Beer and RTDs don’t have to be enemies, according to Tip Top Proper Cocktails. 

The spirits-based RTD company is collaborating with craft breweries to create beers inspired by Tip Top’s signature cocktails, hoping to illuminate the similarities between them. 

In today’s full version of the Brewbound Newsletter, Insiders are reading more about Tip Top’s collaborations, as well as:

• Getting A Round With Original 40 head brewer Kyle Fjalstad;
• Finding out what’s next for Uncle Nearest after a new judge order;
• Diving into Gallup’s latest poll on consumers’ (declining) drinking habits;
• Reading about a craft brewery merger in Arizona;
• And learning the fate of Brewery Ommegang’s Belgium Comes to Cooperstown beer festival.

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

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Want to encourage craft beer drinkers to pick up a craft RTD cocktail? Try offering more beer.

Now in its 3rd release, Tip Top Proper Cocktails’ Kindred Spirits Series is a first-of-its-kind RTD brand and brewery collaboration that reimagines classic cocktails through the lens of craft beer.

The series pairs the RTD brand’s expertise in cocktail recipes with the creative force of 5 breweries from across the country: WeldWerks Brewing (Greeley, CO), Holy City Brewing (Charleston, SC), Green Cheek Beer Co. (Orange County, CA), Revolution Brewing (Chicago) and Creature Comforts Brewing Co. (Athens, GA). 

Insiders can read more here.

After joining San Diego’s Original 40 Brewing as head brewer earlier this year, Kyle Fjalstad has launched a beer that bridges the gap between Original 40 and the last brewery on his resume, Modern Times. 

Kyle previously ran Modern Times’ famed barrel-aging program, and brought some barrels with him when he moved to Original 40, which were deployed for the brewery’s recent release, Magnetic Ribbon: Final Cut Edition. 

In the latest edition of A Round With – Brewbound’s weekly Q&A with industry leaders exclusively for Insiders – Kyle shares his philosophy on barrel-aging and offers insights on the state of craft in San Diego. (Spoiler alert: West Coast IPAs are back in, over-confident expansion is out.)

Insiders can check out the full conversation. 

Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey will go under the control of a receiver following a lender’s claims that the company was in financial distress, according to a federal judge’s order issued Thursday.

The legal drama emerged when Farm Credit Mid-America, a primary agricultural lender, filed a complaint late last month seeking the emergency appointment of a receiver to take over operations at Nearest Green Distillery, alleging that the company has failed to meet its financial obligations for more than a year, resulting in debts totaling an estimated $100 million.

Insiders can read more here.

The percentage of Americans who say they drink alcoholic beverages has fallen to its lowest point – 54% – in the history of Gallup’s annual survey tracking drinking patterns of adults. 

The firm said the decline comes amid “a growing belief among Americans that moderate alcohol consumption is bad for one’s health, now the majority view for the first time.”

Insiders can read more about the survey’s findings, including data on demographics, gender, race, income and party affiliation, and why Brewers Association CEO Bart Watson says all the data needs to be taken “with a huge grain of salt.”

Representatives of Uncle Nearest were in court last week fighting to retain control of the whiskey brand’s operations as its lender seeks the appointment of a receiver as the company has fallen into default on $108 million in loans.

BevNET spirits editor Ferron Salniker joins the Brewbound Podcast to share the latest on the case, including arguments made in court last week in favor of CEO Fawn Weaver remaining in charge, a gag order on comments to the media and on social channels and the timeline for a judge’s ruling.

Plus, the Brewbound team discusses aluminum can producer Ball Corporation cutting back on beer in its mix, and Boston Beer’s plans to shut down its Truly Hard Seltzer taproom in Los Angeles and sell the Angel City craft beer brand, as well as close its downtown LA taproom. 

Justin, Jess, Zoe and Ferron also play Another Round or Tabbing Out on whether the attention the Spaghett – a bottle of Miller High Life with aperol and lemon juice added – is warranted. 

Listen here or on your preferred podcast platform. 

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.