Dear Client:    The busy season in beer is nearly here, and Dogfish Head is geared up for it with a number of releases, activations, programs and even new packaging across its beer and canned cocktail biz. Co-founder Sam Calagione sat down with CBD this morning to give us a peek at what’s in store and … Continue reading “Dogfish Head Rolling a Tequila Canned Cocktail Next Month”

Dear Client:    The Brewers Association dropped its Annual Craft Brewing Industry Production Report this morning, giving us a look not only at volume movement for BA-defined craft in 2023, but also dollar trends, brewery count, openings/closings, and how the Top 50 brewers of this bunch shook out.  Let’s dive in… CRAFT VOLUME DOWN 1% IN … Continue reading “Craft’s 2023 Tallies Are In: Volume Down 1%; Dollars up 3%”

Dear Client:    There’s been quite a bit of news coming out of Shiner, Texas lately, from new brands, to new campaigns, and even new frontiers like spirits, yet despite all the news, the focus remains on its tried and true. “We’re looking at our two big bets – Shiner Bock and Shiner Light Blonde — … Continue reading “Shiner Still “Incredibly Focused” on Bock and Light Blonde”

Dear Client:    A couple years back, we brought you news of a new-to-world packaging vessel from O-I Glass, called the Drinktainer [see CBD 02-04-2022]. Seemingly spawned out of the pandemic and its effect on bev-alc to-go, O-I unveiled the Drinktainer – a single-serve, recyclable glass container that features a RipCap closure – that was designed … Continue reading “Right Coast Spirits Brings Novel Package to Shelf”

Dear Client:    Minnesota-based Surly Brewing Co. has come out as a major player as the state’s closely-watched hemp-derived delta-9 THC beverages market continues to develop.  While Surly has emerged as a sought after contract brewer for other companies looking to expand or break into the d-9 market (more on that later), it says its plans … Continue reading “Delta-9 Demand Driving New Expansion for Surly”

Dear Client:    Tilray has bought its way to a top five craft brewer spot over the past four years — first, as Aphria, by entering the U.S. beer market via the SweetWater acquisition in 2020, then culminating in last year’s buyout of eight Anheuser-Busch craft brands.  But they intend to be a lot bigger in … Continue reading “Tilray Wants to be a Bigger Bev Alc Player”

Dear Client:    Iowa-based Climbing Kites, the state’s first and top-selling cannabis-infused (delta-9) beverage, has signed with a couple of big beer wholesalers to help them expand their footprint in the state and beyond.  Climbing Kites was acquired by regional Iowa craft brewer Big Grove Brewing (a 30,000-barrel craft brewer) in February.  “Having recently secured Iowa … Continue reading “Iowa D-9 Player, Climbing Kites, Expands with Iowa Beverage and Tennessee’s Eagle Distributing”

Dear Client:    Celebrating 30 years in business this year, Houston-based Saint Arnold Brewing is happy they’ve stayed independent.  “To me, staying independent was very, very important. Always,” founder Brock Wagner told CBD, noting that while “I did entertain some offers … I realized that I love doing this. “I’m much happier running the brewery and … Continue reading “Saint Arnold Still Growing 30 Years Later”

Dear Client:    Whether it’s new partnerships, new packaging or new personal records, Athletic Brewing continues to break barriers and level up. CMO of Athletic Brewing Andrew Katz told CBD this week that “we’re very aware” of the fact that Athletic’s “roots are in athletes and performance,” but since joining the company, “one of the things … Continue reading “Athletic Making Moves into Music and Single-Serves”

Dear Client:    Bell’s has had an action-packed 12 months. They went national by the end of last year, saw new brass come online, and have introduced some key new extensions to their long-popular flagships, Oberon and Two Hearted.  The company has emerged from the change a stronger company, at least by scan standards: The Bell’s … Continue reading “Extending Has Paid Off for Bell’s”

Dear Client:    The hemp-derived delta-9 news just keeps coming: Now, out of Minnesota, top 50 craft brewer Surly Brewing Co. has just entered into a contract brewing partnership to produce THC-infused beverages for HighBridge Premium. The co-packing partnership comes as Surly is retrofitting its brewery to accommodate more contract brewing, including an influx of d-9 … Continue reading “Surly Overhauls Production Facility as D-9 Co-Packing Biz Ramps Up”

Dear Client:    A peek into Boston Beer’s 2023 annual report, released late last week, shows just how reliant on beyond beer the company has become – and how it’s reinventing their infrastructure.  Much of the report’s innards have been disclosed on earnings calls or previous filings. Regardless, the two most surprising numbers for this legacy … Continue reading “The Boston Chameleon Company on the High Cost of Innovation”

Dear Client:    As you likely know, the TTB has been mulling labeling requirements for beverage alcohol, considering mandatory disclosure rules for alcohol content, major allergens, nutritional info and ingredients. Seeking input on these potential changes, the TTB has held two listening sessions over the past several weeks and gathered written comments from interested parties at … Continue reading “The BA Submits its Say on Labeling Requirements”

Dear Client:    In a long-ranging interview with Tilray Brands brass, U.S. beer division chief Ty Gilmore and new CMO Prinz Pinakatt shared their big bets for ‘24.  They also revealed a minor addiction to innovation.  Tilray Beer focuses on three main strategies to win in the beer market: regional “jewels” (like SweetWater, Montauk, Redhook, Widmer), … Continue reading “Tilray Can’t Stop Innovating”

Dear Client:    Golden Road is doubling down in the wheat beer space, bringing a traditional wheat beer to market this year with Golden Road Belgian White. It’s particularly timely, as you may recall that A-B sold its once-giant Belgian wheat beer play, Shock Top, to Tilray last year.  CBD readers may know that Golden Road’s … Continue reading “A-B Leans Into its Lead Wheat Player with New Golden Road Belgian White”