Colorado’s Wilding Brands continues to wild out on acquisitions in the Centennial State. The craft platform has acquired Upslope Brewing (Boulder, CO), its 3rd in the state this year after Great Divide and Station 26. Insiders are getting details of the deal, including who gets Upslope’s taprooms and where production is heading from Brewbound managing editor Jess Infante.

Insiders are also reading about:

• What’s next for intoxicating hemp after President Trump signed a ban into law;
• How much higher prices for everyday household goods were in October;
• How AleSmith is celebrating the big 3-0;
• Why beer needs to expand its occasions;
• And how Jess fared on a quest for Market Basket Lager.

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Crafted with real raspberries, elderflower, and fresh-pressed Washington apples, Raspberry Blossom delivers a bright, floral profile that stands out on shelves and menus alike. At 8.4% ABV, it’s a premium imperial cider built for winter sales momentum and repeat consumer pull. Learn more

Upslope Brewing (Boulder, CO) is the latest brand to join fast-growing brewery platform Wilding Brands, the companies announced today.

The deal includes Upslope’s full portfolio, such as year-round offerings Citra Pale Ale, Craft Lager, India Pale Ale and West Coast Style IPA, among others. Upslope's taprooms are not included in the acquisition and will remain open, according to the press release. 

Wilding will take over production of Upslope’s beers at its Denver facility. The brewery’s distribution network will not change, a spokesperson told Brewbound. Wilding’s platform has broadened several times already in 2025. In April, it acquired Denver’s Great Divide, including its distribution business and potential future taprooms. In June, it added Denver-based Station 26. Production of both brands shifted to Wilding’s facility.

Insiders can read more about the deal and catch up on Wilding’s wild year.

FMBs and hard seltzers have had a bright red 2025, but those declines haven’t fazed Mark Anthony Brands, which continues to find growth in the segments where others have faltered. 

In this episode of the Brewbound Podcast, Mark Anthony Brands president David Barnett details how the bev-alc company is “doing better than most” in today’s challenged marketplace. He spoke about the company’s highlights with Brewbound editor Justin Kendall, in a conversation recorded at the National Beer Wholesalers Association’s (NBWA’s) Annual Convention in Las Vegas. 

Barnett said the company doesn’t necessarily make business decisions based on what’s happening in scans, but instead focuses on how to strengthen its own portfolio. 

That includes White Claw Hard Seltzer, which now has 67% share of the hard seltzer segment, according to Barnett. Mark Anthony has been able to maintain a dominant share of hard seltzer, and even bring consumers back to White Claw who may have drifted away, due to “the quality of the product in the can,” he said. 

He added: “And staying really consistent. We’ve done some innovation over the years, some have worked, some haven’t, but we’ve got ourselves now in a really … simple focused portfolio strategy on White Claw.” 

Ahead of the conversation, Brewbound senior reporter Zoe Licata chats with BevNET managing editor Marty Caballero about the latest hemp news, and how a spending bill could put a halt to the intoxicating hemp beverage industry.

Listen here or on your podcast platform of choice. 

Even for an industry born out of risk and uncertainty, hemp beverages are now officially in uncharted waters. 

As part of the funding bill to reopen the government signed into law last night by President Donald Trump, hemp-derived products will be required to contain less than 0.4 mg THC per container, as of November 13, 2026. Swept away like a storm in the night, the multi-billion-dollar, hemp-derived THC industry is waking up this morning to the stark reality that, barring the creation of a legal federal framework, they will be virtually extinct within a year. 

Brewbound Insiders can dive deeper into the reactions and what happens next.

Managing a rapidly scaling brewery means juggling production schedules, inventory levels, compliance and financial data. With five taprooms & a central production facility, Topa Topa eliminated the chaos with Crafted ERP. Learn how unified brewery software delivers real-time visibility and control. Learn more

The top growth beer brand in the on- and off-premise right now isn’t an innovation product designed by an R&D team that religiously studies consumer trends. It’s a non-Mexican import that was founded in the 18th century: Diageo-owned Guinness.

Laura Merritt, president of the Diageo Beer Company and Premix for Diageo North America, discussed trends during a fireside chat at Beer Marketer’s Insights’ (BMI) fall seminar Monday in New York City 

Merrit said: “We're the No. 1 growing beer in the on-premise and the-off premise right now, and that growth is coming from all segments.”

Merritt attributed Guinness’ growth to several factors, including the company’s concerted effort to untether the stout from its St. Patrick’s Day shackles, broadening the brand’s consumer base through inclusive content and embracing the drinker-led viral phenomenon of “Splitting the G.” 

Insiders can read more about Guinness’ plans for its campaign and NA offering Guinness Zero, as well as check out an update from sibling brand Smirnoff Ice.

We’re officially 27 days out from Brewbound Live (Dec. 10–11 in L.A.) and the hotel room block is almost full. ⏰🍺

Sampling spots and 1:1 meetings are also being filled quickly. These are some of the most valuable parts of the event for bev-alc professionals, and they don’t stay open for long.

If you’re planning to be in the room with distributors, retailers, operators and category leaders next month, now’s the time to lock it in.

🎟️ Register now: https://www.brewbound.com/events/brewboundlive

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