Brewbound Industry News

Boston Beer CEO Michael Spillane to Depart This Month; Jim Koch Takes Over As CEO & President

Boston Beer president CEO Michael Spillane is ending his leadership role with the company after just over a year, according to an 8-K filing submitted today (Friday, August 1) to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Hensley Beverage to Acquire Remaining Stake in Scout Distribution in Arizona

Another piece of Scout Distribution has been sold off. Hensley Beverage Company has agreed to acquire the remaining 75% stake in Scout’s Arizona business that it did not already own, after purchasing a minority stake earlier this year.

Uncle Nearest Distillery Faces $100 Million Lawsuit, Lender Seeks Receivership

One of the most prominent voices in spirits is at the center of a new lawsuit with control of a storied Tennessee distillery on the line.

A Round With: American Homebrewers Association Executive Director Julia Herz on Independence, Reviving Homebrew Con

In this week’s edition of A Round With – our Q&A with industry leaders, created exclusively for Brewbound Insiders – AHA executive director Julia Herz chats through the organization’s next chapter (including the return of Homebrew Con), why homebrewing is important for the industry and what’s still exciting her in beer.

Press Clips: Trump’s New ‘Universal’ Tariffs; Wiseacre Acquires Bearded Iris; Rogue Partners with US Beverage

The Trump administration has imposed a “universal” tariff on every country for goods imported into the U.S., with a 10% baseline for those that the U.S. holds a trade surplus – meaning the U.S. exports more than it imports – and 15% for those the U.S. runs a deficit. The latter amounts to around 40 countries, with 26 countries facing tariffs higher than 15% rate.

Beer in a ‘Cautionary Holding Pattern’ as July BPI Improves, But Remains in Contraction

Beer ordering remained in contraction in July, according to the latest Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI) from the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA). Total beer and all but one beer segment were in contraction in July, according to the survey, which asks wholesalers if they are ordering more or less product each month compared to the month before.

A-B Bucks Industry Trends in Q2 Led by Busch Light, Michelob Ultra: US Beer Shipments +0.2%, Depletions -2.1%

Brand extensions of some of Anheuser-Busch InBev’s (A-B) top brands helped the company outpace U.S. beer industry trends in Q2, the company shared Thursday in its quarterly earnings release.

Brewbound Podcast: Berkeley Alley Beer’s New Owners on Being ‘Crazy and Strategic’

After years working at various breweries and hosting their own craft beer podcast, Chelsea Rhoads and Liz Hess finally decided to take the plunge and buy a brewery. The pair, who co-host the Body By Beer podcast, acquired Denver’s Berkeley Alley Beer Company earlier this summer and have put their own spin on the beloved local spot.

Three Weavers’ Parent Co. Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Citing Impact of Tariffs, LA Fires and ICE Raids

Facing declining sales and a list of creditors, the parent company of Inglewood, California-based Three Weavers Brewing has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Tilray Beverage Biz Posts $241M in Revenue for FY25; Company Records $1.4B Non-Cash Impairment

Tilray Brands’ 2025 fiscal year ended with mixed results, as the Canadian cannabis and U.S. craft beer platform generated $821.3 million in net revenue ($833.7 million in constant currency) across its various business units for full-year 2025 (FY25, ending May 31, 2025), marking a 4% increase year-over-year (YoY).

Brewbound Voices: 3 Ways to Optimize a Craft Beer M&A Deal (And 2 Big Mistakes to Avoid)

After years of rapid growth, warnings that the U.S. craft beer industry was approaching oversaturation have become a reality for brewers. Combined with a new generation of young adults less thirsty for alcohol than their forebears and the impacts of new and increased tariffs, craft brewers are seeing a growing wave of mergers, acquisitions and divestments shake out and transform the industry landscape.

Great Southern Copackers Acquires Brew Hub

Lakeland, Florida-based Brew Hub’s next era has been solidified, several months after news broke that contract brewing company’s facility had been foreclosed by its bank. Great Southern Copackers has acquired the company and building, and will rebrand it as Great Southern Beverages.

New Belgium CEO on Bell’s Renewed Great Lakes Focus, New Innovation Strategy, Kirin Distribution Realignment

After reaching nationwide distribution in 2023, Bell’s Brewery has refocused on its core Great Lakes markets. New Belgium CEO Shaun Belongie explained that the Michigan craft brand struggled in far away markets, leading the company to double down at home.

Circana Weekly Scans: Bev-Alc’s Mid-July Declines Dampen

Bev-alc scans improved in the latest week (data ending July 20), with dollar sales increasing 3% week-over-week (WoW) in Circana-tracked off-premise channels, the market research firm shared in its latest report.

Circana Midyear Scans: Craft Dollar Sales -4.7%, Volume -6.3%; Declines Ease in L4W

Craft remained in the red in the last four weeks (L4W, data ending July 13), with dollar sales (-4.7%) and volume, measured in case sales, (-6.3%) in Circana-tracked off-premise channels (multi-outlet plus convenience) both failing to keep up with 2024 comps. However, craft’s declines decelerated compared to the previous L4W (data ending June 15), when dollar sales were down 6.7% and volume declined 8.4%.

Rémy Cointreau Invests in Non-Alc Spirits Brand JNPR

Rémy Cointreau has acquired a minority stake in French non-alc spirits company JNPR, joining other major spirit groups with bids on the growing category.

Provi and RNDC Reach Settlement, Nationwide Service Agreement

E-commerce beverage-alcohol platform Provi and Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) have reached a “mutually satisfactory resolution” of their yearslong legal battle, which has ended with a settlement, the companies announced.

Insider’s Week in Beer: 🏀 March Madness, Booze Savior?

As the heat index crosses the 100-degree mark here on the Jersey Shore … what better topic to get excited about than refreshing 14% ABV barrel aged stouts!

Boston’s Rocky Tea Party: Sun Cruiser On Track to Become ‘Next Iconic Brand;’ Twisted Tea Tackling Price and Display Headwinds

Hard tea continued to fill Boston Beer’s sails in Q2, but it was newbie Sun Cruiser that put in the brunt of the work rather than veteran Twisted Tea, company leadership shared Thursday during a call with investors and analysts.

Press Clips: Real American Beer Co-Founder Hulk Hogan Dead at 71; Karl Strauss to Distribute Brewery X in San Diego

Concessions workers at Boston’s Fenway Park have gone on strike and their union, Unite Here Local 26, is asking spectators not to purchase food or drinks while attending Red Sox games.