Brewbound Industry News

Texas Gov. Vetoes Hemp Ban, Backs Special Session for ‘Legally Sustainable’ Regulations

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has vetoed a bill that would have banned intoxicating hemp products in the state, sending the hotly debated issue back to the Legislature through a special session tasked with producing "strict, fair and legally sustainable” regulations.

Goldman Sachs: Beer Distributors Love Alani Nu, But Could They Soon Lose It?

Beer distributors are continuing to prioritize Alani Nu, even as many fret over the risk of losing the brand after its acquisition by Celsius earlier this year.

🍻 Insider’s Week in Beer: BAPPLE Spring Brings SubLIME Summer

Man, you know it’s bad when beer consumption is down in Belgium of all places. Data indicates the 2024 number was -2.1%, following a 2023 where it was -6%. Guessing that imported STELLA from Newark, NJ just isn’t moving as many units as one would hope … but maybe they should send over a few cases of BUSCH LIGHT’s newest foray into flavortown along with it – move over #BLAPPLE – it’s #BLIMEtime!

Kroger: Closing 60 Stores Under ‘Core Business Focus’

While 30 major store improvement projects are slated to be completed in 2025, 60 “underperforming” Kroger stores will be closed over the next 18 months.

Bernstein: Constellation Brands’ Challenges and Solutions ‘Lie in the Oval Office’

The reasons behind Modelo Especial’s negative trends may have more layers than just the Trump administration’s immigration raids and arrests, the Societe Generale Group at financial services firm Bernstein explored in a recent report.

A Round With: Scott Ramsey on How Cider Showcases New York’s ‘Agricultural Strength, Rural Economies and Regional Pride’

In the latest edition of A Round With, a Brewbound Insider-exclusive Q&A series, we caught up with New York Cider Association executiveScott to discuss the New York cider industry’s recent milestones, and what he’s setting his sights on next.

Press Clips: RahrBSG Increases Prices on Some Products Due to Tariffs, Holds Price on Others; Port City’s Bill Butcher on Pricing; Silver City Brewing Sells to Ackley Brands

RahrBSG has increased prices on select products due to tariffs, the ingredients purveyor announced yesterday in a tariff-related FAQ.

FIFCO USA Appoints Gustavo Cornejo as CEO

FIFCO USA has named Gustavo Cornejo its new CEO, effective immediately. Cornejo succeeds Piotr Jurjewicz, who had led the company’s U.S. operations since 2022.

Pernod Ricard To Restructure Amid Sales Declines

As major spirits groups struggle with slow sales, Pernod Ricard is next to cut jobs.

Hand Family’s Sunset Strikes Again, Acquires Scout’s LA Business

Hand Family Companies’ (HFC) Sunset Distribution subsidiary is adding another piece to its growing craft footprint in California with the acquisition of Scout Distribution in Los Angeles.

From Malt to Partner Brands – Growing with Supply Chain Allies with Destihl, Briess and U.S. Beverage

How can you get the most out of your supply chain relationships? Communication is key, and not just when the headwinds hit. Destihl's Matt Potts and Briess' Ron Schroder share how they’re navigating supply challenges. Plus, U.S. Beverage VP of brand development Kris Sjolander explains the importer and platform’s sales and marketing partnership program.

LALO Tequila Shifts Distribution to Reyes Beverage Group

Another major spirits supplier is shifting its California distribution to Reyes Beverage Group following the planned exit of Republic National Distributing Company from the Golden State later this year.

Liquid Death, WhistlePig Collab on Casket-Aged Whiskey

WhistlePig Whiskey and Liquid Death, two beverage disruptors known for their viral marketing stunts and unusual collaborations, have teamed up to kill typical summer drinking trends.

Mark Anthony Brands Phasing Out Most Glass Packages for Mike’s; Cayman Jack Becoming ‘Sizable, Meaningful’

Mark Anthony Brands is in the early stages of transitioning Mike’s Hard 6-pack bottles to cans.

Benchmark Invests in Blake’s Beverage Co.; National Sales and Distribution Partnership Rolling Out

Michigan-based beverage-alcohol platform Benchmark Beverages has taken a minority investment in Blake’s Beverage Co. and the two companies have launched a commercial partnership. Benchmark (Dark Horse, Roak, Brew Detroit, Great America) and Blake’s Beverage Co. (Blake’s Hard Cider, Austin Eastciders, Avid Cider) aim to “accelerate growth and shake up the beyond-beer category with fresh innovation and national scale,” according to a press release.

BrewDog Closes Cincinnati Outpost

BrewDog has shuttered its Cincinnati, Ohio-based bar nearly six years after the outpost opened, the company confirmed on Monday. The company cited increased operating expenses and declining on-premise traffic among the reasons for the closure, which was effective immediately.

Press Clips: Teamsters Strike At Breakthru Grows; Intuition Ale Works For Sale; Voodoo Ranger-Malört Roulette IPA

Teamsters' strike at Breakthru spreads to six more states; Voodoo Ranger and Malört collab on Roulette IPA release; Intuition Ale Works available for turnkey sale; G4 Kegs pauses imports; consumer spending dips in May; and Constellation data shows Hispanic consumers' pullback from dining out.

Circana Weekly Scans: ‘Disappointing’ Sales Continue, Some Brands Breaking Out

“Weakness continues” in beverage-alcohol off-premise trends, according to the latest weekly report from market research firm Circana. Total bev-alc scan data continued to decline in dollars (-3.3%) and volume (-4.8%) for the one-week period ending June 8.

Moor’s Brewing Wins Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream Experienceship

Moor’s Brewing has been named the winner of the 14th Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream (BTAD) Brewing and Business Experienceship, the company announced.

White Claw’s 4-Pronged Future Focus; Zero Proof Rebrand, ClawTails Launch, Core Nostalgia

Mark Anthony Brands (MAB) is rolling into summer with a focused plan behind White Claw, which boasts an even more dominant position in the hard seltzer segment. Now in its ninth year, White Claw now holds around 70% share of hard seltzer dollar sales, and a 50% share of “total beverage-alcohol seltzer,” which is primarily White Claw and Gallo’s High Noon, MAB president David Barnett said.