Brewbound Podcast

National Beer Wholesalers Association chief economist Lester Jones joins the Brewbound Podcast to explain why he's bullish on the beer category despite the current economic climate. Plus, Jess and Justin discuss a nightmarish week, recap Brew Talks, and break down the latest headlines, including Night Shift's CO2 woes, the last gasp of Stone and Molson Coors' legal fight, Maui's plans to acquire M...

Bump Williams Consulting's Dave Williams and Brian "BK" Krueger break down craft's performance at the halfway point of 2022 and the opportunities available to suppliers. Plus, the Brewbound team talks Boston Beer's Truly tough Q2, wholesaler grievances and more.

Simply Spiked – the hard lemonade Molson Coors launched this summer in partnership with Coca-Cola – has taken the FMB corner of the bev-alc world by storm. Joy Ghosh, VP of marketing for above premium brands and FMBs at Molson Coors, joins the Brewbound Podcast to discuss the company's launch strategy, new campaigns and plans to recruit new drinkers. Plus, the Brewbound team breaks down July 4 off...

As Garden State regulators move to enforce strict limitations of brewery taproom events, Brewers Guild of New Jersey executive director Eric Orlando and Jersey City-based Departed Soles Brewing owner Brian Kulbacki join the Brewbound Podcast to discuss the fallout. Plus, the team talks about Molson Coors' Simply Spiked, the latest Modern Times auction developments, and more.

The Brewbound team regroups after the July 4 holiday weekend to discuss the potential sale of Melvin Brewing, the success of Russian River's Pliny the Younger release, the death of Boston Beer's Long Drink wannabe Bevy, early read Fourth numbers from Drizly and much more.

The Brewbound team discusses the pending sale of Stone Brewing to Sapporo and the auction sale of Modern Times to an affiliate of Brewery X. This week's featured guest is Courtney Simmons, diversity, equity and inclusion director for New Belgium and Bell's.

Modern Times finally hit the auction block, but the winning bid of $20 million from an affiliate of Anaheim, California-based Brewery X has been disputed by MTD Asset Acquisition. The Brewbound team also discusses developments in the trademark infringement lawsuit between Stone and Molson Coors and Mass. Bay Brewing's acquisition of Long Trail Brewing.

Leaders of Chicago-based Moor's Brewing Company share how their participation in a residency program for Black-owned breweries at Haymarket Brewing helped grow their fledgling business. This conversation took place during the first Brew Talks meetup of 2022 in Minneapolis during the Craft Brewers Conference.

Isaac Arthur and Cody Fague, the founders of Indianapolis-headquartered CODO Design, break down the beer branding trends to watch in 2022 and beyond, following the release of their annual branding trends review.

The Worldwide Brewing Alliance represents more than 80% of the world's beer production. President and CEO Justin Kissinger and advisor Dan Kopman join the Brewbound Podcast to discuss the global trade group's mission, as well as the challenges facing the beer category, which has lost 12% share of total ethanol to spirits over the last two decades.

Following the Brewers Association's annual Craft Brewers Conference, general counsel Marc Sorini and federal affairs director Katie Marisic join the Brewbound Podcast to discuss the trade group's legislative agenda and what's on the regulatory horizon for the craft beer industry.

Molson Coors appointed Jeff Agase to lead its craft beer division, Tenth & Blake, on May 11. Agase joins the Brewbound Podcast to share his vision for the division, where it fits within Molson Coors' premiumization efforts, and how the company views M&A.

The Brewbound team recaps the 2022 Craft Brewers Conference and shares their big takeaways from the gathering of 10,000 beer industry professionals in Minneapolis. Justin, Jess and Zoe discuss the push on direct-to-consumer sales, brewery cultures and the overarching themes of positivity and back-to-business mentality of the show.

How can festivals make the beer community more welcoming to people who often don't see themselves reflected in it? Barrel and Flow co-founder Day Bracey and Grace Weitz, founder of Beers With(out) Beards and the Queer Beer Festival, join the Brewbound team to discuss how their festivals offer inviting experiences to beer drinkers who buck the conventional stereotype of white, bearded, flannel-wear...

Leaders within the craft cider industry break scan data misconceptions and share how regional cideries are growing in 2022. American Cider Association executive director Michelle McGrath, Schilling Cider co-founder and CEO Colin Schilling, Swilled Dog Hard Cider & Spirits co-founder and CEO Brooke Glover, and ANXO Cider co-founder and president Sam Fitz discuss the state of the industry, convergen...

WWE legend "Stone Cold' Steve Austin and El Segundo Brewing Company leaders Rob Croxall and Tom Kelley share how their partnership on the Broken Skull line of beers works, the bump the beers received following this year's WrestleMania, why their collaboration feels organic and the future of the brand.

Modern Times is on the edge of entering receivership to begin a court-ordered sale process. Jack O'Connor, a partner with Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Helsinger in Chicago, joins the Brewbound Podcast to explain the process. The Brewbound team also discusses the latest news, including the latest Stone legal wranglings, CBC and more.

The Brewbound team reunites with Rich Bloomfield, Greg Williams and Zach Day, co-founders of Chicago-based Funkytown Brewery. Funkytown's founders discussed what they've been up to since winning the Brewbound Live 2021 Pitch Slam competition, what they've learned about the brewing industry since launching last year, and the roadblocks they've faced trying to bring craft beer to underserved communi...

A jury awarded Stone Brewing $56 million in its trademark infringement lawsuit against Molson Coors for its Keystone Light rebrand. Courthouse News Service reporter Bianca Bruno joins the Brewbound team to discuss what it was like inside the courtroom. Plus, Harris Beach partner Brendan Palfreyman returns to discuss the future of the case, if there could be a settlement, what else Stone might seek...

Craig Purser, president and CEO of the National Beer Wholesalers Association, previews his trade organization's agenda for its upcoming Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. Purser breaks down the NBWA's 2022 legislative priorities, discusses the U.S. Treasury Department's report on competition in the alcoholic beverage industry, and shares his thoughts on what will be on beer wholesalers' tr...

Four years after Stone filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Molson Coors over its Keystone Light rebrand, the case has finally reached the courtroom. Harris Beach partner Brendan Palfreyman joins the Brewbound team to discuss the latest developments and discuss why this is the "Super Bowl" of craft beer cases.

The Brewbound team discusses the latest news, including a law making its way through the Utah Legislature that will require several hard seltzer brands to be sold in state-run liquor stores. The team also discusses the launch of Athletic Lite, a 25-calorie non-alcoholic beer, distribution moves in Minnesota and Vermont, and fundraising efforts for Ukraine. Plus, Jess goes to a tap takeover.

In the wake of several brewery closures, Kelly Meyer, host of the How Not to Start a Damn Brewery podcast, discusses his experience with starting and selling a struggling brewery. He also shares insights from other brewery owners who shuttered their businesses. Reporter Kate Bernot also joins the podcast to discuss her story on Modern Times being open to a sale or an investor. Plus, Zoe Licata sha...

What does the Treasury Department's report on competition in the alcohol industry mean for craft brewers? Brewers Association president and CEO Bob Pease shares his thoughts on the report and what comes next. Plus, Jordan Breslauer from social media listening firm Social Standards breaks down the bev-alc chatter around the Super Bowl.

The Brewbound team is joined by Selling Craft Beer's Sean McNulty to discuss several brewery closures, including Modern Times' plans to shutter four locations, the rumored deal between Constellation Brands and energy drink maker Monster, and the Treasury's report on competition in the alcohol industry.