Brewbound Podcast

On the second episode of the revamped Brewbound Podcast, a panel of three expert guests discuss hard seltzer introductions from Michelob Ultra, Topo Chico and others, as well as the recently completed acquisition of Craft Brew Alliance by Anheuser-Busch.

On the first episode of the revamped Brewbound Podcast, Tomme Arthur of The Lost Abbey, Caitlin Braam of Yonder Cider and Bourcard Nesin of Rabobank discuss recent beer industry news stories, including the joint venture between Molson Coors and Yuengling, the DOJ’s approval of the merger between Anheuser-Busch InBev and Craft Brew Alliance, a study that found the beer industry could shed 651,000 jobs by year’s end due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the staying power of e-commerce sales.

Nearly six months after the pandemic upended the beer industry, leaders from the three major beer industry trade organizations discuss how the industry is meeting challenges presented by the novel coronavirus, efforts to provide brewers with relief, the industry’s legislative priorities, and much more.

Leaders from Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Russian River Brewing Company, Green Bench Brewing Co. and Hopewell Brewing Co. share how their breweries have operated since the COVID-19 pandemic upended the beer industry in mid-March.

Dealmakers from Arlington Capital Advisors, Cascadia Capital, Cowen and Company, and Farlie, Turner & Co. discuss the influence of private equity money on the craft brewing industry and the current state of M&A activity in the brewing space.

Fresh Fest co-founder Day Bracey joins to discuss the beer festival showcasing Black-owned breweries, and industry professionals share taproom staff management best practices.

The leaders of Ballast Point Brewing discuss their journey from running small upstart craft brewery Kings & Convicts, to making one of the biggest acquisitions of 2019. CEO Brendan Watters and COO Chris Bradley shared the challenges they faced as they were handed the keys to Ballast Point from Constellation Brands just two days before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down on-premise establishments nationwide, including Ballast Point’s six retail locations across California and Illinois.

Danelle Kosmal, VP of Beverage Alcohol Practice at Nielsen, analyzes hard seltzer sales trends during the coronavirus pandemic, and leaders from hard seltzer brands Press, Nauti and Bubs discuss how their regional and national brands are competing in the fast-growing segment.

Brewing education is expensive, and it’s often difficult for entrepreneurs who are Black, indigenous and people of color to secure capital. These hurdles often keep women and people of color out of beer, an industry that’s long been dominated by white men. This week’s panelists are working to provide scholarships, hands-on experience or business loans to people who want to enter the beer industry.

Border X Brewing co-owners David and Carmen Favela and Mujeres Brew Club co-founder Esthela Davila discuss the upcoming Mujeres Brew House, a taproom and community space for women in San Diego to learn about brewing and the beer industry. Dan Kopman, the CEO of Maryland-based Heavy Seas, discusses the current state of the beer industry and the regulatory assistance needed to help craft brewers get back on their feet.

Legal experts Nichole Shustack of McDermott, Will & Emery and Shauna Barnes of Kaleo Legal joined Brewbound Frontlines to discuss recent privileges extended to brewers and retailers during the COVID-19 pandemic and the finer points of operating within the three-tier system. Jim Peters, director of the Responsible Hospitality Institute, discussed expansion of open container policies to create social districts, which allow people to patronize bars and restaurants safely.

Leaders of Massachusetts craft breweries Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers, Wormtown Brewery, Castle Island Brewing and Vitamin Sea Brewing discuss their 2019 volume growth and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation turned to the measure of success in the volume growth-obsessed craft beer industry. Panelists discussed what indicators they check to measure the health of their companies, such as product quality, brand loyalty and quality of life for employees.

Weathered Souls Brewing co-founder Marcus Baskerville and marketing and sales manager Kimberly Machado discuss the Black is Beautiful collaboration, which aims to raise money and awareness to end police brutality and racism. So far, 635 breweries have signed up to participate.

Brewers Association chief economist Bart Watson and National Beer Wholesalers Association chief economist Lester Jones discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected consumers’ beer-buying patterns, what the road back might look like for the beer industry and what’s needed in the interim as breweries attempt to recoup losses from a shuttered on-premise channel.

In Episode 21 of the Brewbound Podcasts’s third season, leaders of Stone Brewing, Rogue Ales & Spirits and Revolution Brewing discuss how their companies are navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. Stone Brewing CEO Dominic Engels, Rogue Ales & Spirits president Dharma Tamm and Revolution Brewing CFO Doug Veliky share updates on their breweries’ business, how they’ve pivoted and what they’re doing to maintain employee culture.