abinbev

The Dads are drinking Big Beer? Yup. Listen as they compare a 2017 and 2018 Elysian The Fix, discuss big vs micro and put out a challenge to the Elysian brewers. 

And Dad Wins!

092 Richard Oppy is the VP of Global Brands at Anheuser Busch InBev, the largest consumer goods company in the world with leading beer brands in over 100 countries. He is responsible for the global marketing efforts of some of the world’s most iconic beer brands, including Corona, Stella Artois, Michelob Ultra, and the world’s most valuable beer brand – Budweiser. Under his leadership Budweiser purchased Beer.eth domain, updated the brand’s Twitter PFP to the rocket NFT as well as launched its own NFT drop officially taking fans to the budverse. 

Check out our brand new YouTube Video Podcast! 

• https://www.SmartVenturePod.com
• IG/Twitter/FB @GraceGongGG
• LinkedIn:@GraceGong
• YouTube: https://bit.ly/gracegongyoutube

Join the SVP fam with your host Grace Gong. In each episode, we are going to have conversations with some of the top investors, super star founders, as well as well known tech executives in the silicon valley. We will have a coffee chat with them to learn their ways of thinking and actionable tips on how to build or invest in a successful company.

=======================

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Craft Brew News 07/10/20
(Courtesy of Brewbound.com)

Allagash Founder Rob Tod Recovers From COVID-19

In an interview with a Maine NBC affiliate, Allagash founder Rob Tod revealed that he tested positive for COVID-19 in mid-March after returning from a ski vacation.

Tod told the affiliate that he self-quarantined and “rode it out” at home, not wanting to infect any other Allagashians.

Even with the diagnosis, Tod said he was “so consumed and immersed in running this company at a time when we had lost 70% of our business the day that I came down with the COVID.”

With March and the coronavirus, practically overnight people stopped going to bars and restaurants, where most of Allagash’s sales occurred. In less than a month sales tanked by seventy percent.

Since losing 70% of its business, Allagash has since refocused on building its off-premise business. The company in June shared plans to launch several years’ worth of innovations in the fall, including a line of sparkling session ales made with fruit called Little Grove by Allagash, a new stout called North Sky and 6-pack bottles of flagship Allagash White.

California Governor Orders Shutdown of Breweries and Restaurants in 19 Counties

With a growing number of new COVID-19 cases in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom has expanded the state’s temporary shutdown of bars and breweries to include a ban on indoor and outdoor dining and drinking in 19 counties, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. However, restaurants will be allowed to continue operating outdoor patio spaces, as well as breweries that operate licensed food service or partner with neighboring restaurants or food trucks.

Counties included in the order include Los Angeles, Orange, Sacramento, Santa Barbara, and Ventura. Majority of counties account for nearly 75% of the state’s population. All 19 are on the state Department of Public Health’s “monitoring list” for areas with an increasing number of novel coronavirus cases and hospitalizations.

Dichello Distributors Files Lawsuit Against Anheuser-Busch Alleging Conspiracy to Force Sale

An Anheuser-Busch wholesaler in Connecticut is suing the world’s largest beer manufacturer alleging that the maker of Bud Light conspired with a now former employee to damage the business and force a sale of the distributorship.

New Haven, Connecticut-based Dichello Distributors is suing Anheuser-Busch, claiming A-B “engaged in an ongoing conspiracy” with Sal DiBetta, a former employee who later worked as CEO of the wholesaler between 2013 and 2016, as well as “other unnamed parties,” to “undermine” Dichello and force president John Hall’s family to sell the business to A-B, according to a complaint filed on June 17 in the Connecticut Superior Court.

Dichello also alleges A-B has tried to enforce an equity agreement on the wholesaler and threatened them “with consequences for non-compliance, including forced sale of the distributorship.”

A-B has not responded to a request for comment.

DiBetta worked for A-B for more than 30 years before joining Dichello in October 2013 and departing in 2016, according to his Linkedin profile.

Anheuser-Busch to Pay Record $5 Million Offer In Compromise for Trade Practice Violations Tied to
Sports and Entertainment Sponsorships

Anheuser-Busch InBev has agreed to pay a record $5 million offer in compromise (OIC) for alleged trade practice violations related to sports and entertainment sponsorships, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) announced today.

Additionally, A-B’s importer and wholesaler permits were suspended for two days in Littleton, Colorado, and four days in Denver.

The $5 million fine is the largest offer in compromise collected to date by the TTB, Thomas Hogue, a spokesperson for the federal agency, confirmed with Brewbound. A-B’s offer tops a $2.5 million fine collected last year from Heineken USA for alleged trade practice violations.

According to the TTB, the alleged violations included:

“Entering into sponsorship agreements with various entities in the sports and entertainment industries requiring concessionaires and other retailers to purchase A-B’s malt beverages and prohibiting them from purchasing specific competitor brands;

Inducing sports industry concessionaires to purchase A-B’s malt beverages by furnishing fixtures, equipment, and services;

Reimbursing, through credit card swipes, retailers for the cost of installing malt beverage draft dispensing systems, thereby inducing them to purchase A-B’s malt beverages;

Requiring retailers to purchase A-B’s malt beverages in return for such retailers’ use of equipment A-B furnished them free of charge or below market value;

Craft Beer Storm Website: www.craftbeerstorm.com

*** A Top 20 Podcast in Food on iTunes ***

Subscribe to Craft Beer Storm Podcast iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/craft-beer-storm/id1438117278?mt=2

Michael Beara is the Host of Craft Beer Storm and Founder/Brewer at Beara Brewing Co. in Portsmouth, NH

*** Interested in starting your own brewery? Our Portsmouth, NH TURNKEY facility is for sale! Follow link for more info:

https://www.neren.com/Listing/2800-Lafayette-Rd-12A/5cdda2dabf34cb9150a7faeb

If your Company, Hotel or Restaurant wants to book a CraftBeer Weekend or Craft Beer Evening for your guests or employees send an email to Michael@craftbeerstorm.com


Michael Beara
Founder/Brewer
Host of "Craft Beer Storm" Podcast
michael@craftbeerstorm.com
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craft-beer-storm-podcast-30776075/

**LISTEN to our Craft Beer Storm Podcast and share with a friend**

Craft Beer Storm Podcast iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/craft-beer-storm/id1438117278

Craft Beer Storm You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp3PVuCGmywNWlGFh0N0ukg?view_as=subscriber

Craft Beer Storm Podcast Stitcher:
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/podcast-center-la-2/craft-beer-storm

Craft Beer Storm Linked In:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/craft-beer-storm-podcast-30776075/

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Craft Brew News
05/08/20

(Courtesy of brewbound.com)

Maine Brewpub Owner Defies Executive Order, Loses Licenses

Even as a mini-revolution, the Sunday River Brewing uprising didn’t last long.

As states grapple with reopening for business in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, one Maine brewpub owner opted to defy the reopening plan Gov. Janet Mills laid out last week that orders restaurants to remain shut for on-premise dining until June.

Rick Savage, owner of Sunday River Brewing in Bethel, Maine, opened his brewpub at around noon on Friday, May 1, drawing a large crowd and defying Mills’ March 18 executive order banning gatherings of more than 10 people. About four hours later, he told reporters that state government representatives had come to the brewpub to revoke his health and liquor licenses.

Savage said to a group of reporters outside the brewpub on Friday. “I think it’s ridiculous,” “I think
it’s totally ridiculous. If they want to deal with people, deal with us in a manner that’s civil.”
“If you don’t like it, take me to court,” Savage said.

But, before 8 p.m. on May 1, Sunday River Brewing had posted to Facebook that the brewpub “will be closed until further notice.” The next day, Savage appeared at a rally protesting Mills’ reopening plan. Sunday River Brewing linked to a GoFundMe fundraiser on Facebook called the “Maine Back to Work Fund,” which has raised nearly $95,000 as of presstime.

Federal Judge Sides with Anheuser-Busch InBev in Corn Syrup Ad Lawsuit

More than a year after it began, a federal circuit judge ruled that Anheuser-Busch InBev is free to continue its advertising campaign calling out the use of corn syrup in Molson Coors Beverage Company’s flagship light lagers.

Molson Coors, then named MillerCoors, filed a deceptive advertising lawsuit against the world’s largest beer manufacturer after it ran a commercial during the 2019 Super Bowl pointing out the use of corn syrup during the brewing process of Miller Lite and Coors Light, which Bud Light does not use.

At the heart of its decision is that Miller Lite and Coors Light both list “corn syrup (dextrose)” among their ingredients.

Earlier in 2019, a different judge granted Molson Coors an injunction that blocked A-B from displaying some billboards and television ads.

A-B said it is “pleased” with the decision.

Pyramid Brewing Closes Seattle Taproom After Over 30 Years

After more than 30 years in business, Pyramid Brewing Co. parent company FIFCO USA announced last week that it will permanently close Pyramid Alehouse in Seattle, Washington. The company notified staff Thursday, April 30, offering severance pay to help with their transition.

The state’s bar and restaurant closures due to COVID-19 have led to business decline, “creating insurmountable business challenges for the Alehouse to continue to operate,” according to a press release. Located in Seattle’s SoDo neighborhood, Pyramid Alehouse relied on sporting and entertainment events to bring customers to the neighborhood and support its business during “non-peak” times, according to Rich Andrews, CEO of FIFCO USA. The taproom is located across the street from the Seattle Mariners’ Safeco Field and a block from the Seattle Seahawks’ CenturyLink Field.

Pyramid beer will still be available for purchase at its retail accounts throughout the Pacific Northwest, and its beers will be brewed in Oregon’s Portland Brewery.


On-Premise Shutdowns Could Cost Beer Industry $8 Billion

The near-nationwide shutdown of the on-premise channel will result in a loss of $8 billion for the beer industry if it continues into June, National Beer Wholesalers Association chief economist Lester Jones said during a State of the Industry webinar hosted by the NBWA and the Beer Institute (BI) last week.

Jones said “We really need to step up our conversations and talk about how the loss here to the industry is significant,”. “It’s not going to be made up through grocery stores and 30-packs and cases people are stashing in their garages. It will not be compensated by those additional off-premise purchases. And, of course, the longer the shutdown, the greater the loss.”

On-premise sales account for 9% of the industry’s $328 billion annual economic impact, which translates to $3.1 billion per month. If a quarter of the on-premise channel reopens in May and half reopens in June, the beer industry stands to lose $8 billion.

As states begin laying out plans for the reopening of their economies, the beer industry will need to consider the health of geographic markets when deciding how to return to the shuttered on-premise channel, Jones said.

Craft Beer Storm Website: www.craftbeerstorm.com

*** A Top 20 Podcast in Food on iTunes ***

Subscribe to Craft Beer Storm Podcast iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/craft-beer-storm/id1438117278?mt=2

Michael Beara is the Host of Craft Beer Storm and Founder/Brewer at Beara Brewing Co. in Portsmouth, NH

*** Interested in starting your own brewery? Our Portsmouth, NH TURNKEY facility is for sale! Follow link for more info:

https://www.neren.com/Listing/2800-Lafayette-Rd-12A/5cdda2dabf34cb9150a7faeb

If your Company, Hotel or Restaurant wants to book a CraftBeer Weekend or Craft Beer Evening for your guests or employees send an email to Michael@craftbeerstorm.com


Michael Potorti
Founder/Brewer
Host of "Craft Beer Storm" Podcast
michael@craftbeerstorm.com
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craft-beer-storm-podcast-30776075/

**LISTEN to our Craft Beer Storm Podcast and share with a friend**

Craft Beer Storm Podcast iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/craft-beer-storm/id1438117278

Craft Beer Storm You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp3PVuCGmywNWlGFh0N0ukg?view_as=subscriber

Craft Beer Storm Podcast Stitcher:
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/podcast-center-la-2/craft-beer-storm

Craft Beer Storm Linked In:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/craft-beer-storm-podcast-30776075/

Craft Beer Storm Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/craftbeerstorm/

Craft Beer Storm Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/craftbeerstorm/

❤️ La chaîne solidaire du Pod'capsuleur 

Olivier Puech, directeur juridique et relations publiques d’AB In Bev en France 

Face à la crise du Covid-19, l’industriel Ab In Bev a lancé plusieurs initiatives solidaires en Europe, dont une qui concerne directement les cafés et restaurants français : la plateforme barsolidaire.fr.

🔗 Bar solidaire

🔗 J'aime mon bistrot

🔗 Sauve ton commerce

🔗 Courses contre la montre

🔗 La fine mousse

➡️ Pendant le confinement, le Pod'capsuleur met en avant les initiatives de solidarité face à la crise sanitaire. Cette chaîne solidaire se veut un lieu d’expression où les gens du monde de la bière peuvent donner de leurs nouvelles, partager leurs initiatives, leurs inquiétudes, leurs espoirs…, pour ensemble, surmonter la crise.

➡️ Participez  ! podcast[@]3xlmedias.com ou en contactant le Pod'capsuleur via les réseaux sociaux

Quando os banqueiros Jorge Paulo Lemann, Marcel Telles e Carlos Alberto Sicupira compraram a Brahma, em 1989, ninguém tinha noção do quão grande era o tal do "sonho grande" do qual o trio tanto falava. Em 1999 a Brahma fez uma fusão com a Antarctica, criando a Ambev. Anos depois, em 2004, seria a vez da fusão com a belga Interbrew. A aquisição da americana Anheuser-Busch, dona da Budweiser, viria em 2008 e em 2015 foi a vez de comprar a anglo-sul-africana SABMiller. Esse episódio analisa a cultura e as características dos líderes que levaram a Ambev e, posteriormente, a AB Inbev ao topo do capitalismo.
Entrevistada: Ariane Abdallah, autora do livro "De um gole só"
Instagram: @dozeroaotopo_oficial

Craft Brew News 11/8/19

Federal Judge: MillerCoors Withheld Marketing Materials in Stone Brewing Lawsuit

A federal magistrate judge last Thursday filed a report and recommendation order largely siding with Stone Brewing’s claims that MillerCoors did not provide all available marketing materials for its Keystone brand during the lawsuit’s discovery phase.

Although U.S. Magistrate Judge Linda Lopez declined to impose sanctions requested by Stone against MillerCoors, she did grant a partial award of monetary sanctions to the San Diego-headquartered craft brewery.

Stone Brewing filed the lawsuit against MillerCoors in February 2018 in response to new Keystone Light packaging and advertising that featured the words “Key” and “Stone” separated in prominent, capitalized letters. MillerCoors has maintained in its defense that it has used “Stone” and “Stones” in reference to Keystone products dating back to the brand’s debut in 1989.

In light of this finding, Lopez recommended that Stone receive a partial payout of its $420,476.63 in legal fees, and Stone be allowed to update its expert reports to include the additional evidence.

Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act Reaches Record 315 Co-Sponsors

A bill to extend federal excise tax (FET) relief has garnered a record number of co-sponsors following a day of action coordinated by the Beer Institute (BI), Brewers Association (BA) and other alcoholic beverage trade groups.

The Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (CBMTRA) reached 315 co-sponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives and 73 in the U.S. Senate;

In addition to the BA and BI, the bill’s other supporters include the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, American Craft Spirits Association, Wine Institute, Wine America, the U.S. Association of Cider Makers and the American Mead Makers Association.

BA president and CEO Bob Pease said in the release “The widespread bipartisan support the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act has received to date is amazing and America’s craft beer industry is grateful to our many champions in Congress,”. “This legislation has played an integral role in providing financial certainty to more than 7,700 small and independent brewers coast to coast since its enaction in 2017.”

Brewers who produce fewer than two million barrels annually pay $3.50 per barrel for their first 60,000 barrels and $7 per barrel after that.

Of the bill’s 315 co-sponsors, 159 are Democrats and 156 are Republicans, nearly a 50/50 split between the parties. These 315 co-sponsors make up 72% of the House’s 435 members.

Russian River Brews Sonoma Pride to Support Firefighters

Russian River is brewing a Sonoma Pride IPL after a wildfire forced the evacuation of the popular Windsor, California, craft brewery last week.

Russian River co-founder Natalie Cilurzo told Brewbound that Sonoma Pride will be available next month at both the Windsor and Santa Rosa breweries and proceeds will support a yet-to-be-determined charity that supports firefighters. The beer will be on draft and in bottles with commemorative labels, which will also adorn T-shirts.

The Kincade Fire started on October 23 near Geyserville, about 15 miles from Russian River’s Windsor location.

Russian River was closed after the towns of Windsor and Healdsburg were evacuated on October 26. The brewery was closed for eight days while evacuation orders were in place, and gas to the property was shut off. The brewery finally reopened on October 31, although staff was unable to brew or operate its kitchen until gas was restored.

The Kincade Fire was 80% contained as of Monday, after burning nearly 78,000 acres and claiming 374 buildings, according to NPR.

In a video on Facebook, Russian River co-founder Vinnie Cilurzo announced that he and his team brewed a new version of Sonoma Pride.
In 2017, the Cilurzos worked with 50 other breweries to raise more than $1.1 million for wildfire relief efforts in Sonoma and Napa counties.

(Allo Gilinsky The Craft Beer Concierge – Russian River Tour Guide)

Four Loko’s 12% ABV Hard Seltzer Hits Retailers; Anheuser-Busch to Launch Bud Light Seltzer in Q1


Phusion Projects officially rolled out its first Four Loko branded hard seltzer to retailers today, after going viral on social media over the summer.

Four Loko Hard Seltzer’s first flavor, black cherry, checks in at 12% alcohol by volume (ABV) and is sold in 23.5 oz. single-serve cans. More flavors will launch next spring, a spokeswoman said. Phusion Projects touted the product as “the hardest hard seltzer in the universe,” according to the company’s website and the caption of the Instagram post announcing its debut.

On the other end of the spectrum, Craft Brew Alliance’s pH Experiment launched Pacer, a 2% ABV hard seltzer, over the summer.

The hard seltzer category has generated $1.2 billion in sales year-to-date through October 5, according to market research firm Nielsen. The category crossed the $1 billion threshold in August. Hard seltzer sales could be triple that size over the next three years, according to a report from Rabobank beverage analyst Jim Watson.

A-B announced today that Bud Light Seltzer will launch in the first quarter of 2020 in four flavors: Black Cherry, Lemon Lime, Strawberry and Mango. Each flavor checks in at 5% ABV and contains 100 calories, 2 grams of carbs and fewer than 1 gram of sugar. The product was teased during the world’s largest beer manufacturer’s third-quarter earnings call on October 25.

Bud Light Seltzer will come in variety 12-packs, single flavor 12-packs and 25 oz. single-serve cans.

Craft Beer Storm Website: www.craftbeerstorm.com


If your Company, Hotel or Restaurant wants to book a CraftBeer Weekend or Craft Beer Evening for your guests or employees send an email to Michael@craftbeerstorm.com



Subscribe to Craft Beer Storm Podcast iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/craft-beer-storm/id1438117278?mt=2


Support ACS In NYC Marathon
I signed up for the NYC Marathon through the American Cancer Society and I am aiming to raise $32,000 ($3,200 Minimum X 10X) - please follow link below to donate what you can - $25, $50, $30K! - Onward... - Here is link –
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=94035&pg=personal&px=49477898&fbclid=IwAR2mBEvhF1wMA_BbHPhkavichNSFrE9Y9gi2RVZzfQ_4Da5Sht7gvH9rY_k

*** A Top 20 Podcast in Food on iTunes ***

Michael Potorti is the Host of Craft Beer Storm and Founder/Brewer at Beara Brewing Co. in Portsmouth, NH

*** Interested in starting your own brewery? Our Portsmouth, NH TURNKEY facility is for sale! Follow link for more info:

https://www.neren.com/Listing/2800-Lafayette-Rd-12A/5cdda2dabf34cb9150a7faeb


Michael Potorti
Founder/Brewer
Host of "Craft Beer Storm" Podcast
michael@craftbeerstorm.com
michael@bearairishbrew.com

*** Come visit our brewery for some delicious local craft brew! ***

Beara Brewing Co.
2800 Lafayette Road
Portsmouth, NH 03801
Tel. (857) 342-3272

www.bearairishbrew.com

Like us on

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bearairishbrew/?hl=en


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BearaIrishBrewingCo

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BearaIrishBrew

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beara-brewing-co-30776075/

**LISTEN to our Craft Beer Storm Podcast and share with a friend**

Craft Beer Storm Podcast iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/craft-beer-storm/id1438117278

Craft Beer Storm You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp3PVuCGmywNWlGFh0N0ukg?view_as=subscriber

Craft Beer Storm Podcast Stitcher:
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/podcast-center-la-2/craft-beer-storm

Craft Beer Storm Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/craftbeerstorm/

Craft Beer Storm Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/michaelpotorti/

Craft Brew News 10/4/19
(courtesy of BrewBound www.brewbound.com)

Brewers Association: US Craft Brewing Industry Contributes $79 Billion to US Economy

Small and independent U.S craft brewers generated $79.1 billion in economic impact in 2018, which represented roughly 0.4 percent of the gross domestic product, according to industry trade group the Brewers Association’s (BA) 2018 Economic Impact Report.

The Boulder, Colorado-headquartered not-for-profit added that the $79.1 billion amounted to a 4% increase over 2017’s $76.1 billion in output. A similar report shared by the BA in 2012, reported $33.9 billion in economic output.

The release of the new analysis comes about a week before the BA’s largest consumer-facing event of the year, the annual Great American Beer Festival in Denver.

According to the BA, the craft brewing industry was responsible for creating more than 559,545 total jobs last year, with 150,055 jobs directly at breweries. The craft brewing industry also contributed more than $5 billion in direct wages and benefits to its workers.

The BA also broke down the economic impact in each state and released a list of the five states with the greatest economic impact. California — where 1,000 independent breweries are in operation as of August 2019, according to the California Craft Brewers Association — once again led the way with an output of $9 billion. Pennsylvania ($6.3 billion), Texas ($5.1 billion), New York ($4.1 billion) and Florida ($3.6 billion) rounded out the top five.

A-B’s Natural Light Hard Seltzer and Big 12 Conference Announce Partnership

Anheuser-Busch and the Big 12 Conference announced a partnership this week to make Natural Light Seltzer the “Official Hard Seltzer of the Big 12 Conference.”

The sponsorship will include elements during games, online and social media, as well as advertising during the conference’s baseball, football, and men’s and women’s basketball championships, according to Forbes. The partnership is solely with the athletic conference, not the 10 universities within the league, the outlet noted.

Ricardo Marques, vice president of core and value brands at Anheuser-Busch, told Forbes that the sponsorships would help increase Natural Light Hard Seltzer’s market share due to hard seltzer being “still in its early days as awareness.”

The deal is the latest is an ongoing trend of hard seltzer brands partnering with sports leagues and teams, including Boston Beer’s Truly Hard Seltzer being named the “official hard seltzer” of the National Hockey League earlier this week.

Anheuser-Busch InBev Acquires Markstein Beverage Co. in San Marcos

California’s beer distribution system is being shaken up once again.

Anheuser-Busch InBev announced Friday evening the planned acquisition of “key assets” from Markstein Beverage Co. in San Marcos, California. The company will add those assets to its existing wholly owned distributor, Anheuser-Busch Sales of San Diego.

The move comes about 15 months after Markstein, under threat of termination, was forced to sell the distribution rights to the Constellation Brands portfolio of Mexican import brands, including Corona Extra, Modelo Especial, and Pacifico, among others, in northern San Diego County to the Reyes Beverage Group.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close upon closing requirements being met.

Beyond A-B products, Markstein’s portfolio in San Marcos includes craft brands such as Sierra Nevada, Hangar 24, Speakeasy and Drake’s Brewing, as well as offerings from Craft Brew Alliance, including Kona Brewing, Redhook, Widmer Brothers and Square Mile Cider. The future of those brands’ distribution appears unclear.

White Claw Maker Investing $250 Million to Increase Production and Meet Demand

Starbucks, Apple, Tesla … and White Claw? Anthony von Mandl, the founder of White Claw parent company Mark Anthony Brands, told thousands of beer wholesalers Tuesday during the National Beer Wholesalers Association’s Annual Convention that his company is a disruptor in the vein of those iconic brands.

According to von Mandl, White Claw’s disruption is “growing beer and unlocking substantial incremental profits and sales growth” for its beer wholesalers and retailers. He expressed confidence that White Claw will be “an enduring brand” that will be “connected to consumers for decades to come” with “the potential to deliver billions of dollars of profit” to its partners.

“We are building an iconic global brand just as Starbucks did,” he proclaimed.
Despite a flood of new entrants into the hard seltzer category — von Mandl said there are more than 70 hard seltzer brands on the market now — White Claw has maintained 60% of the market share, and combined with Boston Beer Company’s Truly Hard Seltzer, commands about 75% of the market.

To meet consumer demand for White Claw, Mark Anthony Brands is investing $250 million to build a pair of production facilities on both coasts, as well as doubling its capacity at the Cold Spring contract brewery in Minnesota.

In New Jersey, the company plans to build a brownfield production brewery from the ground up that is capable of producing 50 million cases of White Claw annually. That facility is expected to be operational by April 2020.

Meanwhile, the company is still in the process of site selection for a potential West Coast brewery. Those three facilities, along with the company’s co-packer in Tennessee, will give it as much as 200 million cases of capacity in 2020, and 250 million cases in 2021.

Craft Beer Storm Website: www.craftbeerstorm.com


** Check out Upcoming Craft Beer Weekends **


Hampton, NH
The Victoria Inn Bed & Breakfast and Pavilion

Craft Beer Weekend - Dates: October 25-27, 2019

Friday - Food / Beer Pairing at Inn / Q&A Brewer's Panel
Saturday - Beer Bus takes you to local Breweries/Dinner
Sunday - Kegs N Eggs and BeerMosas

Availability: Limited - Book NOW!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/craft-beer-storm-weekend-tickets-74469531373



If your Company, Hotel or Restaurant wants to book a CraftBeer Weekend or Craft Beer Evening for your guests or employees send an email to Michael@craftbeerstorm.com



Subscribe to Craft Beer Storm Podcast iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/craft-beer-storm/id1438117278?mt=2


Support ACS In NYC Marathon
“32K In 64 days” - I signed up for the NYC Marathon through the American Cancer Society and I am aiming to raise $32,000 ($3,200 Minimum X 10X) - please follow link below to donate what you can - $25, $50, $30K! - Onward... - Here is link –
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=94035&pg=personal&px=49477898&fbclid=IwAR2mBEvhF1wMA_BbHPhkavichNSFrE9Y9gi2RVZzfQ_4Da5Sht7gvH9rY_k

*** A Top 20 Podcast in Food on iTunes ***

Michael Potorti is the Host of Craft Beer Storm and Founder/Brewer at Beara Brewing Co. in Portsmouth, NH

*** Interested in starting your own brewery? Our Portsmouth, NH TURNKEY facility is for sale! Follow link for more info:

https://www.neren.com/Listing/2800-Lafayette-Rd-12A/5cdda2dabf34cb9150a7faeb


Michael Potorti
Founder/Brewer
Host of "Craft Beer Storm" Podcast
michael@craftbeerstorm.com
michael@bearairishbrew.com

*** Come visit our brewery for some delicious local craft brew! ***

Beara Brewing Co.
2800 Lafayette Road
Portsmouth, NH 03801
Tel. (857) 342-3272

www.bearairishbrew.com

Like us on

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bearairishbrew/?hl=en


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BearaIrishBrewingCo

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BearaIrishBrew

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beara-brewing-co-30776075/

**LISTEN to our Craft Beer Storm Podcast and share with a friend**

Craft Beer Storm Podcast iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/craft-beer-storm/id1438117278

Craft Beer Storm You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp3PVuCGmywNWlGFh0N0ukg?view_as=subscriber

Craft Beer Storm Podcast Stitcher:
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/podcast-center-la-2/craft-beer-storm

Craft Beer Storm Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/craftbeerstorm/

Craft Beer Storm Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/michaelpotorti/

Craft Brew News 9/20/19

A-B Appeals ‘No Corn Syrup’ Ruling’

Anheuser-Busch is appealing a preliminary injunction granted to MillerCoors that would block the company from selling Bud Light in packages that contain “no corn syrup” language and an icon starting March 2, according to MediaPost.

Federal judge William Conley last week modified an existing partial preliminary injunction awarded to MillerCoors in May, which blocked A-B from displaying certain Bud Light billboards and television ads that he deemed “misleading.”

Coors Distributing Co. Adds Distribution of CBD-Infused Beverages in Denver

Coors Distributing Co. is taking a step into the growing CBD-infused beverage category, announcing Friday that it will begin distributing products from Colorado’s Best Drinks and DRAM Apothecary.

Coors will provide distribution coverage for CBD and DRAM across the Denver metro area, where it services more than 1,000 accounts, DeGraff said in an email to BevNET. The company will provide DSD to bars, restaurants, liquor stores, grocery stores, c-stores, sports and entertainment venues and licensed events. Coors will have the exclusive right to sell to outlets with a liquor license.

According to Fulton, Coors will take on around 40,000 cases of product off the bat, and that the two companies have had preliminary discussions about extending the distribution agreement beyond the Denver area to include other regions within the state.

Founders Brewing Sale Valued at $198 Million

Spanish brewer Mahou San Miguel paid $198.8 million to acquire an additional 59% stake in Founders Brewing Company this year, MLive reported, citing a purchase agreement and other documents filed with the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC).

Mahou San Miguel already owned 30% of the Grand Rapids-based craft brewery following a 2014 transaction valued at $96.3 million. Once this transaction closes next year, the company will hold 90% of Founders, while Founders Brewing co-founders Mike Stevens and Dave Engbers will each retain 5% of the business.

If accurate, Mahou San Miguel will have paid more than $294 million for its majority stake in Founders. For reference, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery’s merger with Boston Beer Company was valued at $300 million in cash and stock.


Dogfish Head Boil Kettle, Vibrating Football Game Added to Smithsonian

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History has added Dogfish Head co-founder Sam Calagione’s boil kettle and vintage electric football game — used in the process of continual hopping — to its growing collection of homebrewing and craft beer history items in the American Brewing History Initiative, according to Smithsonian.com.

Calagione told the website “My Dogfish Head co-workers and I are excited to have our brewery’s original boil kettle and continual-hopping invention now within the Smithsonian’s permanent collection,”. “This American institution is all about shaping the future by preserving our country’s heritage.”

The American Brewing History Initiative is the first project aimed at collecting and preserving artifacts from the growth of the craft beer industry.

In other Dogfish news, the company’s collaboration trail running shoes — with SeaQuench Ale branding — with Merrell, was the No. 1 selling shoe on the company’s website after the launch.

Craft Beer Storm Website: www.craftbeerstorm.com


** Check out Upcoming Craft Beer Weekends **


Hampton, NH
The Victoria Inn Bed & Breakfast and Pavilion

Craft Beer Weekend - Dates: October 25-27, 2019

Friday - Food / Beer Pairing at Inn / Q&A Brewer's Panel
Saturday - Beer Bus takes you to local Breweries/Dinner
Sunday - Kegs N Eggs and BeerMosas

Availability: Limited - Book NOW!

http://www.thevictoriainn.com/6th-annual-craft-beer-storm-weekend-2019/


If your Company, Hotel or Restaurant wants to book a CraftBeer Weekend or Craft Beer Evening for your guests or employees send an email to Michael@craftbeerstorm.com



Subscribe to Craft Beer Storm Podcast iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/craft-beer-storm/id1438117278?mt=2


Support ACS In NYC Marathon
“32K In 64 days” - I signed up for the NYC Marathon through the American Cancer Society and I am aiming to raise $32,000 ($3,200 Minimum X 10X) - please follow link below to donate what you can - $25, $50, $30K! - Onward... - Here is link –
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=94035&pg=personal&px=49477898&fbclid=IwAR2mBEvhF1wMA_BbHPhkavichNSFrE9Y9gi2RVZzfQ_4Da5Sht7gvH9rY_k

*** A Top 20 Podcast in Food on iTunes ***

Michael Potorti is the Host of Craft Beer Storm and Founder/Brewer at Beara Brewing Co. in Portsmouth, NH

*** Interested in starting your own brewery? Our Portsmouth, NH TURNKEY facility is for sale! Follow link for more info:

https://www.neren.com/Listing/2800-Lafayette-Rd-12A/5cdda2dabf34cb9150a7faeb


Michael Potorti
Founder/Brewer
Host of "Craft Beer Storm" Podcast
michael@craftbeerstorm.com
michael@bearairishbrew.com

*** Come visit our brewery for some delicious local craft brew! ***

Beara Brewing Co.
2800 Lafayette Road
Portsmouth, NH 03801
Tel. (857) 342-3272

www.bearairishbrew.com

Like us on

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bearairishbrew/?hl=en


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BearaIrishBrewingCo

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BearaIrishBrew

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beara-brewing-co-30776075/

**LISTEN to our Craft Beer Storm Podcast and share with a friend**

Craft Beer Storm Podcast iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/craft-beer-storm/id1438117278

Craft Beer Storm You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp3PVuCGmywNWlGFh0N0ukg?view_as=subscriber

Craft Beer Storm Podcast Stitcher:
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/podcast-center-la-2/craft-beer-storm

Craft Beer Storm Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/craftbeerstorm/

Craft Beer Storm Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/michaelpotorti/

Craft Brew News 09/12/19

Judge Denies A-B’s Motion to Dismiss Patagonia Trademark Lawsuit

A federal judge on Tuesday denied Anheuser-Busch’s motion to dismiss a trademark case filed by outdoor clothing maker Patagonia after the world’s largest beer manufacturer launched a beer called Cerveza Patagonia.

According to Law 360, Patagonia sued for trademark dilution, rather than trademark infringement, due to the two company’s products being unrelated. A company can only file for trademark dilution when the mark has become “famous.”

U.S. District Judge Virginia A. Phillips ruled that Patagonia, who cited more than $10 billion in sales, did indeed fit this description.

Phillips wrote “To meet the ‘famousness’ element of protection under the dilution statutes, a mark must be truly prominent and renowned. “Plaintiffs have sufficiently alleged that its ‘Patagonia’ mark is famous and distinctive.”

Along with trademark dilution, the lawsuit also sought to cancel A-B’s 2012 registration of the name “Patagonia,” as it could be associated with the apparel company. Phillips refused A-B’s request to dismiss those claims.

Patagonia general counsel Rob Tadlock told Law 360 that A-B has “deliberately tried to confuse customers into thinking that Patagonia Cerveza is produced by Patagonia, rather than Anheuser-Busch.”

Last month, A-B launched Cerveza Patagonia in 13 states.

Brewers Association Estimates Number of Breweries in Planning

Brewers Association (BA) chief economist Bart Watson, referencing state license lists and brewery-in-planning memberships in its database, along with Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) permits, estimated that 1,940 breweries will open in the U.S. over the next two years. According to Watson, when factoring in brewery closures, the number of total breweries in the U.S. over the next two years could reach around 9,200.

Check out our Podcast with Bart Watson on Episode # 41 - Here is link:

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/966-craft-beer-storm-29999356/episode/episode-41-what-kind-30904715/

Narragansett Acquires 18,000 Sq. Ft. Brewery in Rhode Island

Narragansett Beer officially acquired an 18,000 sq. ft. building in Providence, Rhode Island, which will serve as the company’s new headquarters. Narragansett plans to add an indoor taproom, outdoor beer garden and special event space to the facility, which is slated to open in spring 2020.

Narragansett president Mark Hellendrung told Brewbound that he expects the first phase of the project to cost $6 million. The company will also own the building.

In a press release, Hellendrung called the brewery acquisition a “homecoming” for him and “a new chapter” for the brand.

“To have a brewery right at the top of Narragansett Bay, that’s easy to get to in Providence, and is connected to the picturesque India Point Park and the East Bay bike path is really a dream come true,” he said.

Narragansett will continue to produce its higher volume offerings at FIFCO USA and Isle Brewers Guild in Pawtucket, while producing small-batch and innovation beers on a 15- or 20- barrel brewhouse in Providence, where the company also plans to install a canning line.

Anheuser-Busch Donates Canned Water to Hurricane Dorian Relief Effort

Anheuser-Busch, answering the American Red Cross’ request for aide, donated more than 100,000 cans of water to Florida residents in advance of Hurricane Dorian, according to Florida Politics. The water was delivered to A-B’s Jacksonville brewery from its production facility in Carterville, Georgia. Southern Eagle Distributing, Gold Coast Eagle Distributing and Bernie Little Distributors distributed the water.

Craft Beer Storm Website: www.craftbeerstorm.com


** Check out Upcoming Craft Beer Weekends **


Hampton, NH
The Victoria Inn Bed & Breakfast and Pavilion

Craft Beer Weekend - Dates: October 25-27, 2019

Friday - Food / Beer Pairing at Inn / Q&A Brewer's Panel
Saturday - Beer Bus takes you to local Breweries/Dinner
Sunday - Kegs N Eggs and BeerMosas

Availability: Limited - Book NOW!

http://www.thevictoriainn.com/6th-annual-craft-beer-storm-weekend-2019/


If your Company, Hotel or Restaurant wants to book a CraftBeer Weekend or Craft Beer Evening for your guests or employees send an email to Michael@craftbeerstorm.com



Subscribe to Craft Beer Storm Podcast iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/craft-beer-storm/id1438117278?mt=2


Support ACS In NYC Marathon
“32K In 64 days” - I signed up for the NYC Marathon through the American Cancer Society and I am aiming to raise $32,000 ($3,200 Minimum X 10X) - please follow link below to donate what you can - $25, $50, $30K! - Onward... - Here is link –
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=94035&pg=personal&px=49477898&fbclid=IwAR2mBEvhF1wMA_BbHPhkavichNSFrE9Y9gi2RVZzfQ_4Da5Sht7gvH9rY_k

*** A Top 20 Podcast in Food on iTunes ***

Michael Potorti is the Host of Craft Beer Storm and Founder/Brewer at Beara Brewing Co. in Portsmouth, NH

*** Interested in starting your own brewery? Our Portsmouth, NH TURNKEY facility is for sale! Follow link for more info:

https://www.neren.com/Listing/2800-Lafayette-Rd-12A/5cdda2dabf34cb9150a7faeb


Michael Potorti
Founder/Brewer
Host of "Craft Beer Storm" Podcast
michael@craftbeerstorm.com
michael@bearairishbrew.com

*** Come visit our brewery for some delicious local craft brew! ***

Beara Brewing Co.
2800 Lafayette Road
Portsmouth, NH 03801
Tel. (857) 342-3272

www.bearairishbrew.com

Like us on

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bearairishbrew/?hl=en


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BearaIrishBrewingCo

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BearaIrishBrew

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beara-brewing-co-30776075/

**LISTEN to our Craft Beer Storm Podcast and share with a friend**

Craft Beer Storm Podcast iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/craft-beer-storm/id1438117278

Craft Beer Storm You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp3PVuCGmywNWlGFh0N0ukg?view_as=subscriber

Craft Beer Storm Podcast Stitcher:
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/podcast-center-la-2/craft-beer-storm

Craft Beer Storm Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/craftbeerstorm/

Craft Beer Storm Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/michaelpotorti/

Craft Brew News 09/06/19

(Courtesy of Brewbound.com)

https://www.brewbound.com/

Night Shift to Open $10 Million Brewery in Philadelphia, Expand Production in Everett, MA

Everett, Massachusetts-based Night Shift Brewing announced plans Wednesday to open a $10 million, 130,000 sq. ft. production brewery in Philadelphia.

Speaking to Brewbound, Night Shift co-founder Michael Oxton said the company is “committed” to opening the new brewery before the end of 2020.

The Philadelphia project is being financed through a combination of cash flow and bank debt, he added.

Night Shift’s three founders — Oxton, Rob Burns and Michael O’Mara — collectively own about 80% of the business, with friends and family holding the remaining stake in the company.
Oxton said “Since our beginning, we haven’t taken on any more investors and we have no plans to do so,”. “Our runway is fiercely independent for 100-plus years, and we have no plans of raising outside capital and letting another firm sort of dictate our decisions.”

Earlier this month, the Philadelphia Board of Zoning Adjustment approved Night Shift’s permit to operate a taproom inside a former Anheuser-Busch wholesaler warehouse, according to the Boston Globe, which first reported the story Wednesday.

In Philadelphia, Night Shift will lease the building, which is already equipped with refrigeration space, loading docks and a potential taproom location. The company plans to install a 100-barrel brewhouse in the space, which will immediately unlock 30,000 barrels of initial capacity. Over time, Night Shift could scale production at the facility to 200,000 barrels of capacity, although Oxton stressed that Night Shift remains committed to a philosophy of letting demand dictate growth.

In addition to opening the Philadelphia brewery, Night Shift is upgrading its Everett headquarters, replacing its 20-barrel brewhouse with a 60-barrel system. The new brewhouse is expected to be operational next month.

All of that demand has Night Shift on pace for 50% volume growth by the end of 2019. Oxton projects the company will produce more than 40,000 barrels, up from around 30,000 barrels in 2018.

Craft Brew Alliance Exploring All Options in the Wake of No Offer from A-B

Craft Brew Alliance CEO Andy Thomas had a rare off-cycle conference call with investors and analysts today after his company’s largest playmate, Anheuser-Busch InBev, declined its long-held option to purchase the Portland, Oregon-headquartered craft beer maker.

The call came two weeks after the August 23 deadline for A-B, which already owns 31.3% of CBA, to make an offer of $24.50 per share (about $328 million) to purchase the remainder of the company or pay a one-time fee of $20 million. A-B opted for the latter, leaving questions about the world’s largest beer manufacturer’s future interest in the smaller beer company known for brands such as Kona Brewing, Widmer Brothers, Redhook and others.

Since that time, CBA’s stock (BREW) has declined from $12.96 on August 22, the day before the deadline, to $9.28 at the end of trading today. It has sparked speculation that CBA might look to sell to another suitor or divest its brands, including fast-growing Kona. Another narrative emerged saying CBA and/or Kona were too entangled with A-B to ever be unlinked.

Thomas stressed that CBA’s management team is being “exhaustive” in making sure all options are considered before choosing the correct path forward. The company’s leadership team has begun working with independent board members, bankers and external advisors to explore alternatives, “strategic and otherwise,” and the conversations with A-B have continued as CBA tries to understand what a future relationship looks like, he said.

“We wouldn’t be in the discussions that we’re in right now if we thought status quo is an acceptable outcome,” he added. “It is not.”

The biggest CBA block is that Kona brand, which is pushing 500,000 barrels and growing “high-single to low-double-digits,” Thomas said.

Boston Beer Company is Taking Truly Hard Seltzer on Tap to Bars and Restaurants

Truly Hard Seltzer-maker Boston Beer Company announced today the nationwide launch of “Truly on Tap,” a new product that the company is calling ”one of the first hard seltzers available on draft” across the country.

Boston Beer CEO Dave Burwick told Brewbound, via email, that Truly on Tap is the Pure offering renamed. He noted that Truly on Tap shares many of the attributes of a vodka soda: “effervescent, clear, finished with a squeeze of fresh fruit” but with a lower ABV.

According to the sales sheet, Boston Beer appears to be positioning Truly on Tap as an alternative to light beer and spirits, attempting to capture happy hour and game-day occasions during the upcoming football season.

Citing off-premise sales data from market research firm IRI, the sales sheet notes that hard seltzer sales year-to-date have surpassed those of IPAs — the most popular craft beer style — through July 7.

Additionally, the company calls out a Radius study, which found that two-thirds of drinkers said they would substitute drinking a beer at a bar with hard seltzer if it were available. If that wasn’t a sobering stat for alcohol producers, Boston Beer cited a Harris Poll that the company commissioned last October that found 70% of 21- to 31-year-old consumers said they’d choose hard seltzer over other alcoholic beverages at bars and restaurants.

Truly, along with White Claw, already make up 85 percent the off-premise sales of hard seltzer offerings, according to market research firm Nielsen. The firm also projects the hard seltzer industry to generate $1 billion by the end of 2019.

Dogfish Head Nears National Distribution; Adds 45th State, Mississippi

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery is just five states away from completing national distribution.

The Milton, Delaware-based craft brewery, which merged with Boston Beer Company earlier this year, announced Monday the addition of its 45th state — Mississippi — via Capital City Beverages.
Sales of Dogfish Head products, such as 60 Minute IPA, Slightly Mighty IPA, SeaQuench Ale and 90 Minute IPA, as well as seasonal offerings, will begin in the state starting in early September.

Last year, Dogfish Head ranked as the 13th largest domestic craft brewery, with production of 275,000 barrels of beer, according to national trade group the Brewers Association. The company is on pace to grow to around 300,000 barrels by the end of this year, with net sales of $120 million.

The $300 million merger of Dogfish Head and Boston Beer — which makes the Samuel Adams, Truly Hard Seltzer, Twisted Tea and Angry Orchard cider brands — was completed in July.

Following the transaction, Boston Beer founder Jim Koch said the two brands would work to align into a single wholesaler network.

Koch told Brewbound in July, “We think monogamy works a lot better in wholesaler relationships than polygamy,”


Craft Beer Storm Website: www.craftbeerstorm.com


** Check out Upcoming Craft Beer Weekends **


Hampton, NH
The Victoria Inn Bed & Breakfast and Pavilion

Craft Beer Weekend - Dates: October 25-27, 2019

Friday - Food / Beer Pairing at Inn / Q&A Brewer's Panel
Saturday - Beer Bus takes you to local Breweries/Dinner
Sunday - Kegs N Eggs and BeerMosas

Availability: Limited - Book NOW!

http://www.thevictoriainn.com/6th-annual-craft-beer-storm-weekend-2019/


If your Company, Hotel or Restaurant wants to book a CraftBeer Weekend or Craft Beer Evening for your guests or employees send an email to Michael@craftbeerstorm.com



Subscribe to Craft Beer Storm Podcast iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/craft-beer-storm/id1438117278?mt=2


Support ACS In NYC Marathon
“32K In 64 days” - I signed up for the NYC Marathon through the American Cancer Society and I am aiming to raise $32,000 ($3,200 Minimum X 10X) - please follow link below to donate what you can - $25, $50, $30K! - Onward... - Here is link –
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=94035&pg=personal&px=49477898&fbclid=IwAR2mBEvhF1wMA_BbHPhkavichNSFrE9Y9gi2RVZzfQ_4Da5Sht7gvH9rY_k

*** A Top 20 Podcast in Food on iTunes ***

Michael Potorti is the Host of Craft Beer Storm and Founder/Brewer at Beara Brewing Co. in Portsmouth, NH

*** Interested in starting your own brewery? Our Portsmouth, NH TURNKEY facility is for sale! Follow link for more info:

https://www.neren.com/Listing/2800-Lafayette-Rd-12A/5cdda2dabf34cb9150a7faeb


Michael Potorti
Founder/Brewer
Host of "Craft Beer Storm" Podcast
michael@craftbeerstorm.com
michael@bearairishbrew.com

*** Come visit our brewery for some delicious local craft brew! ***

Beara Brewing Co.
2800 Lafayette Road
Portsmouth, NH 03801
Tel. (857) 342-3272

www.bearairishbrew.com

Like us on

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bearairishbrew/?hl=en


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BearaIrishBrewingCo

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BearaIrishBrew

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beara-brewing-co-30776075/

**LISTEN to our Craft Beer Storm Podcast and share with a friend**

Craft Beer Storm Podcast iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/craft-beer-storm/id1438117278

Craft Beer Storm You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp3PVuCGmywNWlGFh0N0ukg?view_as=subscriber

Craft Beer Storm Podcast Stitcher:
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/podcast-center-la-2/craft-beer-storm

Craft Beer Storm Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/craftbeerstorm/

Craft Beer Storm Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/michaelpotorti/

Craft Brew News - 8/30/19

(Courtesy of Brewbound.com)

Amazon’s California Alcohol Delivery Service Under Investigation

The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control has opened an investigation into Amazon’s Prime Now beer, wine, and spirits delivery service in the state after wine database and news outlet Wine Searcher reported possible violations of California liquor law.

According to California liquor law, alcohol delivery services are required to have brick-and-mortar stores that operate for at least half the hours of their delivery operation.

When a Wine Searcher reporter went to visit the ecommerce giant’s brick-and-mortar location at 3334 North San Fernando Road in Los Angeles, there was no storefront to be found, the website reported. The reporter claimed he could only find an “Associate’s Entrance” to Amazon Flex Delivery Partners, its private delivery service.

Wine Searcher alleged that Amazon, which was issued a liquor license in February, violated its license in several ways, including not displaying alcoholic beverages for sale, not having alcoholic beverages available for sale, and not posting store hours.

Matthew Hydar, supervising agent for the California Department of ABC, told Wine Searcher that the article sparked the ABC’s investigation. He said if the accusations were proven, the ABC could potentially strip Amazon of its liquor license until it has established a brick-and-mortar store or fine the company. Another option would be for the case to go before an administrative law judge, although Hydar said he does not expect criminal charges against the company.

Anheuser-Busch’s ZX Ventures Acquires Barbarian

Anheuser-Busch InBev’s growth and innovation group, ZX Ventures, has acquired Peruvian craft brewery Barbarian. Financial details were not disclosed, although ZX acquired 100% of the company’s shares, according to La Republica.

The acquisition was announced in Peru on August 13. Barbarian’s founders and collaborators will remain with the company, and ZX plans to triple Barbarian’s production by 2020, according to the outlet.

Co-founder Ignacio Schwalb said “We know that Barbarian has an incredible growth potential and that is why we have made the decision to add an important partner, which will take Barbarian to the next level,”. “This partnership opens a new world full of possibilities and will give us the opportunity to look carefully at our processes and search for optimizations in order to strengthen the growth and sustainability of the brewery.”

A-B InBev also owns Peruvian brewery Backus, which was obtained as part of the MegaBrew merger with SABMiller in 2015.

Empire Farmstead Brewery Files for Bankruptcy

New York’s Empire Farmstead Brewery and affiliate Empire Brewing Properties filed for Chapter 11 protection in the Northern District of New York’s Bankruptcy Court earlier this week, according to court records. News of the filing follows a July asset purchase agreement reached by the distressed brewing company and Wisconsin’s Burnett Dairy Cooperative for $3.25 million.

Empire, which opened in June 2016, attributed the bankruptcy filing to delays and high costs during the brewery’s construction, as well as a 2016 wild yeast infection that caused the brewery to “pull back” all bottled beer from distribution.

According to court records, the filing is to “to ensure the ongoing operations of the businesses so that they may be sold as going concerns, to market the Debtors’ assets for sale as going concerns through a competitive bidding process, and to address the Debtors’ financial difficulties for the benefit of their respective creditors.”

In 2017, Empire began working with Community Bank in an effort to sell the brewery or refinance its debt.

Wachusett Launches Fifty Trees Hard Cider Brand

Massachusetts’ Wachusett Brewing Company is further diversifying its portfolio with the addition of a new cider brand, Fifty Trees Hard Cider. According to a press release, the cider will be available in two styles: Original, a semi-dry cider blended with European Bittersweets, and Cranberry, featuring locally sourced cranberries. Fifty Trees sources its apples from orchards in North Central Massachusetts.

Wachusett president Christian McMahan said in the release “We have been making hard cider pretty consistently over the last two years,”. “We have done a ton of experimentation over that time and are proud to finally be able to launch Fifty Trees to a wider audience. ”

In addition to beer, Wachusett’s portfolio includes the Nauti hard seltzer brand.

Craft Beer Storm Website: www.craftbeerstorm.com


** Check out Upcoming Craft Beer Weekends **


Hampton, NH
The Victoria Inn Bed & Breakfast and Pavilion

Craft Beer Weekend - Dates: October 25-27, 2019

Friday - Food / Beer Pairing at Inn / Q&A Brewer's Panel
Saturday - Beer Bus takes you to local Breweries/Dinner
Sunday - Kegs N Eggs and BeerMosas

Availability: Limited - Book NOW!

http://www.thevictoriainn.com/6th-annual-craft-beer-storm-weekend-2019/


If your Company, Hotel or Restaurant wants to book a CraftBeer Weekend or Craft Beer Evening for your guests or employees send an email to Michael@craftbeerstorm.com



Subscribe to Craft Beer Storm Podcast iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/craft-beer-storm/id1438117278?mt=2


Support ACS In NYC Marathon

“32K In 64 days” - I signed up for the NYC Marathon through the American Cancer Society and I am aiming to raise $32,000 ($3,200 Minimum X 10X) - please follow link below to donate what you can - $25, $50, $30K! - Onward... - Here is link –

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=94035&pg=personal&px=49477898&fbclid=IwAR2mBEvhF1wMA_BbHPhkavichNSFrE9Y9gi2RVZzfQ_4Da5Sht7gvH9rY_k

*** A Top 20 Podcast in Food on iTunes ***

Michael Potorti is the Host of Craft Beer Storm and Founder/Brewer at Beara Brewing Co. in Portsmouth, NH

*** Interested in starting your own brewery? Our Portsmouth, NH TURNKEY facility is for sale! Follow link for more info:

https://www.neren.com/Listing/2800-Lafayette-Rd-12A/5cdda2dabf34cb9150a7faeb


Michael Potorti
Founder/Brewer
Host of "Craft Beer Storm" Podcast
michael@craftbeerstorm.com
michael@bearairishbrew.com

*** Come visit our brewery for some delicious local craft brew! ***

Beara Brewing Co.
2800 Lafayette Road
Portsmouth, NH 03801
Tel. (857) 342-3272

www.bearairishbrew.com

Like us on

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bearairishbrew/?hl=en


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BearaIrishBrewingCo

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BearaIrishBrew

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beara-brewing-co-30776075/

**LISTEN to our Craft Beer Storm Podcast and share with a friend**

Craft Beer Storm Podcast iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/craft-beer-storm/id1438117278

Craft Beer Storm You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp3PVuCGmywNWlGFh0N0ukg?view_as=subscriber

Craft Beer Storm Podcast Stitcher:
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/podcast-center-la-2/craft-beer-storm

Craft Beer Storm Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/craftbeerstorm/

Craft Beer Storm Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/michaelpotorti/

Craft Brew News 8/16/19

(Courtesy of Brewbound – www.brewbound.com)

Former North Carolina Brewers Alliance Leader Appears in Court on Embezzlement Charges
Kendra Penland Turner, former executive director of the Asheville Brewers Alliance, appeared in Superior Court Monday on charges of embezzlement and financial card fraud for unauthorized use of the organization’s credit card, according to ABC News affiliate WLOS.

Turner is accused of embezzling an unspecified amount of the Brewers Alliance’s money between February 2017 and April 2018, as well as charging more than $500 to its credit card from September 2016 to April 2018. She resigned last summer after three years in the role.

Turner could face up to five years in prison if convicted of both offenses. Her next court date is scheduled for September 19.

Anheuser-Busch to Launch Non-Alcoholic Budweiser in India

Anheuser-Busch will enter the non-alcoholic beer market in India with the launch of Budweiser 0.0, the company announced last week. Budweister 0.0 will be available in cans and bottles at retailers in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, and other cities, according to The Economic Times.

Ben Verhaert, AB InBev president for South Asia, said in a media statement. “Budweiser is one of the fastest growing beer brands in the country and we are thrilled to add Budweiser 0.0 to our portfolio here,” “While the market for non-alcoholic beers is still nascent here, as a leading brewer we see a great opportunity to grow this segment.”

News of the non-alcoholic Budweiser launch follows the city government in New Delhi, India’s capital, banning A-B from selling its products for three years after accusations of tax evasion, according to Reuters. The New Delhi government alleges that the world’s largest beer manufacturer duplicated barcodes sold at the city’s retailers in 2016 in order to pay lower taxes. A-B has denied these claims. Reuters reported Tuesday that city authorities denied A-B’s plea to temporarily lift the ban, while its appeal is under consideration.

Wellspent Brewing Company Closes

St. Louis-based Wellspent Brewing Company announced its closure, effective immediately, earlier this week. The brewery was opened by Kyle and Angela Kohlmorgen in March 2018.

In a letter posted to the brewery’s Facebook account, Kyle Kohlmorgen cited overwhelming debt for the end of Wellspent.

“We had a vision for Wellspent and a commitment to quality in both beer and experience,” he wrote. “To realize that vision and maintain that commitment, we needed a LOT more money than we had. We didn’t want to take on private investment for fear of diluting that vision and commitment.”

Kohlmorgen added that the goal was to keep Wellspent open long enough to break even, but after “starting way too fast,” the business wasn’t sustainable.

North Carolina Governor Signs Law to Allow Pets in Breweries

North Carolina Gov. Ray Cooper signed Senate Bill 290 into law last week, allowing pets inside breweries that do not prepare or serve foods starting September 1. The state previously banned pets from all food establishments, including breweries. However, it did not distinguish between breweries’ with restaurants and taprooms that do not serve food, according to Port City Daily.

Under the new law, a brewery is defined as being “not engaged in the preparation of food on the premises.”

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Michael Potorti
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Craft Brew News – 07/25/19

(courtesy or Brewbound – www.brewbound.com)

Anheuser-Busch InBev to Sell Australian Business to Asahi Group Holdings for $11.3 Billion

A week after pulling back from a planned IPO of its Asia-Pacific operations, Anheuser-Busch InBev announced today an $11.3 billion deal to sell its Australian subsidiary, Carlton & United Breweries, to Asahi Group Holdings.

The news also comes a day after The Wall Street Journal reported that A-B InBev was exploring asset sales of business units in Australia, South Korea, Guatemala and Honduras in an effort to cut its $100 billion debt load incurred through its 2016 MegaBrew merger with SABMiller.

For its part, Asahi said the acquisition of Carlton & United Breweries creates a “third core [business] pillar” to go along with its business units in Japan and Europe. Asahi also pointed to “sustainable economic growth” in Australia, where the company already sells brands such as Asahi Super Dry, Peroni and Pilsner Urquell. Carlton & United Breweries’ portfolio of brands, including Carlton and Great Northern, is “highly profitable, with EBITDA margin of over 40 percent,” the company added.

Lord Hobo Cuts 8 Jobs, But Plans to Add Hundreds More as it Opens New Taprooms

Rumors of a large layoff at Massachusetts’ Lord Hobo Brewing Company began circulating Thursday evening on social media.

Reality was much different.

Lord Hobo founder Daniel Lanigan told Brewbound that the company cut eight jobs across sales, marketing, production and taproom staff this week, which he classified as part of the “normal course of business.”

“This is not a layoff. It’s not because of a financial problem,” he said. “We’re up 13,000 barrels this year over last year. We’re having a crazy good year.”

The Woburn, Massachusetts-based craft brewery, Lanigan added, has added 40 jobs over the last 12 months, and is currently hiring six other positions.
Molson Coors Acquires London’s Hop Stuff Brewery

Molson Coors has acquired financially troubled London craft brewery Hop Stuff.

In a blog post, Hop Stuff founder James Yeomans said the company had been facing “financial difficulties in the recent months” that forced it to enter “administration,” a process similar to bankruptcy in the U.S., on July 12.

Yeomans wrote “I’m pleased to say that we were able to secure an asset sale to Molson Coors Brewing Company as part of a pre-packaged administration process, which includes our brewery, brand and taprooms and the transfer of all staff to Molson Coors, Due to our financial position, this was the best possible option for our people and the future of our beers, or we faced the whole business going into liquidation.”

Hop Stuff was founded in 2013 with the support of 72 investors, according to the company’s website. The number of investors grew to 1,300 as the company conducted three “successful” crowdfunding rounds. In its third crowdfunding round, the company raised around $1 million (£800,000) in February 2018, taking its total investments received through crowdfunding to around $1.8 million (£1.5 million), according to The Morning Advertiser.

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michael@craftbeerstorm.com
michael@bearairishbrew.com

*** Come visit our brewery for some delicious local craft brew! ***

Beara Brewing Co.
2800 Lafayette Road
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Tel. (857) 342-3272

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Craft Brew News – 3/8/19

(Courtesy of Brewbound.com)

Massachusetts High Court Rules Against Craft Beer Guild Appeal

The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts has denied Sheehan Family Companies subsidiary Craft Beer Guild’s attempt to appeal a ruling that it violated laws prohibiting unfair trade practices and illegal “pay-to-play” activities, according to the Boston Globe.

The state high court agreed with the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC), which found that the beer wholesaler had violated the state law against “price discrimination” — a practice in which distributors sell the same quantity of a product at different prices to different retailers — by offering rebates to some retailers but not others. In a statement to the press, the ABCC said it remains “committed to ensuring an equal playing field in the alcoholic beverages industry” in Massachusetts.

The ABCC said. “We are pleased with today’s decision from the Supreme Judicial Court, upholding the regulation that prohibits manufacturers and wholesalers from bribing retailers,”
As Brewbound previously reported, the ABCC found that Craft Beer Guild, which distributes more than 200 craft brands from throughout Massachusetts, had paid bars about $120,000 from for tap handle placements.

In the 2017 ruling upheld this week by the Supreme Judicial Court, a Suffolk Superior Court judge ruled that the ABCC, which slapped Craft Beer Guild — which also operates as Craft Brewers Guild — with a 90-day license suspension in 2016 after an investigation revealed the company had “engaged in a pervasive illegal enterprise involving numerous retailers and corporations that spanned at least five years.” In lieu of suspension, Craft Beer Guild agreed to pay a $2.6 million fine.

Drizly Files Lawsuit Against Co-Founder, Eyes Cannabis Delivery

A lawsuit filed this week by Boston-based on-demand alcohol delivery company Drizly against Nick Rellas, its former co-founder and CEO, revealed the e-commerce company’s plans to expand into medical and recreational cannabis delivery later this year, according to Law 360.

The lawsuit alleges that Rellas, who exited Drizly in August, violated a 1-year non-compete and a nondisclosure agreement by attempting to start his own e-commerce cannabis delivery business, the outlet reported.

“Beginning in late 2017 and continuing through his tenure as CEO, Drizly decided to enter an adjacent market for another highly controlled product: legalized medical and recreational cannabis,” the lawsuit said. “Drizly has approached potential commercial retail partners, explored the best path to market, consulted with state regulatory officials, and crafted a market entry plan.”

US Supreme Won’t Hear Consumers’ MegaBrew Challenge

The U.S. Supreme Court has passed on hearing beer consumers’ bid to block Anheuser-Busch InBev’s $107 billion acquisition of rival SABMiller, according to Law 360.

A group of consumers had filed a lawsuit arguing that allowing the MegaBrew merger to proceed would have constricted the beer market, the outlet reported.
In October, the merger cleared its final hurdle to approval as a federal judge signed a “Modified Final Judgment” — more than two years after the Department of Justice initially green-lit the acquisition.

New Holland Receives Approval For Pabst-Branded Whiskey

New Holland Brewing Co. recently received federal label approval for a Pabst Brewing Co.-branded whiskey, signaling a contract distilling arrangement between the two companies, according to MiBiz.com.

Recall that Michigan beer company inked a marketing, sales and distribution agreement with Pabst in December 2016. Additionally, Pabst already sells a bourbon under the Not Your Father’s label.

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Michael Potorti is the Host of Craft Beer Storm and Founder/Brewer at Beara Brewing Co. in Portsmouth, NH

Michael Potorti
Founder/Brewer
Host of "Craft Beer Storm" Podcast
michael@craftbeerstorm.com
michael@bearairishbrew.com

*** Come visit our brewery for some delicious local craft brew! ***

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Tel. (857) 342-3272

www.bearairishbrew.com

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Craft Brew News 020819

Canada’s Collective Arts Brewing to Enter Cannabis Market

Canada’s Collective Arts Brewing is venturing into the cannabis sector.

The Hamilton, Ontario-based craft brewery, located about 50 miles from the New York border, has established a sister company called Collective Project Limited that will develop and sell cannabis-infused beverages.

In a conversation with Brewbound, CEO and co-founder Matt Johnston said the new line of THC- and CBD-infused beverages would be “artisanal” in nature, and could include non-alcoholic beer, as well as cold brew coffee or tea.

The company is also planning to make a multi-million dollar investment on dealcoholization equipment, which will be used to produce non-alcoholic beer infused with THC and CBD, Johnston said.

Collective Arts joins a growing list of beer manufacturers that have already invested in the cannabis space. Large beer companies such as Anheuser-Busch InBev (Tilray), Constellation Brands (Canopy Growth) and Molson Coors (Hexo) have each struck partnerships with Canadian cannabis companies. Other U.S. beer manufacturers, including Flying Dog, and Heineken-owned Lagunitas have experimented or explored the possibility of THC- and CBD-infused beverages. Craft Brew Alliance is also eying the sector.

Bell’s Brewery to Cease Beer Shipments to Virginia

Virginia may be for lovers, but it won’t be a place where drinkers can purchase Bell’s beer for much longer.

Bell’s Brewery founder Larry Bell notified the company’s seven Virginia wholesalers on Friday that the Michigan craft brewery would cease shipments to the state after filling final orders.
Bell told Brewbound. “We are not taking any new orders from them at this point,”

“Those were difficult calls to make,” he added. “It feels like the government shutdown. Here’s people that aren’t getting a paycheck because of somebody else’s dispute. But the fact of the matter is, with Virginia law, that if we stay in the market, we could be exposing ourselves to legal risk that could be financially devastating.”

Bell declined to explain further, citing ongoing legal proceedings before the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC). However, at the center of his company’s retraction from the state is a dispute over the attempted sale of Bell’s distribution rights to a subsidiary of the Reyes Beverage Group.

Bell added that his company’s overall shipments grew 2.7 percent in 2018, driven by distribution expansion and organic growth in the company’s home markets. In 2017, Bell’s ranked as the seventh largest craft brewery in the U.S., producing about 463,808 barrels of beer, according to trade group the Brewers Association.

Massachusetts Breweries Strike Strategic Partnership

Massachusetts’ Mercury Brewing and Newburyport Brewing today announced a strategic partnership that will give the latter company access to brewing capacity, via a contract arrangement, as well as various sales, marketing, and administrative resources.

Speaking to Brewbound, Rob Martin, owner of Mercury Brewing, which produces beers under the Ipswich Ale Brewery label, confirmed that his company had not taken an ownership stake in Newburyport.

Instead, Newburyport worked out an agreement with Mercury Brewing that includes payment for brewing, as well as sales, marketing and administrative services.

In the process of partnering up, Newburyport will close its existing production facility as it prepares to downsize brewing operations and open a “destination brewery” outfitted with a small-batch, 7-barrel system.

Newburyport currently operates on a 20-barrel brewing system and supplements its in-house production with beer brewed under contract at Isle Brewers Guild in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
Mercury Brewing currently makes beer for about 20 different companies, Martin said, and its facility has the capacity to produce as much as 45,000 barrels annually.

The addition of Newburyport’s contract business will take Mercury to roughly 90 percent capacity utilization, Martin said.

ZX Ventures Fully Acquires RateBeer

ZX Ventures, Anheuser-Busch InBev’s venture capital arm, has acquired the remaining portion of beer ratings website RateBeer.com that it did not already own.

ZX Venture’s full purchase of RateBeer comes after an initial investment was made in October 2016 and disclosed eight months ago.

According to a ZX Ventures spokesperson, RateBeer will continue to “operate as an independent entity,” and its “rating system will remain unchanged.”

In a statement, ZX Ventures said its acquisition of RateBeer will lead to the expansion of the brand into “new areas,” such as “an affiliate marketplace pilot program in Australia” and further upgrades to the platform’s user experience.

The initial round of investment led to backlash from RateBeer users as well as well-known craft brewers such as Dogfish Head and Karl Strauss, among others, who questioned the unbiased nature of the site and asked for their ratings to be removed..

News of the investment also comes a week after RateBeer announced its annual list of the “Top 100 Brewers,” which was topped by Vermont’s Hill Farmstead.

The rest of the top 10, in descending order, included Russian River Brewing, Trillium Brewing Company, Cigar City, Tree House Brewing, AleSmith, Toppling Goliath, Three Floyds, New Glarus and Side Project.

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Michael Potorti is the Host of Craft Beer Storm and Founder/Brewer at Beara Brewing Co. in Portsmouth, NH

Michael Potorti
Founder/Brewer
Host of "Craft Beer Storm" Podcast
michael@craftbeerstorm.com
michael@bearairishbrew.com

*** Come visit our brewery for some delicious local craft brew! ***

Beara Brewing Co.
2800 Lafayette Road
Portsmouth, NH 03801
Tel. (857) 342-3272

www.bearairishbrew.com

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Craft Brew News – 12/21/18

Pennsylvania Breweries Face Tax on Beer Sold in Taprooms

Craft brewery owners in Pennsylvania are attempting to restructure the collection of a forthcoming sales tax that is slated to begin next July and would increase the cost of beer sold directly to consumers for on- and off-premise consumption at the state’s nearly 300 taprooms, tasting rooms and brewpubs.

As of July 1, 2019, the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue (DOR) will begin collecting a 6 percent sales tax for every dollar of beer sold directly to consumers via brewery taprooms, tasting rooms and brewpubs. The tax would be in addition to the $2.48 per barrel state excise tax that Pennsylvania breweries already pay.

Chris Lampe, co-owner of Weyerbacher Brewing Company and president of the Brewers of PA, estimated that “90 percent” of the state’s 300 brewing locations would be affected by the implementation of the sales tax.

“In the past six years, the Brewers of Pennsylvania has gone from 12 members to 250 members and a large portion of those newer members of the Brewers of

For example, a bar owner would pay about $9 in taxes on a $150 keg purchased from a wholesaler. However, that same keg of beer sold inside a brewery taproom for $5 a pint, at 120 pints, would net $36 in taxes.

“I can tell you at Weyerbacher it certainly would be passed on and there would be a sign up saying this is exactly why,” Lampe said.

Anheuser-Busch and Tilray Partner to Research Non-Alcoholic THC and CBD Drinks

Anheuser-Busch InBev today announced a partnership with Canadian cannabis company Tilray that is aimed at researching non-alcoholic beverages infused with THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol).

In a joint press release, the two companies said they would each invest up to $50 million to better understand the market for beverages infused with cannabis. The arrangement is limited to Canada.
Under the terms of the partnership, A-B subsidiary Labatt Breweries of Canada will work with Tilray subsidiary High Park Company, an adult-use cannabis company that makes, sells and distributes cannabis brands in Canada.

Legal recreational cannabis sales throughout Canada began on October 17, 2018, and A-B InBev is latest major beer manufacturer to partner with a cannabis company north of the border.
Constellation Brands has invested more than $4 billion into Canada’s Canopy Growth Corporation, acquiring a 38 percent stake in the process.

Earlier this month, Congress passed the 2018 Farm Bill, which allows for the cultivation and more widespread commercialization of industrial hemp — a variety of the Cannabis sativa plant that, according to the bill, contains less than 0.3 percent THC. The bill would also exclude hemp from the Controlled Substances Act.

President Donald Trump is expected to sign the 2018 Farm Bill on Thursday.

Deschutes Cuts 7 Percent of Workforce

Oregon’s Deschutes Brewery laid off dozens of employees last week, citing missed growth projections.

Speaking to Brewbound, Deschutes Brewery president and CEO Michael LaLonde said the company cut about seven percent of its workforce on Thursday. Affected positions came from sales, marketing and operations.

LaLonde told Brewbound that Deschutes had “staffed up to grow over the past two years” but had to slash its workforce when that growth never materialized.

Deschutes, which was ranked as the tenth largest craft brewery last year by trade group the Brewers Association, is on pace to finish 2018 with sales of about 315,000 barrels of beer, LaLonde told Brewbound. The 30-year-old beer company’s volume trends are down from a peak in 2016, when it sold 374,313 barrels. Last year, the company’s sales declined 9 percent, to 339,155 barrels.

Deschutes is the latest craft brewery to downsize its workforce in 2018. Lagunitas, New Belgium, Green Flash, Ninkasi, and Avery Brewing, among others, also laid off workers this year. Large brewers, including Anheuser-Busch, MillerCoors, Constellation Brands and Pabst have also reduced their head counts.

The layoffs at Deschutes come about a week after the company said it would not break groundon a planned $95 million manufacturing facility in Roanoke, Virginia in 2019.

Lalonde told Brewbound that the goal remains to “break ground and build in Roanoke.” However, the size and scale of that project are now in question.

To Fund Ongoing Legal Disputes, Craft Beer Cellar Turns to Crowdsourcing

Embattled Massachusetts-based retail franchisor Craft Beer Cellar is asking the public for $250,000 that it says will be put toward “past, present and future legal demands.”

The request, posted to fundraising platform GoFundMe, comes about two months after the retailer’s parent company, “Craft Beer Stellar, LLC,” had a lawsuit against employment website Glassdoor dismissed by a federal judge in Massachusetts, and about one month after it filed a lawsuit against one of its franchisees.

On November 19, Craft Beer Stellar, which oversees 32 franchise locations and one wholly-owned retail store, filed a lawsuit against one of its franchisees, Gardiner, Maine-based Hoppy Days, LLC.

In addition to naming a group of one or more anonymous individuals that allegedly posted confidential information to the Glassdoor website as part of that lawsuit, Craft Beer Stellar also named John Callinan, who owned and operated the now-shuttered northern Maine beer store, as a defendant.

In the lawsuit, Craft Beer Stellar claims it has “suffered irreparable harm to its business and reputation in the craft beer industry,” and said the negative online reviews have caused the business to lose sales and “prospective business.”

As of press time, 12 individuals had pledged $625 toward the $250,000 goal. Among those who contributed are Idle Hands Craft Ales founder Chris Tkach and Firestone Walker territory manager Kristen Demergian.

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Michael Potorti is the Host of Craft Beer Storm and Founder/Brewer at Beara Brewing Co. in Portsmouth, NH

Michael Potorti
Founder/Brewer
Host of "Craft Beer Storm" Podcast
michael@craftbeerstorm.com
michael@bearairishbrew.com

*** Come visit our brewery for some delicious local craft brew! ***

Beara Brewing Co.
2800 Lafayette Road
Portsmouth, NH 03801
Tel. (857) 342-3272

www.bearairishbrew.com

Like us on

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Craft Beer News – 11/30/18

MillerCoors, Pabst settle lawsuit over brewing contract

•MillerCoors and Pabst Brewing settled a lawsuit Wednesday in which Pabst claimed the bigger brewer lied about its ability to continue brewing Pabst's beers to put that company out of business.

•"We have reached an amicable settlement in the case and are pleased to resolve all outstanding issues with Pabst," MillerCoors said in a statement. Settlement details were not disclosed.

•Since 1999, Chicago-based MillerCoors has made and shipped nearly all of Pabst's beers, which include Pabst Blue Ribbon, Old Milwaukee, Lone Star and Schlitz. Pabst's lawyers argued in the company's 2016 lawsuit that MillerCoors worried that Pabst would cut into its market share and devised a plan to stop brewing for the smaller competitor. MillerCoors' attorneys called Pabst's claim a conspiracy theory and said the company was simply deciding what makes economic sense.

•The agreement between MillerCoors and Pabst, which was founded in Milwaukee in 1844 but is now headquartered in Los Angeles, expires in 2020 but provides for two possible five-year extensions. The companies disagreed on how the extensions were to be negotiated: MillerCoors argued it had sole discretion to determine whether it can continue brewing for Pabst, whereas Pabst said the companies must work "in good faith" to find a solution if Pabst wanted to extend the agreement but MillerCoors lacked capacity.

•However, Pabst said internal documents from MillerCoors showed the company was worried about competition from Pabst and went as far as hiring a consultant to find a way to get out of the brewing agreement.

•Pabst needs 4 million to 4.5 million barrels brewed annually and claims MillerCoors is its only option. Pabst's lawsuit sought more than $400 million in damages and a court order for MillerCoors to honor its contract.

•MillerCoors and Anheuser-Busch, which have the biggest U.S. market share at 24.8 percent and 41.6 percent, respectively, have been losing business to smaller independent brewers, imports, and wine and spirits in recent years, according to the Brewers Association, a U.S.-based trade group. Overall U.S. beer sales have declined, with shipments down from 213.1 million barrels in 2008 to 204.2 million in 2017, according to the association.


Trillium Labor Practices, Brewing Methods Questioned

Massachusetts craft beer maker Trillium Brewing Company’s labor practices and brewing methods are under scrutiny after accusations were lodged last week by a self-described former employee in an online beer forum.

According to the former employee, who used the name “Abagofit” in a Beer Advocate forum, Trillium required its retail employees to reapply for jobs that they already held prior to last month’s opening of the company’s new brewery, taproom and restaurant in Boston’s Fort Point neighborhood. The ex-worker wrote that the base compensation for employees who had worked for more than three years at the brewery was cut from $8 an hour to $5 an hour to “work the exact same job across the street.”

“We apologize that this has caused any of our employees, customers or friends to doubt, in any way, the integrity of Trillium or their ongoing support of us,” the company said. “We are fortunate that we’ve assembled such a talented team and remain committed to brewing exceptional beer that we can share with our family, friends, and customers.”

Since the issues were raised last week, customers have left scathing comments on social media posts advertising new release beers priced at as much as $22.20 a 4-pack. One commenter shared a photoshopped label of Trillium’s “Cutting Tiles” double IPA with the name changed to “Cutting Wages.”

Staff pay wasn’t the only issue raised in the Beer Advocate forum. The former employee also accused Trillium of cutting corners in the brewing process, including pouring tequila into kegs of a beer and promoting the beer as being barrel-aged to consumers. The commenter also claimed that management instructed workers to lie to customers about the beer’s origins and later tell consumers that the tequila flavor was “brewers magic.”

“They straight up dumped tequila into the kegs,” the commenter wrote. “I’m no lawyer, but I know that is illegal.”

Trillium has yet to address those allegations.

People Moves: Ex-New Belgium Brewmaster Joins Melvin’s Board

Melvin Brewing Adds Peter Bouckaert to Board
Former New Belgium brewmaster Peter Bouckaert has joined Wyoming-based Melvin Brewing’s board of directors, according to Forbes.

Bouckaert — who left New Belgium after more than two decades to join Purpose Brewing and Cellars last May — told the outlet that he approached Melvin founder Jeremy Tofte at the 2018 Great American Beer Festival to discuss the company’s growth and to learn about its response to allegations that an employee had groped a server at another brewery in Bellingham, Washington, earlier this year. That employee — who was suspended, sent to sexual harassment training and given drug addiction treatment — is no longer with the company.

Bouckaert’s addition to Melvin’s board follows the exit of sales director Ted Whitney, who departed the fast-growing Wyoming craft brewery for a similar sales role with Nug, a California-based cannabis company that sells edibles, flowers, concentrates, seeds and more.

As US Beer Shipments Decline, Off-Premise Sales Remain Flat

Shipments of domestically brewed beer are down about 2.9 percent, according to the Beer Institute, but year-to-date volume sales at off-premise retailers are still basically flat.

Dwindling sales of domestic premium beers drove much of the declines, as volume sales of those products were down 5 percent during the period.

Picking up some of that lost volume were imported beers.

Despite modest growth for the craft category as a whole, volume sales for some of the country’s largest craft breweries – including New Belgium, Gambrinus, Craft Brew Alliance and Deschutes – were all in decline during the period.

Nevertheless, other top-ranked craft beer companies are bucking category-wide trends. Founders
Brewing, Stone Brewing, Canarchy Craft Brewery Collective, Firestone Walker, Dogfish Head and New Glarus Brewing were all up double-digits.

Among craft beer styles, IPAs are still the largest product type in the category, with dollar sales up 12.8 percent.

Sales of craft golden ales and “other pale lagers” are also still on the rise – both categories were up 13.5 percent and 52.9 percent, albeit on smaller volume bases.

Stories courtesy of Brewbound (https://www.brewbound.com/) and CNBC (https://www.cnbc.com/

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Michael Potorti is the Host of Craft Beer Storm and Founder/Brewer at Beara Brewing Co. in Portsmouth, NH

Michael Potorti
Founder/Brewer
Host of "Craft Beer Storm" Podcast
michael@craftbeerstorm.com
michael@bearairishbrew.com

*** Come visit our brewery for some delicious local craft brew! ***

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In this episode, we have Austin Schumacher and Chase Leftwich from Texmalt in studio to talk about their work and products. Texmalt is a new and local maltster located here in Fort Worth, TX that believes in demanding the highest quality locally sourced barley and other grains for malt production that ends up in the mash tuns of local and regional craft breweries. All while maintaining full transparency throughout all levels of production from grain source, to finished malt quality.

 

In which we sit down with Laurel Ruma to deconstruct the underlying economics of the craft beer industry and related questions. We talk about its parallels to the tech industry, valuations of breweries and the industry, what the future holds and terroir. If you like craft beer or if you don't like craft beer, this podcast is for you. 

Host:
Stephen O'Grady, @sogrady, RedMonk

Guest:
Laurel Ruma, @laurelatoreilly, O'Reilly Media

Links:
Beer in Vermont, important to the economy
http://www.shelburnenews.com/2016/03/03/beer-vermont-important-economy/
According to a recent report by the Vermont Brewers Association, the state’s craft beer industry has an annual economic impact of approximately $199 million and generates over 1,500 jobs. When including money stemming from craft beer tourism, that number swells to over $270 million—more than the annual economic impact of maple syrup in Vermont ($226 million-UVM Proctor Maple Research Center).

Women to get their own beer; will they want it? USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2016/05/21/women-get-but-they-want-their-own-beer/83857942/

"And many women seem to be finding flavorful beers on their own. Females are big fans of sour ales and wild ales, preferring them 75% more than men do, Nielsen found in a recent survey. Women are also 55% more likely to prefer herb/spice brews and 20% more likely to preferred blonde or golden ales, Nielsen found."

Anheuser-Busch InBev Divesting Its Stake in World's Largest Beer Brewer
general/2016/03/07/anheuser-busch-inbev-divesting-its-stake-in-worlds.aspx

"While Anheuser-Busch and Miller dominate more than 70% of the U.S. beer market..."

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