The Detroit-based brewery was eyeing a $15 million, 100,000-barrel capacity facility in Austin and a similar one in North Carolina. Both facilities were slated to be up-and-running this year, but “the end of 2016” is now a more realistic timeframe for the two breweries to come online, according to chief Mark Rieth.

A-B is window shopping in Florida, if the Tampa Tribune is to be believed. Cigar City is among potential conquests.

The first IRI data for the new year has hit. For the period ending January 25, craft dollar sales are up 19.9% YTD in the largest account universe of multi-outlet and convenience (MULC). The category is growing slightly slower in food, up 17.1% YTD, as craft makes gains in other channels.

This morning, sister pub BBD reported on the introduction of the Beer Institute’s Fair BEER Act tax reform measure in the House. Terms are as follows (as per bill parlance, we assume):

Craft Brew Alliance has just issued preliminary results for 2014, though their final full year and Q4 call won’t hit ’till March.

The papers don’t waste a chance to write about craft, especially in the era of deal-making (which isn’t about to stop).

Katherine “Katie” Marisic has been named Federal Affairs Manager at the Brewers Association, per BA announcement, effective February 16.

Today, San Antonio-based up-and-comer Freetail Brewing Co. sent notice that they are embarking on their second big market expansion.

Less than a year ago, director of the Brewers Association, Paul Gatza, stood on stage at the annual Craft Brewers Conference and stressed the importance of “Quality, Quality, QUALITY”… adding, “seriously, don’t f*ck it up.” The mantra quickly became quotable.

That’s one way to make your East Coast outpost feel more like your original home market: Green Flash will today announce plans to match San Diego pricing and product assortment in Virginia Beach, where they will open their second flagship facility next year.

Cavalier Distributing of Florida will now handle Bell’s distribution in South Florida, per statement from the brewer this morning. Counties covered in the partnership include Broward, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Monroe.

Florida beer politics is always good for some moving parts. After a split-second where it looked like a clean growler bill might have consensus [see CBD 12-09-2014] , other things took the spotlight — namely, the recent lawsuit to clarify licensing, which some said could stop craft brewers from being able to operate tap rooms.

Stone Brewing’s Twitter account has indicated that envelope-pushing BrewDog of Scotland could be readying for a potential move to the states.

A-B has just purchased 20-year-old Seattle brewer Elysian, per company statement. The deal should close in Q1 2015.

They are people of their word: SweetWater sales chief told CBD last summer that they’d look to “key Texas cities” around Q4. And just this morning, the brewery announced it will hit Texas and Maryland next month, after having opened five new markets in 2014.