🍔 Beer to Blame for Pricey BBQs

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The average U.S. consumer will spend $99 on a 10-person barbecue this summer, with a significant portion of that cost coming from bev-alc and soda, according to analysts from Rabobank, a financial services company. 

Analysts dove into BBQ spending habits and inflation during a webinar Wednesday, ahead of next week’s July 4 holiday. 

2024 will likely be the last year that a 10-person BBQ costs less than $100 on average, according to executive director and senior consumer foods analyst Tom Bailey. This year’s costs increased +2% versus 2022.

Insiders can read more, including how beer pricing is causing a generational shift in perception of the category. Plus, how consumers are feeling about the economy overall.

The latest installment of Brewbound’s A Round With – a weekly Insider-exclusive Q&A series with industry leaders – features Caitlin Braam, founder and owner of Yonder Cider and The Source.

Yonder operates two taprooms near Seattle – with a third location on the way – and sources its apples from throughout the Pacific Northwest, where its ciders are available. The company also added distribution in California this year. 

Here’s a snippet of the Q&A:

At industry events, you usually have several Yonder folks in tow. What are the keys to creating and nurturing Yonder’s company/employee culture? 

Caitlin: The core of our culture at Yonder is communication, honesty and respect – being honest about your personal strengths and leaning on your team for theirs. For example, I don’t make cider, so I have built a team of extremely talented cidermakers and production folks. At the same time, they are always ready and willing to work together with me to make all my crazy cider dreams come true. 

We are a diverse group of people with all different backgrounds. Embracing that diversity and recognizing how much stronger it makes us as a company has been a huge part of who we are today as a company. To a point, we’re all learning as we go, so we might as well do it together!

Insiders can read the full Q&A here.

Hey beer friends! It's Jess Infante -- just wanted to remind you that you’re receiving the Lite Edition of the Daily Briefing. The full version is only available to our Insiders and includes direct access to every story on Brewbound.com, as well as exclusive insights from our editorial team that you can’t find on our site.

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Beer is at the top of most Independence Day revelers’ shopping lists, according to market research firm Numerator.

Of the 48% of celebrators who plan to purchase alcohol, 75% plan to buy beer, far outpacing spirits (40%), wine (38%), and ready-to-drink canned cocktails and hard seltzer (35%).

Insiders can read more about geographic differences in drink purchases, Gen Z drinkers' holiday plans and intended retail destinations across all generations.

At Brewbound Live in Marina del Rey, CA on December 11 + 12, beer and beverage-alcohol brands can participate in retailer one-to-ones. Leaders from Whole Foods Market will be available for private, pre-scheduled meetings. Brands will be selected at each retailers’ discretion.

As the world’s leader in natural and organic foods, with a vast network spanning over 500 stores, Whole Foods holds substantial influence in the market. These meetings present a unique opportunity for beer and beverage-alcohol brands aspiring to excel in retail channels focusing on natural and organic products. 

Participating brands can gain invaluable insights and strategic guidance tailored towards facilitating growth within these specialized retail environments.

You must be registered for Brewbound Live to be considered for a retailer meeting. Once you register for the event, you will receive an email with instructions for signing up.

Register for Brewbound Live Winter 2024.