The Brewbound team rounds up the latest news heading into the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, including Allagash's 2023 plans, layoffs at Odell Brewing, Molson Coors exiting a pair of partnerships, and much more. 

Editor's Note: This episode was recorded before it was widely known that Atrevida Beer Co. co-founder Rich Fierro was the person who helped subdue the shooter at Club Q mass shooting that left five people dead and 19 injured in Colorado Springs, Colorado. We send our deepest condolences to the Fierro family as they recover from injuries sustained in the shooting and mourn the loss of daughter Kassy's boyfriend Raymond Green Vance, as well as the families of other victims.

Nearly four months after the sale of Stone Brewing to Sapporo closed, Stone CEO Maria Stipp shares how the integration process has progressed, when the first Sapporo beers produced at Stone will hit the market, Stone's dip into spirit-based canned cocktails, and what's next in 2023.

Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) has taken a minority stake in non-alcoholic beer maker Athletic Brewing Company, following a $50 million investment in the brand. Athletic co-founder Bill Shufelt shares why KDP was the right partner, what the investment will go toward, and how the company is pacing toward the end of 2022.

Following the Winking Lizard Tavern's annual announcement of its beer menu for 2023, founder John Lane shares how the event shook out, who left the day happiest, the one beer that is untouchable on the Winking Lizard's menus, the inflationary pressures on draft beer, changes to its Tour of Beers program and much more.

Chicago brewery incubator Pilot Project recently acquired the former Milwaukee Brewing Company (MKE) facility in Wisconsin. Pilot Project's Dan Abel and Glenn Allen share their plans for the production facility and how the expansion will affect the bev-alc producers they work with and open the door to additional suppliers.

National accounts managers from Odell Brewing, Athletic Brewing, Dry Dock Brewing and JuneShine share how they've built their teams and grown sales through chains. This conversation took place in Denver during a live Brew Talks event prior to the Great American Beer Festival.

How do you innovate at scale beyond the IPA juggernaut? With the various IPA substyles accounting for nearly half of off-premise craft beer sales, leaders from Dogfish Head, Sierra Nevada, Atrevida Beer Co. and 3 Tier Beverages explore where the opportunities for growth are in other beer styles and how they're building their product mix during a Brew Talks conversation in Denver. Plus, we break some news.

Ahead of several industry gatherings in the Windy City, Chicago Brewseum executive director Liz Garibay discusses the importance of preserving beer and bar history and how the stories in those spaces are really oral histories of neighborhoods and cities. Plus, the Brewbound team discusses Reyes' Texas acquisition and New Belgium's next Voodoo Ranger Juice Force beer.

The Great American Beer Festival returns October 6-8 in Denver for the first time since 2019. Brewers Association president and CEO Bob Pease discusses his expectations for the trade group's biggest consumer-facing event, how the experience is different in 2022, the year in craft beer so far, supply chain headaches, and much more.

The California Craft Brewers Association's Lori Ajax and Chris Walker discuss a pair of bills awaiting the governor's signature that would benefit the state's craft brewers. Those bills -- expanding the number of satellite locations and bonafide eating places, and adding on-sale privileges -- were among the CCBA's priorities this year. Ajax and Walker also dish on middle tier consolidation, direct-to-consumer sales, supply chain issues and much more.

In this episode of the Brewbound podcast, host Ray Latif sits down with Kyle Kensrue, Account Executive at Ollie. With extensive experience in the brewing industry, Kyle shares his journey from managing breweries in New York City to his current role at Ollie, a software platform designed to support brewers. He highlights how Ollie, built by brewers for brewers, helps alleviate administrative burdens, streamline processes, and provide crucial insights into cost management and reporting.

Kyle discusses the evolving brewing industry and the importance of being nimble, particularly in response to challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, rising costs, and competitive market pressures. He shares personal anecdotes about the necessity of pivoting to new packaging formats and the value of having robust, flexible software to manage these changes effectively.

Ray and Kyle also touch on the broader theme of transforming a passion for brewing into a sustainable business. Kyle emphasizes the critical role Ollie plays in helping breweries not just produce great beer, but also operate efficiently and profitably.

For brewers looking to optimize their operations and stay ahead in a dynamic industry, this conversation provides valuable insights and practical advice. To learn more about Ollie and connect with Kyle, visit getollie.com or email them at sales@getollie.com

The Brewbound team discusses the closure of TRU Colors, the craft brewery that hired rival gang members to work together but whose mission was marred by violence. The team also looks at two big distribution deals, including Reyes entering its 10th market, and Allagash's future plans to move its taproom.

New Yorker staff writer Charles Bethea discusses his story on TRU Colors in Wilmington, North Carolina, A Brewery's Anti-Violence Mission, Complicated by a Killing. 

Bethea does a deep dive into TRU Colors' stated mission to end gang violence by hiring rival gang members to work together and how the company struggles to balance those efforts with its for-profit mission to first sell beer. TRU Colors' mission was further complicated by a double homicide at the home of George Taylor's son, George Taylor III, that led to charges against three individuals.

In this Brew Talks replay, Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head, Dan Kenary of Harpoon's parent company Mass. Bay Brewing and Suzanne Schalow of Craft Beer Cellar share their views on the evolution of the beer category with the addition of fourth category offerings such as hard seltzers, spirits-based canned cocktails, hard kombuchas, hard teas and more.

Plus, the Brewbound team discusses the results of the Brewers Association's latest Harris Poll consumer survey, the growth of Big Grove Brewery in Iowa, Twisted Tea's importance to Boston Beer and Labor Day plans.

The supply of CO2 is tightening in the U.S. What's it mean for craft brewers? Dorchester Brewing director of operations James Haugh and Earthly Labs CEO Amy George join the Brewbound Podcast to discuss the situation and alternatives available to brewers.

Plus, the Brewbound team dives into the latest news, including MIkkeller shuttering its U.S. brewing operations and returning to contract brewing, the booming growth of New Belgium's Juice Force IPA, Allagash adding a year-round IPA to its portfolio, and beer industry vet Neal Stewart's essay on the mental health challenges facing many workers in the beer business.

Paul Weaver, Boston Beer's head of cannabis, discusses the Truly Hard Seltzer and Twisted Tea maker's foray into cannabis-infused beverages in Canada. Weaver shares why tea was the perfect vehicle for a THC-infused drink, how the July launch of Teapot has gone and how the narrative of cannabis stealing occasions from beer has changed.

This week's Brewbound Podcast features a replay of a Brew Talks conversation on strategies for expanding taproom and retail outlets, featuring leaders from White Lion, Medusa Brewing, Castle Island and Boston Beer Company.

Plus, the Brewbound team reunites to discuss New Belgium's Voodoo Ranger amusement park hoax and trolling of wine country; Ball closing two can manufacturing plants and blaming customer price increases for a lack of growth; the shaky Hard MTN Dew rollout; and Boulevard's Quirk Hard Seltzer sampling boat.

National Beer Wholesalers Association chief economist Lester Jones joins the Brewbound Podcast to explain why he's bullish on the beer category despite the current economic climate. Plus, Jess and Justin discuss a nightmarish week, recap Brew Talks, and break down the latest headlines, including Night Shift's CO2 woes, the last gasp of Stone and Molson Coors' legal fight, Maui's plans to acquire Modern Times and more.

Bump Williams Consulting's Dave Williams and Brian "BK" Krueger break down craft's performance at the halfway point of 2022 and the opportunities available to suppliers. Plus, the Brewbound team talks Boston Beer's Truly tough Q2, wholesaler grievances and more.

Simply Spiked – the hard lemonade Molson Coors launched this summer in partnership with Coca-Cola – has taken the FMB corner of the bev-alc world by storm. Joy Ghosh, VP of marketing for above premium brands and FMBs at Molson Coors, joins the Brewbound Podcast to discuss the company's launch strategy, new campaigns and plans to recruit new drinkers. Plus, the Brewbound team breaks down July 4 off-premise sales and craft beer at the midpoint of 2022.

As Garden State regulators move to enforce strict limitations of brewery taproom events, Brewers Guild of New Jersey executive director Eric Orlando and Jersey City-based Departed Soles Brewing owner Brian Kulbacki join the Brewbound Podcast to discuss the fallout. Plus, the team talks about Molson Coors' Simply Spiked, the latest Modern Times auction developments, and more.

The Brewbound team regroups after the July 4 holiday weekend to discuss the potential sale of Melvin Brewing, the success of Russian River's Pliny the Younger release, the death of Boston Beer's Long Drink wannabe Bevy, early read Fourth numbers from Drizly and much more.

The Brewbound team discusses the pending sale of Stone Brewing to Sapporo and the auction sale of Modern Times to an affiliate of Brewery X. This week's featured guest is Courtney Simmons, diversity, equity and inclusion director for New Belgium and Bell's.

Modern Times finally hit the auction block, but the winning bid of $20 million from an affiliate of Anaheim, California-based Brewery X has been disputed by MTD Asset Acquisition. The Brewbound team also discusses developments in the trademark infringement lawsuit between Stone and Molson Coors and Mass. Bay Brewing's acquisition of Long Trail Brewing.

Leaders of Chicago-based Moor's Brewing Company share how their participation in a residency program for Black-owned breweries at Haymarket Brewing helped grow their fledgling business. This conversation took place during the first Brew Talks meetup of 2022 in Minneapolis during the Craft Brewers Conference.

Isaac Arthur and Cody Fague, the founders of Indianapolis-headquartered CODO Design, break down the beer branding trends to watch in 2022 and beyond, following the release of their annual branding trends review.

The Worldwide Brewing Alliance represents more than 80% of the world's beer production. President and CEO Justin Kissinger and advisor Dan Kopman join the Brewbound Podcast to discuss the global trade group's mission, as well as the challenges facing the beer category, which has lost 12% share of total ethanol to spirits over the last two decades.

Following the Brewers Association's annual Craft Brewers Conference, general counsel Marc Sorini and federal affairs director Katie Marisic join the Brewbound Podcast to discuss the trade group's legislative agenda and what's on the regulatory horizon for the craft beer industry.

Molson Coors appointed Jeff Agase to lead its craft beer division, Tenth & Blake, on May 11. Agase joins the Brewbound Podcast to share his vision for the division, where it fits within Molson Coors' premiumization efforts, and how the company views M&A.

The Brewbound team recaps the 2022 Craft Brewers Conference and shares their big takeaways from the gathering of 10,000 beer industry professionals in Minneapolis. Justin, Jess and Zoe discuss the push on direct-to-consumer sales, brewery cultures and the overarching themes of positivity and back-to-business mentality of the show.

How can festivals make the beer community more welcoming to people who often don't see themselves reflected in it? Barrel and Flow co-founder Day Bracey and Grace Weitz, founder of Beers With(out) Beards and the Queer Beer Festival, join the Brewbound team to discuss how their festivals offer inviting experiences to beer drinkers who buck the conventional stereotype of white, bearded, flannel-wearing men.

In this Brewbound Podcast interview, Ray Latif sits down with Nate Armbrust, a key figure at Scott Labs, to discuss the company's long-standing support for brewers and its role in the evolving beverage industry. Nate provides a detailed history of Scott Labs, which began as a yeast laboratory in Petaluma, California, 90 years ago. Originally serving the wine industry, Scott Labs has since expanded its expertise to include a wide range of beverages, focusing on stability and quality.

Nate explains how Scott Labs assists brewers in navigating the challenges of producing alternative beverages such as non-alcoholic beer, RTD cocktails, and flavored malt beverages. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the unique stability requirements of these beverages, especially when incorporating ingredients like fruit juices that introduce fermentable sugars. Scott Labs offers solutions like Valkrin, a stabilization method that can sometimes replace tunnel pasteurization, addressing the needs of producers who face limitations in space and capital.

Nate also discusses how Scott Labs helps brewers meet consumer demands for clean label products while ensuring beverage stability. He highlights the company's comprehensive approach to evaluating and stabilizing beverages, utilizing various methods including preservatives, pasteurization, and their proprietary products.

Listeners interested in learning more about Scott Labs' services and products can easily connect through their website, ScottLab.com, where a contact form is available for inquiries.

Leaders within the craft cider industry break scan data misconceptions and share how regional cideries are growing in 2022. American Cider Association executive director Michelle McGrath, Schilling Cider co-founder and CEO Colin Schilling, Swilled Dog Hard Cider & Spirits co-founder and CEO Brooke Glover, and ANXO Cider co-founder and president Sam Fitz discuss the state of the industry, convergence trends, retail gains and much more. This interview was originally released as an exclusive to Brewbound Insiders, as part of the Frontlines video series.

Also in this episode, the Brewbound team counts down to the Craft Brewers Conference, discusses Truly Vodka Seltzer, and bids farewell to Beer Institute president and CEO Jim McGreevy.

WWE legend "Stone Cold' Steve Austin and El Segundo Brewing Company leaders Rob Croxall and Tom Kelley share how their partnership on the Broken Skull line of beers works, the bump the beers received following this year's WrestleMania, why their collaboration feels organic and the future of the brand.

Modern Times is on the edge of entering receivership to begin a court-ordered sale process. Jack O'Connor, a partner with Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Helsinger in Chicago, joins the Brewbound Podcast to explain the process. The Brewbound team also discusses the latest news, including the latest Stone legal wranglings, CBC and more.

The Brewbound team reunites with Rich Bloomfield, Greg Williams and Zach Day, co-founders of Chicago-based Funkytown Brewery. Funkytown's founders discussed what they've been up to since winning the Brewbound Live 2021 Pitch Slam competition, what they've learned about the brewing industry since launching last year, and the roadblocks they've faced trying to bring craft beer to underserved communities in Chicago.

A jury awarded Stone Brewing $56 million in its trademark infringement lawsuit against Molson Coors for its Keystone Light rebrand. Courthouse News Service reporter Bianca Bruno joins the Brewbound team to discuss what it was like inside the courtroom. Plus, Harris Beach partner Brendan Palfreyman returns to discuss the future of the case, if there could be a settlement, what else Stone might seek from Molson Coors, and actions Molson Coors might take.

Craig Purser, president and CEO of the National Beer Wholesalers Association, previews his trade organization's agenda for its upcoming Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. Purser breaks down the NBWA's 2022 legislative priorities, discusses the U.S. Treasury Department's report on competition in the alcoholic beverage industry, and shares his thoughts on what will be on beer wholesalers' trucks in the next five years.

Four years after Stone filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Molson Coors over its Keystone Light rebrand, the case has finally reached the courtroom. Harris Beach partner Brendan Palfreyman joins the Brewbound team to discuss the latest developments and discuss why this is the "Super Bowl" of craft beer cases.

The Brewbound team discusses the latest news, including a law making its way through the Utah Legislature that will require several hard seltzer brands to be sold in state-run liquor stores. The team also discusses the launch of Athletic Lite, a 25-calorie non-alcoholic beer, distribution moves in Minnesota and Vermont, and fundraising efforts for Ukraine. Plus, Jess goes to a tap takeover.

In the wake of several brewery closures, Kelly Meyer, host of the How Not to Start a Damn Brewery podcast, discusses his experience with starting and selling a struggling brewery. He also shares insights from other brewery owners who shuttered their businesses. Reporter Kate Bernot also joins the podcast to discuss her story on Modern Times being open to a sale or an investor. Plus, Zoe Licata shares her Hard MTN Dew field research study.

What does the Treasury Department's report on competition in the alcohol industry mean for craft brewers? Brewers Association president and CEO Bob Pease shares his thoughts on the report and what comes next. Plus, Jordan Breslauer from social media listening firm Social Standards breaks down the bev-alc chatter around the Super Bowl.

The Brewbound team is joined by Selling Craft Beer's Sean McNulty to discuss several brewery closures, including Modern Times' plans to shutter four locations, the rumored deal between Constellation Brands and energy drink maker Monster, and the Treasury's report on competition in the alcohol industry.

Convergence is all the rage as big beverage companies (Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Monster) dive into bev-alc and lean into becoming "total beverage" producers. Nik Modi, managing director for RBC Capital, and Marty Caballero, editor for BevNet (Brewbound's sister publication), join the Brewbound team to discuss the latest beverage partnerships, what has caused the trend, and if a "complete collapse" of the lines between bev-alc and non-alc is ahead.

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau is scrutinizing sports sponsorships struck by bev-alc producers and distributors. How can brewers play in this space without running afoul of the government agency? McDermott Will & Emery's Alva Mather and Nichole Shustack offer their opinions on the Brewbound Podcast.