In the full edition of today’s Brewbound Newsletter and at Brewbound.com, Insiders are getting details of mass layoffs at the Mark Anthony’s New Jersey facility and the potential implications of  the job cuts. 

Brewbound Insiders are also reading about:

• A THC-infused beverage category update;
• The death of Spindrift’s crossover hard seltzer;
• Tilray’s quest to avoid a stock delisting;
• The sale price of Stony Creek’s waterfront facility;
• And a crackdown on THC bevs in Kansas.

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

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Rupee Beer founders Van and Sumit Sharma believe they’re ready to meet Indian cuisine’s moment. 

On the latest edition of the Brewbound Podcast, the brothers share their journey of launching the Indian American beer brand during the COVID-19 pandemic as an add-on purchase at their family’s restaurant. Today, Rupee has expanded distribution to 18 states – most recently California – and the Sharmas are readying for an “explosion” of Indian restaurants entering the U.S market. 

Van Sharma said: “Anywhere global flavor, spice, those things hang out, that’s where we’re operating these days. Legacy brands out there definitely paved the way, but we’re doing something a little bit different, which also involves a little bit more of the local, craft American space as well.”

Plus, Justin, Jess and Zoe catch up on the latest headlines, including why it’s not time to panic despite the Gallup survey’s recent results on Americans drinking habits. They give a legal update on Uncle Nearest and the recipe agreement dispute between Schilling Cider and Incline. They also recap recent bev-alc experiences, from a growing dislike for black cherry flavors, to a sweaty trip to the Iowa State Fair

Listen here.

Could Mark Anthony Brands be shuttering its first-ever owned production facility for White Claw, Mike’s Hard Lemonade and Cayman Jack? 

The future of Mark Anthony Brewing’s production facility in Hillside, NJ, is unclear as the company has filed notice that 143 workers will be affected by job cuts this fall. The eliminated roles represent the bulk of the 170-plus jobs at the site, according to the company’s website. 

Insiders can read more about the brewery’s stats and check out recent Mark Anthony scan data. 

Moderating alcohol trends – among other challenges – have claimed the life of Spindrift Spiked, the hard seltzer offering from the NA fruited sparkling water maker.

Spindrift Spiked (4% ABV) launched in 2021 amidst a “then-burgeoning hard seltzer market,” the company noted in a press release.

Insiders can go deeper into hard seltzer’s changing fortunes. 

Editor’s Note: This story was originally published in the BevNET Daily Briefing on August 19. 

If beverage entrepreneurs somehow thought the THC drink business would be more “chill” than the non-infused side, they might soon learn a hard lesson.

There are a couple indicators that suggest we’re in the midst of a transition to a new phase. One in which multi-state operators (MSOs) and large retailers – and a handful of high-performing indie brands – hope they emerge as the big winners.

Insiders can dive deeper here. 

In a tectonic shift in the distribution landscape, Anheuser-Busch InBev (A-B) announced plans to sell its New York wholly owned distributor (WOD) to Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits (SGWS).

Once the transaction closes later this year, SGWS will launch Southern Glazer’s Beverage Company of New York, with a footprint covering Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx – all NYC boroughs except Brooklyn.

Southern Glazer’s will offer A-B’s full product lineup, ranging from beer brands Michelob Ultra, Busch Light, Bud Light and Budweiser, to spirits-based RTD offerings Cutwater Spirits and Nütrl Vodka Seltzer, as well as newly launched energy drink brand Phorm Energy.

Read the full story on Brewbound.com, including commentary from A-B and Southern Glazer’s, details of a move that may have foreshadowed a deeper partnership and other machinations with the WODs.

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Brewbound Live takes place in Marina del Rey, CA on December 10+11, and the official Marriott hotel block is now available. Staying on-site means you’re just steps away from panel discussions, beer tastings, and connection-building with top industry leaders.

Secure your spot early, register now to access the room block and save $100 with early registration.

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Interested in other beverage coverage? 👀 Check out the BevNET Daily Briefing covering the broader beverage industry, including energy drinks, cannabis and other non-alcoholic beverages. Want to stick to the hard stuff? Subscribe to our Spirits Newsletter (published every 2 weeks). 

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