Brewbound Insiders have had their pre-CBC homework done for them, with a roundup of relevant reading material and list of can’t-miss educational sessions during next week’s conference. 

If you’ll be in Philadelphia, it’s not too late to RSVP for our networking happy hour from 5-7 p.m. on Sunday at Love City Brewing. In addition to attending sessions, the Brewbound crew will be at booth 956 all week, so come say hi.

In addition to CBC prep, Brewbound Insiders are getting all the details on the latest news on Brewbound.com and in the Brewbound Insiders Newsletter, including:

• 21st Amendment’s return to distro after Evil Genius acquires the brand;

• BERO’s expansion to Walmart, Kroger and Publix;

• Layoffs at Trumer’s Berkeley, CA brewery;

• New RTDs from SunnyD, Vodkade and more.

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

Become a Brewbound Insider today!

Or, be in the know on all food and beverage news from Brewbound, BevNET and NOSH with Insider All Access.

A full rotary system allows a smooth, continuous motion transition from filling to seaming, eliminating unnecessary agitation and CO2 loss. Achieve the speeds you need, in a footprint that fits, available in 12/3, 16/4, and 24/4 filling valve/seaming spindle combinations, for speeds up to 250 CPM! Learn more

Headed to Philadelphia in the next few days for the 2026 Craft Brewers Conference (CBC)?

We’ve compiled a list of the top Brewbound stories and podcast episodes attendees should revisit ahead of the Brewers Association’s (BA) big event, helping folks prepare for several days of networking, education sessions and of course, beer.

So settle into your plane, train or automobile ride and check out our primer – follow the links for deeper reading (and listening).

Check out the full list

With CBC just days away, Brewbound compiled a list of the top educational sessions you’ll want to add to your calendars. 

Beyond the main stage presentations, there are plenty of educational sessions that should be on your radar, from taproom profitability to effective marketing to scaling for distributing and winning in chains. We’ve listed 10 sessions that caught our attention.

Go deeper

Start your CBC week with the Brewbound team and industry peers at Love City Brewing.

We are excited to host a networking happy hour next week, from 5-7 p.m. on Sunday, April 19, at Love City’s Callowhill taproom, a short walk from the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

The event offers an opportunity for brewers, leaders, suppliers and other industry professionals to connect ahead of a busy week of educational sessions and visits to the trade show.

During the gathering, Brewers of Pennsylvania executive director Hannah Ison will share insights from the guild’s efforts to support and advocate for Keystone State craft brewers this year.

Learn more

Philadelphia’s Evil Genius Beer Co. has acquired the 21st Amendment (21A) brand, reviving its offerings after the 25-year-old San Francisco brewery shut down last year. 

Evil Genius is bringing back 21A’s core brands to distribution in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest. 

Keep reading

NA beer brand BERO has secured placements at major off-premise retailers, giving it nationwide presence at brick-and-mortar stores. 

BERO, which was co-founded by A-list actor Tom Holland and CEO John Herman, has rolled out at Kroger, Publix and Walmart, the company announced.

Read more

Several companies have rolled out new RTDs ahead of the summer selling season. 

The team at Brewbound’s sibling publication BevNET have rounded up a handful of the new items hitting shelves, including offerings from SunnyD, Vodkade, Daily's and more.

Check them out

Ikasu Brewing founder Masahiro “Masa” Kitano believes his L.A.-based, contract-brewed brand has found its niche, leaning into “weird and good beer” that taps into Japanese culinary ingredients. 

Kitano’s beer, as well as his story of leaving a career as a medical researcher to chase his brewing dream, coupled with his infectious personality, propelled him to victory during Brewbound’s Pitch Slam competition at the 2025 Brewbound Live business conference last December.

On this week’s Brewbound Podcast, Kitano shares an update on the business following the win and why he believes his pitch resonated. In the months since, the draft-only brand added several bar and restaurant accounts and recently signed with L.A. Distributing Co., Kitano said. 

Listen here

Craving more? 👉 See what Insider members get access to.

Have feedback? 📝 Take the Survey Now >>

Want to share news or tips? ✉️ Submit a press release or reach out to news@brewbound.com.

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). 

We'll be back in your inbox on Monday.