🍻 A Round With Norwalk Brew House's Ray Ricky Rivera

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Ray Ricky Rivera has a classic craft story: He started as a homebrewer and decided to turn his passion into a business, launching Norwalk Brew House and its flagship beer Bidi Bidi Blonde Blonde Mexican-American ale in early 2022. 

Over the past few years, Norwalk Brew House has existed as a contract-brewed brand, with Ray Ricky hand delivering cases and kegs to accounts across California. 

This month, Ray Ricky announced plans to open a brick-and-mortar location. To support the move, Norwalk Brew House has launched a Indiegogo campaign that will go live August 5 (link to be posted on Norwalk’s social media pages at launch). 

In the latest A Round With – a weekly Q&A feature for Brewbound Insiders – Ray Ricky dishes on Norwalk’s journey so far, how he created a brand and following without a taproom and the lessons he’s learned along the way. 

Insiders can read the full Q&A here. 

Distributor orders increased for the fifth consecutive month in the National Beer Wholesalers Association’s (NBWA) July Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI). The BPI posted a reading of 59, the highest index since 2021.

As a refresher, an index over 50 denotes expansion, below 50 indicates contraction. 

Insiders can read more about July's ordering patterns. 

Ball Corporation’s global beverage can shipments increased +2.8% in the second quarter of 2024, the Denver-headquartered company shared in its Q2 2024 results. 

The world’s largest can manufacturer reported results on the same day as Anheuser-Busch InBev, with both companies now cycling last year’s conservative-led boycott of the Bud Light brand that trickled down from the beer manufacturer to the can producer. 

Insiders can read more about Ball's quarter, including sales and revenue figures and why the company's CEO is optimistic. 

Flow Water and BeatBox Beverages are extending their manufacturing agreement for another year while raising its high minimum total revenue by nearly $100 million, the companies announced in a press release this morning.

The deal is being financed by BeatBox’s commitment to purchase a $2 million convertible note by October 31 secured against the assets of Flow, a publicly traded company on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Insiders can read more about the partnership.

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How is beer doing at the halfway point of 2024? Brewbound reporter Zoe Licata shares highlights from not one, but two mid-year beer reports. Zoe breaks down the Brewers Association’s mid-year craft report, as well as a total beer overview from the National Beer Wholesalers Association and Fintech halfway through 2024. 

Plus, Zoe and Brewbound editor Justin Kendall discuss the latest earnings reports from Boston Beer and Tilray Brands, including nuggets on Twisted Tea and Truly’s hold on Boston’s portfolio and improvements in Shock Top’s trends.

Justin also relays his experience on the Voodoo Ranger pirate ship and spotting Stone Brewing co-founder Greg Koch’s graphic novel at San Diego Comic-Con.

Listen here or on your preferred podcast platform.

Dive into the future of beer and beverage-alcohol at the Brewbound Live Pitch Slam during Brewbound Live, December 11-12 in Marina del Rey, CA. Watch 12 dynamic startups pitch to industry leaders and cheer on 6 finalists competing for a $10,000 ad package. Apply by September 30 to join the excitement—no cost beyond Brewbound Live registration. Early registration pricing is available now!