Sometimes demand can tie you down. That’s the case for Von Ebert Brewing, a Portland, OR-based brewpub that has been trying to stay above water with demand for its flagship IPA Volatile Substance for the past 5 years.

But now swimming strongly thanks to a repurposed production space and added capacity, the company can spread its wings and expand its lineup. Brewbound senior reporter Zoe Licata caught up with Von Ebert head brewer Sam Pecoraro right after Brewbound Live concluded last week (literally) to chat about what’s in store. 

In today’s Brewbound Insider Newsletter and on Brewbound.com, Insiders are getting the full scoop, as well as reading about:

• A class action lawsuit filed against PepsiCo and Walmart;
• Inflationary trends from the latest Consumer Price Index;
• Consumers’ Christmas bev-alc purchasing plans;
• The dismissal of a class action complaint against Pabst;
• And BuzzBallz may be shouting “any press is good press” after a recent Late Night feature. 

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Von Ebert Brewing (Portland, OR) has spent the past 5 years playing catch up with demand.

The company began in 2018 as a family-founded brewpub seeking to bring fresh German-inspired beers to the PNW. But in 2020, with the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic and industry shifts to the off-premise, Von Ebert started receiving large orders for its flagship Northwest IPA Volatile Substance.

“And since then, we’ve never caught up,” Von Ebert head brewer Sam Pecoraro told Brewbound. 

But as of August 2025, the brewery has finally caught up, thanks to a new production facility and brewing system. And with the extra breathing room, the brewery is now eyeing how it can strengthen and expand its core lineup beyond Volatile Substance.

The first major move in that strategy: the introduction of Reverse Math West Coast IPA.

Insiders can read more, including why now is the time, how retailers and distributors are responding to the future launch and how Von Ebert’s other core offering Clubhaus is making waves in the on-premise.

Brewbound Live 2025 is in the books! 

On the latest episode of the Brewbound Podcast, Zoe and Jess recap this year’s conference and its palpable positive vibes, as well as the beer industry news that broke last week. 

Then, Karl Strauss Brewing (San Diego, CA) co-founder and CEO Chris Cramer joins Brewbound editor Justin Kendall for this week’s featured interview. The conversation was recorded at the California Craft Beer Summit last month in Irvine, CA, hosted by the CA Craft Brewers Association.

Cramer brought his signature sunny disposition to the chat, and discussed Karl Strauss’s current trends, brewpub traffic and long-running partnership with Disneyland’s California Adventure.

Cramer said: “In general, our industry seems to be outperforming the rest of beverage-alcohol, which is not part of the current narrative. For each of us as craft brewers here in this state, our greatest opportunity is looking into ourselves and seeing what we can authentically own as a brand and communicating that to our consumers and our fans and then helping them share that joy with others.”

He urged CA craft brewers to take pride in the significance they have in the state’s culture and economy, which is a cornerstone for the nation’s craft brewing industry. 

Listen here.

A proposed consumer antitrust class action lawsuit was filed against PepsiCo and Walmart after a now-dismissed Federal Trade Commission (FTC) complaint against them was unsealed.

The class action, filed in a New York federal court by 3 American consumers, alleges that Pepsi violated the Robinson-Patman and Sherman Antitrust acts by agreeing to sell its soft drinks to Walmart at lower prices than it offered to competing retailers.

Insiders can read more here.

After months of outpacing overall inflation, the CPI for bev-alc at home and away was lower than the CPI for all goods at +2.7% YoY in November 2025, according to the latest report from the BLS.

At home and away from home, the CPI for total bev-alc increased 1.9% YoY. Increases in price were driven up in the on-premise, where total alcohol away from home increased 2.6%. Beer away from home recorded the lowest CPI at +1.1%.

The CPI for overall alcohol at home increased 1.9%, offset by beer (+1.7%) and wine (+0.3%). 

Insiders can read more about the November CPI, which did not include MoM data due to the federal government shutdown.

“Barring a drastic change in the last few weeks” of 2025, craft will likely record its 3rd consecutive year of volume declines and 2nd consecutive year in which brewery closings outpaced openings, according to the Brewers Association (BA) in the trade group’s annual Year in Beer report. 

Approximately 9,778 small and independent craft breweries operated in the U.S. in 2025, with 268 breweries opening and 434 breweries closing, according to the BA. 2024 marked the 1st time closings (399) outpaced openings (335).

“While striking in headlines, closings still represent a relatively low percentage (4.4%) of total operating breweries, especially when compared against leisure and hospitality businesses broadly,” the BA wrote. 

Insiders can read more, including craft strategy trends for 2025 and additional comments from Gacioch and BA president and CEO Bart Watson.

Brewbound Live 2025 may be in the books, but we’re already looking ahead. 

Registration is now open for Brewbound Live 2026, taking place in L.A. December 9 & 10. Right now you can save $200 per ticket. This is the lowest pricing of the year and the best way to secure your spot early if Brewbound Live is part of how you plan your year.

More details here.

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