Brewbound Industry News

INSIDER’S Week in Beer: 🇮🇪 Getting in the St. Paddy’s Spirit in … Reno?

Well, with the president jacking the tariffs on Canadian aluminum – what better way to kick off the St. Patrick’s Day weekend newsletter than with a pint of GUINNESS in a nice #DraftClean 20 oz. glass! Besides, it’s probably best to get that pint in now before any 200% EU alcohol taxes start making that pint $14.

PepsiCo to Acquire Poppi in $1.95B Deal

PepsiCo announced this morning it has entered a definitive agreement to acquire Poppi for $1.95 billion, officially bringing the CSD giant into the next gen functional soda set.

JuneShine and Willie Nelson’s Social Tonic Duet: Willie’s Remedy+

Adult beverage consumers can now party like Willie Nelson. The country music star and his wellness enterprise partner Long Play, Inc. have partnered with California-based bev-alc maker JuneShine Brands to launch Willie’s Remedy+, a non-alcoholic (NA), intoxicating hemp-based “social tonic.”

Hemp Industry Responds To California ‘Readopting’ Emergency Ban

Dealing with droughts is part of life in California, but an extension to the state’s self-imposed ban on hemp-derived THC drinks looks set to further stress an already reeling industry. Prior to their scheduled expiration this month, California’s Department of Public Health extended a six-month ban on “intoxicating hemp products” imposed in September for another three months. Now set to expire on June 24, the emergency measure can be readopted only one more time, according to California law.

A Round With … Hot Plate Brewing’s Sarah Real

Officially in its second year, Hot Plate Brewing in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, has some star power behind one of its next releases. Effervescent lemongrass saison shares its name with comedian Patton Oswalt’s standup special, performed at a nearby theater later this month.

New Brewpub Ownership Adds Mass Domestics to Rock Bottom, Gordon Biersch Menus

One of the latest signs that craft beer has entered a new era: Patrons of storied brewpub chains Gordon Biersch and Rock Bottom can now order domestic lagers produced by the world’s largest breweries.

Numerator: One-Third of Consumers Plan to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day; Following Similar Patterns to 2024

One-third of U.S. consumers plan to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year, according to the 2025 Annual Holiday Preview report from consumer research firm Numerator.

Brewbound Podcast: A St. Patrick’s Day Primer with Guinness

Guinness is synonymous with U.S. St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. National ambassador Ryan Wagner joins the Brewbound Podcast to discuss preparation for the holiday, how the Splitting the G viral phenomenon has played a role in the brand’s upward trajectory and introduces it to new consumers.

Diageo Accelerator Distill Ventures To Cease Investments

Diageo will cease bringing new brands into its Distill Ventures accelerator program for startup drink entrepreneurs, a Diageo spokesperson confirmed Wednesday.

CPI: Beer and Alcohol Away From Home Outpaces Overall Inflation in February

It cost more to go out for a drink last month than it did a year ago, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) February 2025 Consumer Price Index (CPI) report. The CPI for total beverage-alcohol away from home increased +3.4% last month compared to February 2024.

American Whiskey Slapped With EU Tariffs; Second Wave Threatens Broader Beverage Exports

American whiskey producers are once again swept up in a trade dispute that has unfurled pricey tariffs on their exports to Europe.

Sovos/Brewers Association Survey: 83% of Craft Drinkers Want Expanded Direct-to-Consumer Shipping

A majority of U.S. consumers support expanding direct-to-consumer shipping of beer, according to the fifth annual Direct-to-Consumer Beer Shipping Report, a Harris Poll survey commissioned by Sovos ShipCompliant and the Brewers Association.

SipMargs Lands $3M, Influencer Alix Earle For Revamp

SipMARGS, a ready-to-drink (RTD) sparkling margarita brand has revamped its liquid and landed $3 million from new investors, including powerhouse social media influencer Alix Earle.

Constellation’s New Corona Campaign Captures ‘Mexican Beach Mindset;’ Pacifico Claims ‘No. 1 Share of Voice’ in Social Media

Constellation Brands has “evolved” the playbook for its portfolio of Mexican import brands for 2025 and beyond, leadership shared last week during the company’s annual Gold Network Summit in Orlando.

Trump Threatens to Double Tariffs on Canadian Aluminum, Steel

President Donald Trump is now threatening to double tariffs on aluminum and steel imports from Canada, increasing them from 25% to 50%, according to his social media posts. The move is in retaliation for a 25% surcharge placed by Ontario on electricity to the U.S.

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Barrel One and Kraft Heinz Partner on Crystal Light Vodka Refreshers

Crystal Light Vodka Refreshers are rolling out to 10 states this month. A collaboration between Kraft Heinz and Harpoon maker Barrel One Collective, the 3.8% ABV vodka-based seltzer has 77 calories per 12 oz. serving, making it “the lowest-calorie ready-to-drink [RTD] cocktail on the market,” according to a press release.

Craft Dollar Sales -4.2%, Volume -5.4% Through Late February; 11 top 30 Craft Brands in Growth

Dollar sales of craft beer declined -4.2%, to more than $596.2 million, year-to-date (YTD) through February 23 in off-premise retailers tracked by market research firm Circana.

Insider’s Week in Beer: 🔮 Crystal Light Gets Boozy

Ya gotta love when the CPG industry listens to the demands of the people, and finally cuts out the middleman to make all of our lives that much easier and more fulfilling. Yes, Zoe’s darty crowd will no longer have to mix their CRYSTAL LIGHT and vodka themselves, as the KRAFT HEINZ people have indeed read all of your letters (Zoe, please tell Donny to cool it on the postcards), and finally giving us 3.8% ABV Crystal Light Vodka Refreshers!

National Black Brewers Association Names 3 Board Leaders

The National Black Brewers Association (NB2A) has named two additional board members, in addition to board president Jon Renthrope. Funkytown Brewery co-founder and CEO Rich Bloomfield and Vine Street Brewing co-owner and business development manager Annie McGinnis were named to the board as treasurer and secretary, respectively.