Brewbound Podcast

How did craft close out Q1 in scans? In this episode, the Brewbound team convenes to discuss the early read on trends in off-premise retailers with the first three months of 2026 in the books.  The conversation shifts to the latest platform builders, as Oklahoma City's Coop Ale Works and Dallas' Four Corners Brewing have created the Frontier Beverage Collective. Meanwhile, Abita Brewing Company is rechristening itself as the Abita Beverage Group, targeting 170,000 barrels this year, and potential mergers and acquisitions.  Then the focus turns to new BrewDog owner Tilray Brands' Q3 earnings report and future plans with the Scottish craft beer brand in the fold. Justin, Jess and Zoe discuss BrewDog's identity without its "punk" ethos, which now includes a residency in the Hamptons.  The show wraps with a conversation about the "Daycap," following a Business Insider story on bev-alc brands targeting daytime occasions via some creative marketing to younger LDA consumers. Is this really a thing with Gen Z?

In the wake of major shakeups in the middle-tier that will see the largest distributors getting even bigger and major manufacturers adding brands to their portfolios, Fingers newsletter author Dave Infante joins the Brewbound Podcast to recap a wild couple of weeks in the bev-alc industry.   The Brewbound team and Infante cover recent distributor consolidations by the Reyes Beverage Group and Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits and whether this signals a new era of mega distributors. They also discuss the effect these deals could have on small producers, especially brewers who are now competing with a variety of products outside of traditional beer in their wholesalers' books.   The crew also dissect recent brand acquisitions among suppliers, including Firestone Walker's Trumer Pils pick up in the U.S. from Gambrinus and the potential fallout; Constellation Brands' deal for HOPWTR; Molson Coors' addition of Monaco; Pernod Ricard and Brown Forman's flirtation; and Phusion Project's purported interest in selling Four Loko.    The show wraps with a discussion of the upcoming Craft Brewers Conference and why everyone will be vibe-checking attendees later this month.

Brewers Association president and CEO Bart Watson believes the Craft Brewers Conference works best when it's "the big-tent event that everybody is coming to and connecting with."   On the latest edition of the Brewbound Podcast, Watson explained that he views the largest annual gathering of craft brewers (April 20-22 in Philadelphia) in four buckets: Commerce via the BrewExpo trade show, where brewers connect with suppliers and learn about trends; Education, with a host of new voices on the speaker roster this year; Networking, with a more intentional approach and dedicated sessions; And fun.  "CBC should be that week where you do all four of those things," he said. "But you come back recharged, energized with new ideas, new energy."   The BA's membership base is primarily made up of brewpubs and taprooms, making hospitality and customer traffic "the thing that makes or breaks their businesses," he explained.    "Craft is gonna win or lose with people wanting to come into breweries and then having a great experience or not having a great experience," Watson continued.    As such, hospitality will be a key theme of this year's event, and the BA has tapped restaurateur Will Guidara, author of Unreasonable Hospitality, to give the event's opening keynote speech.   "He's like a hospitality business 'Ted Lasso,'" Watson said. "He really brings a spirit and a positivity that is going to be welcomed in craft right now as people try to lean in, do better, grow in what's a challenging time but one where many people are still finding opportunities to thrive."   Watson offered more insights in the interview, including the state of the industry.    Before the interview, Jess and Justin recap a wild week of M&A, including Molson Coors finally nabbing its spirts-based RTD in Monaco/Atomic Brands and a flurry of big distributor consolidations with Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Reyes Beverage Group and Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC).

Maine's craft brewing industry has always punched above its weight despite being among the smallest in population. The state ranked second in breweries (14.3 per 100,000 21+ adults) and economic impact per capita, and third in gallons (9.8) per 21+ adult in 2024, according to Brewers Association data.    That outsized impact along with the state's robust tourism business gives Maine craft brewers a unique perspective on the industry's ebbs and flows.    The latest edition of the Brewbound Podcast features two of those voices – Baxter Brewing president Jenn Lever and Orono Brewing co-owner Abe Furth – in separate conversations recorded during the New England Brew Summit. Both are also Maine Brewers Guild leaders and board members.    Up first, Lever explained what it's like to navigate a business when seven months account for the lion's share of volume.    "We're so proud to represent Maine year-round, but we also recognize the challenges that come when your population quadruples for less than half of the year," she said. "You've gotta be ready to activate and react as quickly as possible to that summer season.    "The people that come to Maine the first time, it's never their last time."   Lever also touched on how Baxter's mix shifts during the busy season, the loss of Canadian tourism amid strained international relations and why blueberry-flavored offerings have become big business for the company.   Then, Furth discussed why guild participation remains important. He also shared why operating in a college town allows him to peer into the future and plan accordingly, and explained the importance of working through innovation plans with the brewery's distributors to find products that fill real whitespace in their portfolios.    Before the interview, Justin and Jess recap Tilray's purchase of BrewDog's U.S. assets and the future of the platform. They also look at some not great shipment numbers to start the year and some not-so-bad scans.

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.   Warner joined the brewery from Atlantic Sea Farms, the largest kelp farming operation in the country. The duo joined the Brewbound Podcast for a conversation recorded at Oxbow's Portland taproom.   Before the interview, the Brewbound team details the latest beer industry news, including Tilray's acquisition of BrewDog's Australian operations. Four Loko's proposed sale and George Clooney and buds' new NA brand, Crazy Mountain.

New York's 42 North Brewing has entered its second decade with a new mindset about what it means to be a craft brewer, founder John Cimperman said on the latest episode of the Brewbound Podcast.    42 North Brewing celebrated its 10th anniversary last September. Business at its taprooms in East Aurora and downtown Buffalo has returned to pre-COVID-19 levels with some changes. Food and events make up a larger portion of revenue, and 42 North has embraced both by enlisting a restaurant partner to manage service and booking standing live music performances.   Before the interview, Zoe and Jess break down Tilray Brands' acquisition of BrewDog's Scotland brewery, global brand and IP and 11 pubs in the U.K. and Ireland, plus the closing of BeatBox's sale to Anheuser-Busch InBev and the new leadership of the Brewers Association's board of directors.

The pack mentality isn't going away anytime soon in craft brewing.    The Oregon Beverage Collective (OBC) – the tie up of Crux Fermentation Project, Cascade Lakes Brewing, Silver Moon Brewing, Goodlife Brewing and Tumalo Cider – launched a couple of weeks ago as one of the latest additions to this crowd.   OBC president Andy Rhine joined the latest edition of the Brewbound Podcast to share how those five brands are looking to build strength in numbers.   Rhine explained that OBC's formation wasn't out of necessity even in a Pacific Northwest market facing challenges through distributor consolidation. Instead, the collective's foundation was built via long-time relationships among brewery owners in Bend. And it was those relationships that led to Rhine acquiring Crux in a separate deal from founders Larry Sidor and Paul Evers.    Even with a portfolio of five brands and efforts to consolidate production, sales and marketing, Rhine said maintaining each brand's "unique identity" will be key to the future of the collective. The conversation also covered Rhine's view of OBC's future and whether more members will be added to its ranks.    Before the interview, Justin and Zoe break down the latest headlines, including the fallout from Dry January, the Brewers Association's 2025 financial results, Tilray's licensing deal with Carlsberg, the Left Hand Collective's newest member and the Supreme Court's ruling on reciprocal tariffs.  

In this Brewbound Podcast Interview, Ray Latif sits down with Paul Benner, U.S. CEO of Pinter, to explore how the company is reinventing the at-home beer experience at a time when traditional home brewing and craft beer growth have slowed. Benner explains how Pinter's all-in-one brewing and tapping system eliminates the biggest barriers to entry — cost, time, space, and inconsistent quality — enabling consumers to make fresh, draft-quality beer at home in just 10–14 days. He also highlights how the brand is tapping into powerful consumer trends around at-home entertaining, DIY hobbies, and direct-to-consumer purchasing. The conversation also dives into Pinter's strategy of positioning itself as an alternative to packaged beer, supported by partnerships with breweries like Guinness, Lagunitas Brewing Company, and Great Lakes Brewing Company. With a subscription-based model, an expanding portfolio of styles, and a growing roster of brand collaborations, Pinter is building a new platform for enjoying beer at home. To learn more or get started, visit Pinter's website and explore how the system works.

As the distribution tier continues to shrink, what must brewers and bev-alc brands do to protect their routes to market? ArentFox Schiff partner Nichole Shustack and senior associate Isabelle Cunningham  joined the Brewbound Podcast to discuss how suppliers can navigate the turbulence that comes with wholesaler consolidation.   Shustack and Cunningham also share updates on the uncertain future of the intoxicating hemp industry, which is slated for prohibition in November 2026.    Before the interview, Justin and Zoe discuss a bevy of beer news, including the formation of the Oregon Beverage Alliance, year-end shipments data from the Beer Institute, BrewDog's looming liquidation, Constellation Brands' incoming CEO and global layoffs at Heineken.    Editor's Note: While the guests featured in this conversation are attorneys, the discussion does not constitute legal advice. Please consult your own legal counsel as needed.

How did a drink that was concocted for the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games find relevance in the U.S. today?    Finnish Long Drink co-founder and CEO Evan Burns explained on the latest edition of the Brewbound Podcast how the gin-based ready-to-drink (RTD) brand has connected with modern consumers through sampling, storytelling and authentic celebrity partnerships.     Burns shared that first-time Long Drink consumers often get "Long Drink Face" – a range of emotions that start with confusion for what the product is, to surprise after they try it, to ultimately delight. That starts a domino effect with the newfound fan turning their friends and spouses on to the product, Burns said. It also opens them up to the story of the cocktail made from gin, grapefruit juice and water more than half a decade ago for Finland's Olympic moment.   During a conversation with Brewbound senior reporter Zoe Licata, Burns emphasized how the Long Drink has stayed true to its citrus roots and isn't a product to be spun off into 30 flavors.    "It's about building brands with soul," he said.   Burns also discussed how a celebrity partnership with actor Miles Teller led to other celebrities organically signing on with the brand, how the Long Drink leverages social media and tips for any CPG brands seeking growth.

In this Brewbound Podcast interview, host Jess Infante sits down with Sarah Bryan, Executive Director of the Maine Brewers Guild, to preview the 10th Annual New England Craft Brew Summit, taking place Friday, March 6 in Portland, Maine. The one-day conference, New England's largest B2B gathering for the craft brewing industry, brings together brewers, brewery owners, suppliers, and industry partners for a jam-packed day of education, collaboration, and connection. Bryan describes the summit as a distinctly New England event: independent, no-nonsense, and intentionally designed to deliver maximum value in a short amount of time for busy operators. Bryan highlights what's new for the milestone year, including an expanded and modernized trade floor, longer educational sessions, and a keynote address from Natalie Cilurzo of Russian River Brewing Company. Anchored by the theme "The Brewer's Compass: Finding Focus, Crafting with Purpose," the program reflects an increasingly mature craft beer landscape, with advanced sessions covering topics like AI in the brewing workplace, modern PR and earned media, supplier innovation, employee wellness, and navigating today's complex market conditions. Beyond the conference floor, the summit also features a full slate of networking events, brewery collaborations, and celebrations throughout Portland, reinforcing the event's reputation as both a business-critical conference and a cornerstone gathering for the New England beer community. For more information and registration details, visit the New England Craft Brew Summit website.

Monday Night Brewing co-founder and CEO Jeff Heck had an Office Space moment a couple of years ago after returning from a three-month sabbatical in the South of France.    "When I came back, I realized the company was generally doing great," he said, adding he had a moment straight from the movie's famous meeting-of-the-Bobs scene and asked himself: "What is it that you say you do here?"   "If you can leave your job for three months and things are generally fine, it's worth asking what would you do here," Heck explained. "I've just never wanted to be the old guy who comes in with a newspaper and puts his feet up on the desk because he's 80 years old and just wants to be at the office. I like working. And I like having something meaningful to do."   That moment spawned the beginning of a succession plan for the CEO role, which transferred to Monday Night co-founder Joel Iverson last month.    On the latest Brewbound Podcast, Heck and Iverson shared that their eventual succession plan was a reflection of Monday Night leaders' overarching cultural philosophy of working to make their jobs irrelevant and identifying the coworkers next in line to take the reins.    "That's true for everyone – from our general managers at each of our six locations to our production team – 'Hey, if someone gets hit by a bus tomorrow, who is it that's ready to step into your role?'" Heck said. "And the answer is not always clear, but if there's not a clear answer, your job is to start working on that.    "The reality is that we've never had a concrete, explicit plan for what transition looked like," he continued. "But the core was how do we make sure we're culturally and missionly aligned across our leadership team so that in the event that Joel, Jonathan and I all went down in a plane crash that there would still be torchbearers for what we want to be as a company and a brewery if we're long gone."   Getting there took Monday Night 12 years, Heck and Iverson shared. In the episode, they discussed how they eventually arrived at a transition plan, the importance of the culture they're built at the brewery and their vision for the future.    Before the interview, Justin, Jess and Zoe discuss the latest bev-alc news, including the re-emergence of hard sodas, the Great American Beer Festival's move outdoors and surprisingly positive scans to open the year.

Minneapolis has dominated national headlines for weeks as area residents protest the Department of Homeland Security's heightened crackdown on Minnesota's large immigrant population. Tensions have intensified as agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have killed two American citizens in shootings that have been recorded by observers.    Local businesses such as Insight Brewing have taken a stand against ICE's occupation of the city. Insight marketing manager Joey Steinbach joins the Brewbound Podcast to discuss how the brewery has stepped up as a community hub by collecting food and other donations to distribute to mutual aid groups, supporting neighbors who participated in last week's general strike and emphasizing its role as a friendly third space.   Before the interview, Zoe and Jess discuss recent news, including takeaways from the Beer, Wine & Spirits Summit and a sneak peek at Budweiser's upcoming Super Bowl commercial.

How can a craft brewer expect to win away games if they're not winning at home? That's the sports analogy pFriem Family Brewers co-founder and CEO Rudy Kellner used to describe the Hood River, Oregon-based brewery's strategy when it comes to expanding its distribution footprint.    This week's Brewbound Podcast highlights a stage conversation from Brewbound Live featuring Kellner and New Trail Brewing (Williamsport, PA) COO and partner Mike LaRosa. Both breweries have secured impressive volume growth within footprints that don't stretch far beyond their neighboring states.    Before the featured conversation, Justin – freshly returned from parental leave – and Jess discuss recent headlines, including the return of Dos Equis' Most Interesting Man in the World, and whether or not nostalgia can bring in new beer drinkers.

After a lengthy delay that included much fretting among industry insiders, the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) were unveiled earlier this month. Any fears that anti-alcohol activists had infiltrated the quinquennial process were eased, as the new guidelines preach moderation over specific daily drink allowances.    Beer Marketer's Insights senior editor Christopher Shepard, who has followed the process closely, joined the Brewbound Podcast to discuss the DGA, the fraught path to publication and what this could mean for brewers.    Before the featured interview, Zoe and Jess discuss recent beer industry headlines, including a proposed deal between the Reyes Beverage Group and Republic National Distributing Company, 2 Towns Ciderhouse's acquisition of Seattle Cider and the somewhat heartening data Circana published in the past month.

A new year means it's Brewbound's annual roundtable conversation with our peers in beer industry journalism.  This year, the Brewbound team is joined by Kate Bernot, lead analyst for Feel Goods Insights, and David Steinman, VP and executive editor of Beer Marketer's Insights. The discussion covers the biggest bev-alc news stories of 2025, including middle-tier consolidation, overall category health and consumer sentiment.

Earlier this year, wine industry veteran Jason McConnell acquired 38-year-old Anderson Valley Brewing Company [AVBC] (Boonville, CA). Now he is focused on maintaining AVBC's cherished traditions, such as its annual fest and its celebrated disc golf course, while adding his own flair.   McConnell chatted with Brewbound editor Justin Kendall during the California Craft Beer Summit in November about AVBC's beer park and several new Japanese-inspired offerings, as well as his observations as a newcomer to craft beer.    "The beer world is a lot more laid back and a lot more fun to promote than the wine world," McConnell said. "It's different, and it's awesome."   Before the interview, senior reporter Zoe Licata and managing editor Jessica Infante discuss Brewbound's most-read news stories of 2025, as well as recent headlines, including Stateside's new Super Lyte and data about consumers' plans for New Year's Eve and Dry January.

Brewbound Live 2025 is in the books! Podcast co-hosts Zoe Licata and Jessica Infante recap this year's conference, as well as news stories that broke during the week.    Then, Karl Strauss Brewing (San Diego, CA) co-founder and CEO Chris Cramer joins Brewbound editor Justin Kendall for this week's featured interview. The conversation was recorded at the California Craft Beer Summit last month in Irvine, CA, hosted by the California Craft Brewers Association.

Pizza Port wants to be a staple of your Southern California grocery run.   "I call it the Southern California grocery basket," Pizza Port director of sales Jill Olesh said on the latest episode of the Brewbound Podcast. "It's your chicken, your tortillas, your black beans, your spinach and your 6-pack of Swami's [IPA]."    Pizza Port is riding a wave of momentum as the 38th-largest craft brewery by volume in 2024, growing 9% to 53,450 barrels of beer. Olesh credited the connection the brewery has forged across generations, as well as the value of the brewery's flagship 16 oz. can 6-pack format, which the company launched in 2013.     "Part of the magic recipe, the lightning in the bottle of Pizza Port, is we've been so many things to so many people throughout their lives and a lot of those people who were coming as kids are now bringing their kids here," she said.    In the conversation, Olesh discussed the pillars of Pizza Port's sales pitch – "consistency, quality, affordability, availability" – as well as the mindset that carried her through the recent SoCal distributor consolidation as Hand Family Companies bought and merged Stone Distributing, Classic Beverage and Scout Distributing into Sunset Distributing earlier this year and why she's optimistic for 2026.    Plus, hear the real-time reactions from the Brewbound team on Anheuser-Busch InBev's $490 million deal for 85% of party punch maker BeatBox, as well as quick recaps on a proposed class-action lawsuit against Boston Beer and how the night before Thanksgiving busted this year.    Justin, Jess and Zoe also share their Spotify Wrapped results, with some surprising – and not-so-surprising – results.

The Lost Abbey's Tomme Arthur's current tagline is "We're surviving, not thriving."   "We'd love to turn that into thriving," he added on the latest episode of the Brewbound Podcast.    "We're trying to get to next year. That's the standard answer," Arthur explained. "Next year will be our 20th year in business. So it's a pretty big milestone in terms of continuity or continuation. So [we're] definitely looking forward. What we're trying to do is really establish the right size and scale for the brewery."   For the Lost Abbey, that's led to a bit of a nomadic lifestyle over the last couple of years, moving from San Marcos to the Mother Earth Brewing facility in Vista and now to the former Eppig Brewing 30-barrel brewery space about a mile across town.    Arthur described those moves as a search for efficiency that hasn't yet fully been realized, reinforcing the business with contract partners with room to add more.    In the interview, Arthur shared his view of The Lost Abbey's business moves in an effort to "grow down," while also hitting on a major challenge facing California brewers coming up on the expiration of their leases as landlords seek market rate increases in rent. Arthur shared his own experience of deciding whether a 30% rent increase was worth accepting at the brewery's best-performing tasting room.    Before the interview, Jess, Zoe and Justin break down Rogue Ales & Spirits' bankruptcy filing and Torch & Crown's SoHo taproom closure. They also share one thing they're looking forward to at Brewbound Live next week.