Brewbound Industry News
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.
Garage Beer Adds Molson Coors, BeatBox Vets to C-Suite
Garage Beer continues to build out its executive team. The independent beer brand, which is backed by Jason and Travis Kelce, has named BeatBox alum Patrick Brang its chief financial officer and longtime Molson Coors veteran Andrew McGuire its chief revenue officer.
CPI: Beer Leads On-Premise Price Increases in February
It continues to get more expensive to go out than to stay home, according to food and beverage metrics in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index for February 2026.
New on Shelves: Sam Adams’ ‘Our City. Our Beer’ Variety Pack, Stateside’s Super Lyte, Blake’s Giddy Up & More
Check out new products initially reported in the Brewbound Insider Newsletter March 9-11, including offerings from Samuel Adams, Blake's Beverage, Stateside and more.
Circana: Beer Growth Cools in February; YTD Dollar Sales +1.6%, Volume Flat
Despite holiday boosts and positive weekly scans, beer trends softened in February compared to January, according to the latest monthly report from market research firm Circana.
As Ohio Intoxicating Hemp Beverage Ban Looms, Lawsuit Seeks to Block Shutdown
Several producers and a distributor filed an emergency lawsuit in Ohio last week in an effort to block Gov. Mike DeWine’s attempt to abruptly shut down the state’s intoxicating hemp beverage industry.
Half Acre, Maplewood Merge to Form Chicago Beverage Platform That Won’t Become ‘a Collection of Brands’
Chicago’s Half Acre Beer Company and Maplewood Brewery & Distillery have merged into what the brands’ leaders are calling “a long-term commitment to Chicago as a great beverage city.”
JuneShine Brands to Outsource All Production, Shut Down Own Facility; 30 Employees Affected
JuneShine Brands is shifting production of all its brands to third-party producers, the San Diego-based company announced today.
George Clooney & Partners Take Aim at NA Beer With Crazy Mountain; Beer Vet Steve Fechheimer Shares Details
George Clooney, Rande Gerber and Mike Meldman’s non-alcoholic (NA) beer brand has been among the beer business’ worst-kept secrets. The Casamigos founders teased getting into beer’s fast-growing space last October. However, whispers about their involvement started long before.