Brewbound Industry News
Uncle Nearest Files for Bankruptcy to Block Sale of Assets, Sues Lender
The founder of Uncle Nearest has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after the troubled bourbon company defaulted on more than $100 million in loans and went into receivership.
Press Clips: Bev-Alc Leaders Land on Inc.’s 2026 Female Founders 500; Ex-Boston Beer CEO Won’t Seek Board Re-Election
Sixteen leaders from 12 bev-alc brands (and adjacent) were named to Inc.’s 2026 Female Founders 500. Representing craft beer are Holidaily Brewing (Golden, Colorado) founder Karen Hertz, Hot Plate Brewing (Pittsfield, Massachusetts) founder Sarah Real and Talea Beer Co. (Brooklyn, New York) co-founders LeAnn Darland and Tara Hankinson.
NIQ Weekly Scans: Bev-Alc Declines Persist Thru Early March, Dragged by Liquor and Grocery
The kickoff to March brought continued declines for the bev-alc industry in NIQ-tracked off-premise channels, according to the market research firm’s latest weekly report.
Circana Weekly Scans: Bev-Alc YoY Growth Returns, Negative Shift Concerns ‘Placed on Hold’
Bev-alc off-premise dollar sales returned to growth in the latest weekly report from market research firm Circana, suggesting the prior week’s declines may have been a temporary blip (for now).
Schilling Cider & Brooklyn Cider House Leaders Elected to American Cider Association Board
Members of the American Cider Association (ACA) elected two new and four returning representatives to the trade group’s board of directors last month.
Tilray Brands to Acquire BrewDog’s US Assets in Ohio, Las Vegas
Tilray Brands will acquire several assets from BrewDog’s U.S. business, including its Ohio production facility and remaining pubs, the company announced this morning.
January US Beer Shipments -9.4%; Imports -17%; State STWs -11%
U.S. brewers shipped nearly 1 million fewer barrels year-over-year (YoY) in January 2026, according to domestic tax paid shipment data shared by the Beer Institute. Shipments topped 9.6 million barrels in January, a 995,677-barrel decline from the nearly 10.6 million barrels shipped at the start of 2025.
MJF 2025 Impact Report: $608,713 in Scholarships Awarded in Last 5 Years
The Michael James Jackson Foundation (MJF) has helped more than 70 industry members further their education and technical skills in brewing and distilling, according to the nonprofit’s annual impact report, released this month.
Insider’s Week in Beer: NA Beer, Welcome To the A-List
NA beer is now on the list, with a new crop of celebrities joining Tom Holland, Charlie Sheen and John Mulaney – although I’m trying to figure out why no one brought a beer for Mike Meldman.
Numerator: 36% Consumers Plan to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day; 46% of Celebrants to Purchase Bev-Alc
Forty-six-percent of consumers who plan to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) this year, will purchase beverage-alcohol for the occasion, according to consumer research firm Numerator.
Press Clips: Lone River Founder Leaving Diageo; BrewDog Closes Atlanta Location
Check out news items initially reported in the Brewbound Insider Newsletter March 12-13, including headlines from Lone River Ranch Water, Brewdog, Molson Coors and more.
‘Finding Focus Through Values’ with Russian River Co-founder Natalie Cilurzo
“Focus” has been one of the buzziest words for craft breweries over the last 2+ years: focus within portfolios; focus across distribution networks; focus in annual planning and innovation launches, etc.
Former Sycamore Brewing Sold, Will Reopen Saturday as ‘Club West’
Club West, the Charlotte, North Carolina-based craft brewery formerly known as Sycamore Brewing, is in the process of being sold and will reopen this weekend, according to multiple reports published Thursday.
Hurray’s Girl Beer Raises $5 Million, Eyes Midwest and Southeast Expansion
Hurray’s Girl Beer will soon have many more Connors to reject. Fans of the tongue-in-cheek, flavored-beer brand know that Connors are inexplicably persona non grata, and – thanks to a $5 million fundraise – Girl Beer is set to expand that messaging and its beer into the Midwest and Southeast, according to a press release.
Margarita RTDs Outpacing Hard Tea
The ready-to-drink (RTD) margarita is outpacing some of the industry’s hottest new RTD segments, with high ABV and spirit-based versions picking up steam, according to a new report from Bump Williams.
NIQ Weekly Scans: RTDs Remain Only Major Category to Record YoY Growth Thru February
One consistent trend through the first two months of 2026 has been the strength of ready-to-drink cocktails (RTDs).
Brewbound Podcast: A Changing of the Guard at Oxbow
Two months into her role as president of Portland, Maine-based Oxbow Brewing Company, Bri Warner is finding her groove and taking on more of the hands-on, day-to-day operations. The leadership transition allows founder Tim Adams to spend more time evangelizing for Oxbow and Rising Tide, which the company acquired in early 2025.
Cans 78% BA-Defined Craft in 2025, Share Growth Slowing
Cans may be maxing out their share of packaged craft products, Brewers Association (BA) staff economist Matt Gacioch wrote in a recent analysis of 2025 trends.
NIQ: Adult Non-Alc Needs to ‘Move Beyond Flavor Extensions’
Non-alcoholic (NA) wine, beer and spirits still account for less than 1% of total alcohol category sales – leaving a runway for brands that innovate with popular functional ingredients, according to a new report from market research firm NIQ.
Press Clips: Boston Beer to Lay Off 66 Angel City Workers; Black Frog’s 1st Location Closes; BA Offers ‘National Beer Day’ Toolkit
Check out news items initially reported in the Brewbound Insider Newsletter March 9-11, including headlines from Boston Beer, Black Frog, The Brewers Association and more.