hangar 24 Cuts Brewing Staff, Installs New Leadership Team
In the face of declining on- and off-premise retail sales, California’s Hangar 24 Brewing terminated about half of its production staff last Friday, brewery founder Ben Cook confirmed to Brewbound.
The 12 Most-Read Brewbound Stories of 2018
Industry headwinds, brewery acquisitions, the emerging cannabis sector, and the seemingly never ending battle between big and small beer makers were the focus of Brewbound’s most-read stories of 2018.
Deschutes Cuts 7 Percent of Workforce
Oregon’s Deschutes Brewery laid off dozens of employees last week, citing missed growth projections. Speaking to Brewbound, Deschutes Brewery president and CEO Michael LaLonde said the company cut about seven percent of its workforce on Thursday. Affected positions came from sales, marketing and operations.
Anheuser-Busch Lays Off Dozens of Brewery Workers
Anheuser-Busch InBev has eliminated nearly 40 jobs across North America, Brewbound has learned. In a statement issued last Friday, A-B said it was making “a limited number of targeted changes” to its North American “supply organization.”
Lagunitas Layoffs Hit 100 Workers as Heineken-Owned Company Cuts 12 Percent of Workforce
Citing a “challenging” craft beer market, California’s Lagunitas Brewing said Tuesday that it would slash 12 percent of its workforce in a move that will impact at least 100 employees. The announcement comes about 17 months after Heineken International completed its purchase of the Petaluma-headquartered craft brewery.