Daily News, Events and Opportunities in the Business of Beer
News, Articles and Press Releases
The Year in Beer: 2022 a year of ‘varied recovery’ for US craft brewers
US craft brewers have had to contend with supply chain disruption, competition from other beverage categories, and a continued unsteady on-trade recovery in 2022. But the innovation and flexibility of brewers will help them take on the challenges in 2023, says the Brewers Association, as it sums up the year.
The Bronx Brewery opens its third location in New York City at Hudson Yards
The Bronx Brewery recently announced its third location opened up in NYC on November 18. This third locale is at The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards, 20 Hudson Yards, Level Two. The new 1,400-sq-foot space is only the third operating brewery in Manhattan. Damian Brown, president and co-founder of The Bronx Brewery, made the announcement.
Craft beer on the rise in Mexico
Mexico is a beer-loving country, but it was relatively late to the craft beer scene, until now. Cerveza Mexico 2022 recently wrapped up in Mexico City. The three-day celebration of craft beer which drew over 16,000 attendees to the World Trade Center in late October culminated with the announcement of the winners of the Cerveza Cup 2022, a prize which recognizes the best in Mexican craft beer.
Distributors pessimistic about expected beer demand as 2022 ends
As 2022 winds down, there is a pessimistic outlook among beer distributors, reports the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA). The group’s Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI), a forward-looking indicator that measures expected beer demand, sports a low reading of 38 in November, and the “at-risk” inventory index is relatively higher at 49.
Beer is back: Asahi Japan sees sales bounce back but cautions over low-to-no
Beverage giant Asahi has seen a resurgence of consumer interest in beer in Japan but believes that some challenges are upcoming for other segments including low-alcohol and non-alcoholic products.
Pernod Ricard USA invests in first RTD canning line
Pernod Ricard USA will invest $22m in creating its first-ever RTD canning line, located at its Fort Smith plant in Arkansas: boosting its ability to bring RTDs to market swiftly.
Keurig Dr Pepper takes minority stake in non-alcoholic beer producer Athletic Brewing Company
Keurig Dr Pepper is taking a minority stake in American non-alcoholic craft beer maker, Athletic Brewing Company: following on from the acquisition of non-alcoholic RTD cocktail brand Atypique earlier this year.
UK brewers focus on a pathway to net zero
UK brewers are taking “huge steps” to be more environmentally friendly with an expanded, targeted roadmap being launched to help the sector decarbonise at pace to reach net zero.
The fractured future of beer: Consumer demand pushes the industry to innovate
Craft brewers are starting to think of themselves as beverage companies rather than breweries, writes Maria Pearman, Beverage Practice Leader at US accounting and advisory firm GHJ.
Pandemic helped shape UK craft beer sector for future growth: ‘A decade’s worth of change happened in the space of barely 18 months’
Independent craft brewers in the UK dramatically expanded their routes to market through online webshops, taprooms and independent off-trade during the pandemic: all likely to become a ‘permanent additional string to independent brewers’ bows’.
Is there an opportunity for low and no alcohol in the economy space?
Premiumization has been key in the low and no alcohol category to date. With the cost-of-living crisis, does this open up opportunities for the low and no-alcohol category to develop products in the economy space?
Heineken Vietnam opens South-East Asia’s largest brewery
Heineken Vietnam has unveiled its largest brewery in Ba Ria Vung Tau: which has become the region’s largest after multiple expansions over the last five years.
Alternative energy options for the craft brewery
Brewers have long been at the forefront of environmental causes and sustainable initiatives. From recycling to energy-efficient equipment, craft breweries have long worked to leave a minimal footprint in a very resource-heavy industry. The recent shock on fuel prices and rising energy costs along with an aging power grid in many states has caused breweries of all sizes to think about alternative energy sources or bringing equipment in-house to keep the lights on and taps flowing.
The 10 best US cities to visit for beer lovers
In many cases, entire trips can focus just on what there is to eat and drink in a particular location—especially if it’s a trip through wine country where you can accomplish both. But thanks to the craft beer boom of the past decade, the U.S. is also now home to an ever-growing number of locales that stand out in their own right. Without the need for vast vineyards or cavernous cellars, breweries have sprung up in practically any area where they can find four walls and a roof, creating an unprecedented era of quality and accessibility for the beverage. And while there’s likely plenty to sample in your neck of the woods, some of the beers in the world can only be found by planning a trip to visit them.
Emergency exit — Mikkeller to cease US brewing operations, close San Diego brewery
Copenhagen-based global beer company Mikkeller has announced it will close its only U.S. brewing facility in San Diego, citing “two years of COVID and the difficult current rising cost environment.” The closure does not include Mikkeller’s Little Italy taproom or its taproom in San Francisco. Mikkeller says it has 50 employees in the U.S., about half of whom will be laid off. Mikkeller San Diego has been open since 2016, and according to the Brewers Association (BA), produced 10,418 barrels of beer in 2021, down from a high of 11,750 in 2019.
Shipping shift — with legislation stalled, niche breweries file lawsuit to push for DTC beer delivery
Small breweries with a niche stylistic focus have undertaken what is likely to be a years-long effort to create more direct-to-consumer (DTC) shipping permissions for beer makers, similar to laws that already apply to wine. A victory would mean expanded sales opportunities for breweries and long-term potential to sell to new customers across the country. With a lawsuit filed against the state of Oregon, three Washington State breweries hope to show a courtroom can be more effective than legislators to even the playing field for beer producers.
Top 10 countries that drink the most beer
Beer is a truly international beverage, with lagers, stouts, and ales consumed throughout the world. But which countries drink the most of it? The data, from Kirin Holdings (which oversees Kirin Brewery Company), was published in January of this year and shows the estimated country-by-country beer consumption levels for 2020.
US breweries are for sale—but who’s buying?
With Australia looking to the US for beer style trends, will the latest business trend – breweries putting up the For Sale sign – also take hold here? Kate Bernot of Good Beer Hunting’s Sightlines looks into what’s driving the growing move towards breweries looking to sell in the US, and whether buyers are there…
Breckenridge Oktoberfest
One of the most iconic Oktoberfest events in Colorado returns with a three-day celebration in historic downtown Breckenridge, September 23 – 25, 2022. The 26th annual Breckenridge Oktoberfest Presented by Breckenridge Brewery mixes time-honored Oktoberfest traditions with collectible steins and local flavors from Breckenridge Brewery, this year’s premiere beer sponsor.
Lion sells UK craft brewers Fourpure and Magic Rock
Lion has sold its domestic UK-based operations – including the Magic Rock and Fourpure craft brewers – to Odyssey Inns Ltd.