😎 Can Beer Get One Last Summer Boost?

Brewbound Insiders are diving into Numerator’s Labor Day data, including how consumer bev-alc purchasing behaviors differ regionally and generationally. 

Insiders are also:

• Getting details on BuzzBallz’s move to Reyes in four states;
• Learning about a brewery closing in Delaware;
• Checking out the latest craft beer flagship to get a non-alc companion;
• Seeing which craft brewery got some free exposure during Monday’s Red Sox game.

Insiders also have access to the Brewbound Newsletter Archive, including previous newsletter-exclusive Insider content.

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Beer is expected to be the most popular alcoholic beverage at Labor Day weekend celebrations, as 76% of shoppers said they plan to purchase it, according to consumer research firm Numerator.

Of the 67% of consumers who plan to celebrate the unofficial end of summer, 52% plan to purchase bev-alc offerings for their parties, and more than three-quarters of them say they’ll buy beer, followed by spirits or spirits-based drinks (40%), wine (39%) and hard seltzers or canned cocktails (39%), Numerator reported.

Labor Day, one of three major beer-centric holidays of the summer after Memorial Day and July 4, was the third-largest week for beer sales in 2023, with volume increasing +26% compared to an average week, according to Beer Institute (BI) chief economist Andrew Heritage. 

Insiders can read more here, including where consumers plan to shop and which consumers are more likely to choose beer for their celebrations.

What legal issues should be on brewers’ radar? Nichole Shustack and Isabelle Cunningham from the bev-alcohol practice team at law firm Nutter, McClennen and Fish join the Brewbound Podcast to share what to watch out for this year and beyond.

The team discusses the impact of non-alcoholic brands crossing over into bev-alc, direct-to-consumer sales, potential regulations on adult non-alcoholic beverages and other state legal updates. 

Plus, the Brewbound team reconvenes to break down the latest headlines, including Colorado’s Left Hand Brewing’s efforts to raise money for a brewery platform, another sale of San Francisco’s Magnolia Brewing and BeatBox Beverages’ big deal with Shaquille O’Neal. 

Listen here or on your preferred podcast platform. 

Sazerac-owned BuzzBallz has selected the Reyes Beverage Group as its distributor in California, Illinois, Indiana and South Carolina, the multistate wholesaler announced today.

Spirits giant Sazerac acquired the orb-shaped, ready-to-drink (RTD) brand earlier this year. BuzzBallz is available with spirits, malt and wine bases, which allows the brand to be sold in a variety of retail channels.

Brewbound announced the addition of several new speakers for its Brewbound Live business conference December 11 and 12 in Marina del Rey, California.

The two-day conference will bring together leaders from all three tiers for business-focused conversations on driving the bev-alc industry forward, data presentations, networking and brand building at the Marina del Rey Marriott.

Joining the speaker roster are:

• Rebecca Maisel, Gulf Distributing SVP legal and government affairs;
• Lauren Doll-Sheeder, Doll Distributing managing partner;
• Jennifer Grant, Markstein Sales general manager and VP;
• Zech Francis, BeatBox Beverages SVP of global marketing;
• Rebecca Dye Yonushonis, New Belgium Brewing CMO;
• Lindsay Kunkle, Foresight Factory director, head of U.S. Consultancy.

They join a growing speaker roster that includes:

• Arthur Moye, owner and CEO of Full Circle Brewing;
• Kaleigh Theriault, director of thought leadership, beverage alcohol vertical, NIQ;
• Brian “BK” Krueger, VP of business development and portfolio strategies, Bump Williams Consulting;
• Natalie Cilurzo, co-owner, Russian River Brewing;
• Peter Skrbek, CEO, Deschutes Brewery;
• Lester Jones, chief economist and VP of analytics, National Beer Wholesalers Association;
• Jennifer Hauke, founder and president, Draftline Technologies.

Additional speakers will be announced in the coming weeks. Interested in speaking? Follow this link to see our speaker guidelines.

In addition to the mainstage programming and networking parties, Brewbound Live will feature opportunities for one-to-one conversations between brewers and bev-alc brands and retail buyers from chains such as Whole Foods Market and ExtraMile Convenience Stores. Registered attendees will be considered for meetings with buyers, as space is limited. Find out more details here.

Register for Brewbound Live >>

Brewbound Live is sponsored by John I. Haas, NIQ, Crafted ERP, Strike Visuals, Fast Track Packaging and Abstrax Hops.

The Brewbound team is hosting a free beer industry happy hour on Sunday, September 29 from 4 to 6 p.m. PT at The Church by The Lost Abbey in San Diego! Kick off NBWA with us in downtown San Diego with industry networking, Lost Abbey beers and light appetizers.

Industry professionals within the beer and beyond industries are invited to attend the free happy hour. Prior registration is required.

Here are the details:

Date: Sunday, September 29, 2024 

Time: 4–6 p.m. PT

Location: The Church by The Lost Abbey (1313 J St, San Diego, CA 92101)

Learn More + Register for Free >>

Headed to NBWA that week? The Brewbound Podcast hosts, Jess, Justin, and Zoe, will be recording podcast interviews on the show floor. Visit our Brewbound Podcast studio located in the Product Showcase area for a unique opportunity to connect with our Brewbound team in-person as they discuss the latest trends, industry insights, and interview key players in the world of brewing.

Want to schedule some time to chat during the show? Email us at [email protected].