Even the 2nd largest taproom brewery in the country is not immune to the cultural and macroeconomic trends that are plaguing craft in 2025. 

New York’s Other Half Brewing has set its sights on much smaller growth targets this year than the consistent double-digits volume gains of the brewery’s history. Instead of continuing to expand outward, the brewery is now looking inward, focusing on what’s within its control – its portfolio, internal operations and communication with consumers.

Brewbound senior reporter Zoe Licata chatted with Other Half co-founder and CCO Andrew Burman about the brewery’s new strategy and what can be guiding pillars for craft breweries in a time of uncertainty. Insiders are getting the full scoop.

In today’s Brewbound Insider Newsletter and on Brewbound.com, Insiders are also:

• Getting details on Coca-Cola’s bev-alc subsidiary moving its bev-alc partnerships to Sazerac;
• Learning about taproom closures in CA, MA and VT;
• And checking out how Westbound & Down and Mother Road plan to use each of their recently closed $1M+ crowdfunding campaigns.

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

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Other Half Brewing (Brooklyn, NY) is used to large growth targets, posting double-digit volume growth nearly every year since its inception in 2014, according to data from the Brewers Association (BA). 

In 2025, the craft brewery is aiming for more slow and controlled growth, co-founder and chief commercial officer Andrew Burman shared with Brewbound.

Burman said: “We used to be able to rely on a line around the block of 500 people every Saturday – it made life a lot easier. Now it's focusing on how do we make every little thing a little bit better. There's a lot more internal focus than it once was.”

Insiders can read more, including details on how Other Half is tackling beyond beer innovation and communications with consumers, such as social and e-mail marketing. Plus, what recent trend is giving Burman hope for craft’s future.

Sazerac and Red Tree Beverages, Coca Cola’s bev-alc subsidiary, are embarking on a new partnership.

Fresca Mixed, a spirits-based RTD line launched by The Coca-Cola Company and Constellation Brands, as well as Minute Maid Spiked, are moving to Sazerac, Red Tree Beverages announced Tuesday. With the transition, Sazerac will take over a yet-to-launch malt version of Fresca Mixed.

Insiders can read more about Coca-Cola’s bev-alc partnerships and Sazerac’s RTD efforts. 

Antigua Brewing Company (San Luis Obispo, CA) has closed its sole taproom after nearly 4 years in operation, the SLO Tribune reported. 

The shuttering has been characterized as an abrupt move. Visitors reportedly found a note on the front door last week reading: “Closed. Thanks for the memories! Don’t worry, you can still find our delicious beer at your favorite spots throughout SLO County.” 

Additionally, Navigation Brewing has closed its 10-year-old taproom in Lowell, MA, will plans to centralize operations, and Simple Roots Brewing (Burlington, VT) will shut down next month.

Insiders can read more about all 3 breweries here.

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Boston Beer Company is willing to fail fast with new 4th category products in order to find its next big brand, founder and CEO Jim Koch shared during last week’s Barclays’ Global Consumer Staples Conference. 

Koch admitted the company has had “a lot of failures,” joking that he hoped the audience had never heard of discontinued offerings Loma Vista, a tequila-based RTD launched in 2022, or General Admission, a 40% non-alcoholic beer and 60% fruit water released in 2024.

Koch said: “If we do 10 of those and one becomes a 10-million-case, $250-million brand, I’m good with that. We’re kind of built around regular failure as a company.”

Insiders can read more of Koch’s thoughts, including how the company is recouping costs in the business, how Twisted Tea’s pricing got out of whack in some markets and the three Hs troubling the bev-alc industry. 

Brewbound Live, our annual business conference for beverage-alcohol professionals returns to Marina del Rey, California, on December 10 and 11.

Tickets are available now for the 2-day gathering of founders, entrepreneurs, c-suite executives, retailers, distributors and suppliers from across the industry. The event will include on-stage conversations with industry leaders, networking and pre-arranged one-to-one conversations with retailers and distributors.

Several speakers and one-to-one participants have been announced, with more on the way. 

Register for Brewbound Live 2025 >>

Brewbound Live is presented by Powered by Sorse, Fast Track Packaging, Strike Visuals, John I. Haas, Can-One, and Tripleseat Software LLC. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for those seeking to elevate their presence beyond participation.

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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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