🍻 Grabbing A Round With Craft 'Ohana's Scott Metzger

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We loved showing this amazing skateboard off at CBC and wanted to give people who didn't attend a chance to win it! This limited-edition skateboard would look dope on you taproom wall or cruising around the brewhouse. Enter to win today! Learn more

On the heels of the 2024 Craft Brewers Conference (CBC), Brewbound caught up with Craft ’Ohana president and COO Scott Metzger for our weekly Insider-exclusive A Round With Q&A series.

Metzger shook up CBC with a real talk chat titled “Your Brewery Is a Business, Not a Hobby.” Metzger discusses the talk, the path forward for craft brewers and how Craft ‘Ohana brands Maui Brewing and Modern Times are performing. 

Here are excerpts from our Q&A.

The vibe of CBC was much more positive even with the dose of realism. What was your biggest takeaway from this year’s event?

Scott: I was encouraged by the level of “seriousness” I witnessed at this year’s event, which is not an easy thing to do in Las Vegas. That isn’t to say no one was having fun, but there just seemed to be an underlying tone that a greater level of effort and care was required in our industry and in our businesses … that the tide wasn’t able to lift all boats anymore.

Insiders can read more, including how Metzger sees Maui and Modern Times earning their place with consumers, wins Craft ‘Ohana is seeing, the challenges the platform is facing and more.

Monster Beverage Corporation CEO Rodney Sacks laid out a likely succession plan Thursday that will eventually see co-CEO Hilton Schlosberg taking over the role entirely, as Sacks is “considering” reducing his day-to-day duties sometime next year.

Sacks said he is “considering” reducing his responsibilities at Monster beginning in 2025, “while continuing to manage certain areas of the company’s business for which I’ve always been responsible.” 

Brewbound Insiders can read more about the succession plan.

The first round of interviews from the Brewbound Podcast On Location at the Craft Brewers Conference (CBC) in Las Vegas are here. 

Breeze Galindo, the director of operations on the Michael J Jackson Foundation for Brewing and Distilling, discusses the foundation’s work, evolution and scholarship awards for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color professionals in the bev-alc industry. Galindo also dishes on her brewery in-planning, MiLuna Brewing Company, which she will open in New York.

Then, Icicle Brewing founder Pam Brulotte chats about her journey into the brewing industry, being married to a hop farmer and starting a brewery in Leavenworth, Washington. She also discusses her work with the Brewers Association (BA), including co-chairing the trade group’s diversity, equity and inclusion committee. 

Plus, Jess, Justin and Zoe recap Day 2 of CBC, including BA chief economist and VP of strategy Bart Watson’s state of the industry speech. 

Listen here or on your podcast platform of choice.

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The Brewbound Live business conference returns December 11 and 12 in Marina del Rey, California.

Brewbound Live will feature beverage-alcohol industry leaders taking part in business-focused conversations, data presentations, networking and much more across two days at the Marina del Rey Marriott.

Brewbound announced the first speakers for this year’s conference. They include:

• Russian River co-owner Natalie Cilurzo;
• Deschutes Brewery CEO Peter Skrbek;
• National Beer Wholesalers Association chief economist and VP of analytics Lester Jones;
• Draftline Technologies founder and president Jennifer Hauke.

Additional speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.

Register for Brewbound Live 2024.

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.