🍻 Sierra Nevada Makes a Big Promotion

Sierra Nevada is promoting from within for its next chief commercial officer. VP of sales Ellie Preslar is taking over the spot vacated by Joe Whitney last year. Insiders are reading about the move, as well as another promotion at the Chico, California-headquartered craft brewery.

Brewbound Insiders are also:

• Reading about layoffs at ACE Cider owner Vintage Wine Estates;
• Seeing the results of the Foxtrot auction;
• Finding out who Karl Strauss Distributing is adding to its portfolio;
• Reviewing recent RTD distribution moves;
• And diving into weekly Circana scans.

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Sierra Nevada VP of sales Ellie Preslar has been promoted to chief commercial officer of the California-based craft brewery. 

Preslar fills the position left vacant by the retirement of Joe Whitney in October, after 17 years at Sierra Nevada. Preslar will be responsible for overseeing “all commercial operations, including sales and marketing,” as well as “certain elements of Sierra Nevada’s newly commissioned [CanDo] co-packing facility,” according to a press release. 

Insiders can read more, including recent production and scan data for Sierra Nevada, and details on the company’s search for a new brand director. 

The future of Foxtrot is once again in question after assets belonging to the shuttered grocery chain were acquired by Further Point Enterprises via auction for $2.2 million, according to a report from Crain’s Chicago Business.

The auction was conducted by JPMorgan Chase Bank, a debtor of Foxtrot, via Microsoft Teams. Assets belonging to Dom’s Kitchen and Market were also put up for bid but were not sold.

The fast-delivery, upscale convenience chain abruptly shut down in April.

Insiders can go deeper into the recent changes and how its impacted brands. 

Spirits editor Ferron Salniker rounded up recent spirits distribution moves, including Berczy getting in on the hard tea race and ready-to-drink cocktail (RTD) brands Tequio and DIO signing deals with new distributors.

UK-based Berczy is bringing its vodka iced tea to the Northeast, just as leaders like Surfside expand their territory and other newcomers ride the hard tea wave.

Insiders can read more, including details on the latest distribution moves from RTD brands DIO and Tequio.

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.