Brewbound Industry News

Trillium Rolls Out First Spirits-Based RTDs

Half a decade after wading into distilling, Massachusetts-based Trillium Brewing is diving into the ready-to-drink (RTD) canned cocktail segment.

The Willie Nelson Effect: Willie’s Remedy+ Becomes JuneShine’s Fastest Growing Launch

California-based JuneShine Brands has spent the last seven years expanding its bev-alc portfolio from only hard kombucha, to now spirits-based canned cocktails, an American light lager and flavored malt beverages (FMBs).

Press Clips: Urban Chestnut Acquires O’Fallon Beer Brands

St. Louis-based Urban Chestnut Brewing Company has acquired the beer brands of O’Fallon Brewery, which ceased operations after 24 years at the end of last year.

Circana Weekly Scans: ‘Pockets of Growth Developing;’ Michelob, Busch, Pacifico, Victoria, Athletic Stay hot

If you’re looking for a bright spot heading into the July 4 holiday weekend, Circana EVP Bev-Al Scott Scanlon has you covered. In the latest weekly off-premise scans recap from the market research firm, Scanlon wrote that we’re “starting to see pockets of growth developing.”

Casamigos Launches RTD Margaritas

The O.G. celebrity tequila has made its way into canned cocktails. George Clooney’s Casamigos announced today the launch of Casamigos Margaritas, its first ever ready-to-drink product.

Middle Tier Market Check: Non-Alcs, Beyond Beer and One Surprising Legacy Brand Heating Up in the Desert

In California’s Coachella Valley, Peter Heimark, president and CEO of Indio-based Heimark Distributing, reported that it was “100 degrees and rising,” and shared that NA beers are taking off in the desert, among other observations.

Circana: Craft Losses Worsen as Summer Starts

Craft beer dollar (-9.4%) and case sales (-10.9%) straddled double-digit declines in the grocery channel for the four-week period (L4W) ending June 15, according to the most recent monthly report from market research firm Circana.

As Bev-Alc Volumes Decline, RTDs and Cider Are Summer Bright Spots

Bev-alc volumes declined in the two-week period ending June 14 except for cider and some ready-to-drink subcategories, according to analysis of NIQ data from Goldman Sachs Equity Research.

Insider’s Week in Beer: 🏀 An NBA Champion’s Party Foul

This week’s beer goes out to Gen Z. Look, I know I’ve been a bit hard on you folks lately … so you certainly deserve a nice cold bottle of beer (you know how those aluminum tariffs are these days). Although, let me know if you need help opening it … as the youngins on the NBA Champion OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER had no issues bouncing the PACERS out of town, but they were subsequently thwarted by the French.

William Grant & Sons Shifts Distribution to Reyes in RNDC Fallout

Reyes Beverage Group has picked up another major spirits supplier in California as Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) winds down operations in the Golden State.

Press Clips: RI’s Trinity Brewhouse Sold; BA Emphasizes ‘Guiding Principles’ for Intoxicating Hemp Beverages

Trinity Brewhouse (Providence, Rhode Island), one of the state’s oldest brewpub, will change hands later this summer. The owners of local restaurant The Patio on Broadway plan to acquire it from founder Josh Miller.

Middle Tier Market Check: Japanese Lagers, NA and Local Craft Momentum in the Pac Northwest

This summer is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable seasons that Columbia Distributing CEO Chris Steffanci has ever experienced.

Numerator: 70% of Consumers Plan to Celebrate July 4; 44% to Purchase Bev-Alc

Independence Day (July 4) celebrations may be slightly more subdued this year compared to 2024, but could lean more positively toward the on-premise, according to survey results from Numerator and CGA.

A Round With: Brooklyn Brewery’s Robin Ottaway on Why ‘Support Isn’t Conditional’

When several companies walked back their support for underrepresented groups and canceled diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, Brooklyn Brewery got even louder in its long-time support of the LGBTQ+ community. In this week’s edition of A Round With, our Q&A with industry leaders exclusively for Brewbound Insiders, Brooklyn president and CEO Robin Ottaway explains why 2025 is “the moment to step up.”

Tip Top Cocktails Names New CEO to Lead ‘Next Phase’

Tip Top Proper Cocktails is shaking up its leadership. The canned cocktail company has named chief sales officer Nick Reely as its new CEO, effective July 1.

Jones Soda Exits THC Drinks, Offloads Mary Jones Brand

Jones Soda is offloading its Mary Jones marijuana beverage brand to privately held cannabis business MJ Reg Disrupters LLC as the drink maker “streamlines operations” and “focuses on core soda offerings.”

Sapporo-Stone Makes Another ‘Very Small-Scale Reduction’ in Workforce

Sapporo-Stone has conducted a “small-scale reduction” in its workforce as the company continues to find the right balance for the combined operations of its Japanese import beer and California craft business.

Total Wine, Whole Foods Dish on Summer Retail Trends

Non-alcoholic beer, Italian imports and fruit-forward offerings are just a few of the summer trends popping in Total Wine & More and Whole Foods Market stores. Total Wine's Adrea Starr and Whole Foods Market's Mary Guiver offered insights into what they’re seeing as summer sets in.

Deep Diving California’s Distribution Shakeup and the RNDC Fallout

With Republic National Distributing (RNDC) winding down distribution operations in California ahead of September 1 exit and consolidation continuing among craft wholesalers, this week’s Brewbound Podcast explores the fallout of both in the Golden State.

Rum, Rhythm & Retail: Casalú Aims to Be The ‘Latino High Noon’

Pitching themselves as the “Latino High Noon” may have gotten Casalú, a rum-based ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktail, into retailers, but that doesn’t paint the whole picture.