Brewbound Industry News

Insider’s Week in Beer: 🤓 Nerds Save Beer

Jocks – beer doesn’t need you anymore. As I’ve documented here over the past few weeks, clearly you’ve broken up with us on many fronts except to occasionally spray our product on each other a couple of times a year in locker rooms. But don’t mind us, we’ll be over here with the cool nerds!

Report: Rogue Ales & Spirits to Cease Operations, Shutter Pubs

Oregon’s Rogue Ales & Spirits has apparently shut down operations at its production facility and brewpubs on Friday, according to a report that first appeared in the Lincoln Chronicle.

Press Clips: Gen Z Craving ‘Product Customization;’ Creature Comforts LA Closes; Great Lakes Heads to Florida

With the snap of Thanos’ fingers, Creature Comforts Los Angeles branded taproom is no more. The taproom closed in October after two years in business.

The Lonely Generation: Gen Z is Craving Connection & Beer Can be the Conduit

The COVID-19 pandemic, increases in remote and hybrid work, inflation and economic uncertainty … all have contributed to many Gen Z consumers feeling lonely. In a recent survey, 15% of Gen Z said they “never” felt lonely in the past year, compared to 60% of baby boomers who said the same, David and Jonah Stillman, the co-founders and father-and-son duo behind consulting firm GenGuru.

Restaurateur to Acquire 10 Iron Hill Locations; Remaining 9 Set for Auction

Iron Hill Brewery may have another act coming. The mid-Atlantic brewpub chain, which abruptly shuttered earlier this fall, is set to be acquired by restaurateur Jeff Crivello, according to filings in U.S. Bankruptcy for the District of New Jersey, where the chain filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in October.

Thad Vogler Launches Waste Vodka Sodas Made From Upcycled Ingredients 

On the precipice of its first national chain retail placement, Waste arrives as the world’s first canned cocktail made from upcycled ingredients.

Upslope Brewing to Join Wilding Brands’ Expanding Colorado Platform

Boulder, Colorado-based Upslope Brewing is the latest brand to join fast-growing brewery platform Wilding Brands, the companies announced today.

Hemp Ban Goes Through: What’s Next for THC Drinks?

Even for an industry born out of risk and uncertainty, hemp beverages are now officially in uncharted waters. As part of the funding bill to reopen the government signed into law last night by President Donald Trump, hemp-derived products will be required to contain less than 0.4 mg THC per container, as of November 13, 2026. Swept away like a storm in the night, the multi-billion-dollar, hemp-derived THC industry is waking up this morning to the stark reality that, barring the creation of a legal federal framework, they will be virtually extinct within a year.

Brewbound Podcast: Mark Anthony President David Barnett on White Claw’s Consistency

In this episode of the Brewbound Podcast, Mark Anthony Brands president David Barnett details how the bev-alc company is “doing better than most” in today’s challenged marketplace. He spoke about the company’s highlights with Brewbound editor Justin Kendall, in a conversation recorded at the National Beer Wholesalers Association’s (NBWA’s) Annual Convention in Las Vegas.

Hemp Roundup: Industry Members React to Advancing Hemp Ban

The Senate advanced a spending package Monday that includes language that would effectively ban all hemp products. The package now moves to the House, which could pass it through to President Trump as early as today. Industry members for and against the ban have been vocalizing their stance online and in D.C. Below are some of the latest updates.

Diageo Beer Co. President Laura Merritt on Guinness’ ‘Wildly Diverse’ Drinker Base and Smirnoff Ice as the Flavor ‘OG’

The top growth beer brand in the on- and off-premise right now isn’t an innovation product designed by an R&D team that religiously studies consumer trends. It’s a non-Mexican import that was founded in the 18th century: Diageo-owned Guinness.

BevNET CPG Media Launches Nombase Education, An Expert-Led Learning Platform for CPG Founders & Operators

BevNET CPG Media is excited to announce the launch of Nombase Education, a new Insider-exclusive learning platform designed to provide founders and operators across the food, beverage, and beer industries with on-demand, expert-led education.

Beer Institute Chief Economist: Industry Volume -5.4% YTD; Losses ‘Not a Beer-Only Story’

Beer industry members’ shoulders are heavy these days, weighed down by continued declines, rising costs and piling-on headwinds. But when you zoom out to see greater consumer trends, you discover the battle isn’t unique to beer, and the category is poised to have some of the greatest opportunities for growth, Beer Institute (BI) chief economist Andrew Heritage shared last week during the trade group’s Annual Membership Meeting in Washington, D.C.

Rob Tod on Craft’s Headwinds: ‘We’ve Been Here Before;’ Allagash Focused on On- & Own-Premise, Sports Partnerships

Allagash Brewing founder Rob Tod admits that craft beer is in a rocky period, but tackling headwinds is something he’s done before, he shared Monday during a virtual press briefing hosted by Portland, Maine-based craft brewery.

Brown-Forman Expands Mexico’s Top RTD, New Mix, in the US

New Mix, an El Jimador Tequila-based cocktail launched in 1997, has been testing retail shelves across U.S. markets this year, with a wider rollout announced today.

After 30 Years, Allagash is Still Riding Momentum, Driven by Allagash White & House Series; Lager, Kolsch & Cider to Drop in 2026

Thirty years after Allagash Brewing’s founding, the Portland, Maine-based craft brewery’s flagship beer Allagash White remains the primary driver of its overall volume and growth, leadership shared Monday in a press briefing.

Senate Advances Hemp Ban Amid Growing Prohibition Fears

A last-ditch effort to remove language prohibiting virtually all THC beverages failed in Congress, placing the intoxicating hemp industry’s fate in the House’s hands.

Boulevard Brings Back Nitro Dry Stout; Brewery Ommegang to Add Imperial Stout for NY in 2026

Stouts will be a big part of Duvel USA’s strategy for both Boulevard Brewing and Brewery Ommegang in 2026 and into the future.

Circana Weekly Scans: Halloween Delivers Treats for Spirits and RTDs, Tricks for Beer and Wine

Halloween is officially logged in bev-alc scan data and there’s no reason to be afraid, Circana EVP of BevAl Scott Scanlon wrote. During the week ending November 2, total beverage-alcohol dollar sales declined 2.3% year-over-year (YoY), but increased 4% week-over-week (WoW).

State of Craft M&A: ‘Cashless’ Deals, ‘Bespoke’ Arrangements

Craft brewery owners dreaming of selling their businesses in multi-million dollar deals are doing just that – dreaming, industry leaders said last week during a panel discussion about exiting the business at the Mass Brewers Guild annual conference.