We’re headed to Indianapolis for the Brewers Association’s (BA) Craft Brewers Conference (CBC) and BrewExpo America (April 28 to May 1). To celebrate, we’ve dedicated our coverage over today and Monday to headlines that can best prepare you for the annual event. 

For our 2nd annual CBC site takeover, Brewbound Insiders are:

• Getting a preview of hot topics that will be discussed at this year’s event;
• Having A Round With BA board treasurer and DSSOLVR CFO and co-owner Audra Gaiziunas, in Part 1 of a 2-part Q&A;
• And staying up to date on recent BA news with our pre-CBC reading list.

Of course, the news does not stop. Brewbound Insiders are also reading highlights from Boston Beer’s Q1 earnings release and accompanying call between company leadership and investors and analysts, and checking out a beer collab made for Von Ebert’s 7th anniversary.

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.

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Around 10,000 industry members are expected to make the trip to Indianapolis for the 2025 CBC and BrewExpo America. The gathering takes place against a backdrop of growing headwinds for craft breweries and an overhaul of CBC’s host organization, the Brewers Association (BA).

When Bart Watson takes the stage for this year’s state of the industry address inside the Indiana Convention Center on Wednesday, April 30, he will do so for the first time as CEO of the trade organization where he previously served as chief economist and VP of strategy. 

The changeover comes as industry growth has given way to volume declines over the past 2 years, with craft volume down 4% in 2024 and 1% in 2023. Craft is now a decade removed from the double-digit growth of the mid-2010s, making the past few years a crash course in navigating choppy waters. 

Insiders can read more about what to expect next week in Indianapolis, including key talks, awards and more.  

Audra Gaiziunas wears so many hats she could open a Lids. She is the CFO and co-owner of Asheville’s DSSOLVR, founder of Brewed for Her Ledger management consulting firm and treasurer of the Brewers Association’s (BA) board of directors. There is almost no one better to feature in our pre-Craft Brewers Conference edition of A Round With …, the Brewbound Insider-exclusive Q&A with industry leaders.

We checked in with Audra to discuss financial smarts, time management and how to have your best CBC yet. 

Insiders can read more from Audra about her experience as treasurer of the BA’s board of directors and wisdom gleaned from attending 15 CBCs. Look for Part 2 next week, which will feature Audra’s sharp financial insights and a post-Helene update from Asheville, North Carolina.

When Brewers Association (BA) staff economist Matt Gacioch is asked whether craft brewers are optimistic or pessimistic, his response is “brewers are realistic.”

Gacioch also touches on new breweries making this year’s top 50 craft list, potential opportunities and challenges for breweries adding food service and why he’s excited for CBC. Plus, more conversation about kicking field goals than you’d expect.

Listen here or on your preferred podcast platform. 

The BA has tapped Samuel Beaver to lead federal government affairs, the trade organization announced Thursday. 

Beaver joins the BA from the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), where he served as director of government relations for nearly six years. Before that, Beaver spent almost a decade on Capitol Hill. 

Insiders can read more about Beaver’s background and career. 

Headed to Indianapolis for the 2025 Craft Brewers Conference (CBC) and looking for some light reading? We got you.

Ahead of the Brewers Association’s (BA) big event, we’ve put together a list of some of the trade group’s biggest stories from the past few months that will help you prepare for the week. 

Read our CliffsNotes version here.

Of course, the news does not stop:

Boston Beer Company had a more positive start to fiscal year 2025 compared to the company’s recent quarterly performances, according to Q1 financial results released after trading ended on Thursday.

The company’s shipments (sales to wholesalers) grew 5.3% year-over-year (YoY), to 1.7 million barrels, primarily due to increases from Twisted Tea, Hard MTN Dew and vodka-based hard tea Sun Cruiser, which partially offset declines from Truly Hard Seltzer. 

Dive deeper into the Q1 figures and FY25 guidance here.

Twisted Tea has been a positive outlier for Boston Beer in recent years, posting consistent growth for the company and combating declines from its sibling brands, including Truly. 

However, it is now Boston Beer’s spirits-based hard tea, Sun Cruiser, that is pulling the weight, while Twisted Tea’s growth has slowed significantly, according to the company’s Q1 earnings call, held with investors and analysts Thursday evening. 

Insiders can read highlights from Thursday’s call, including further context on tariffs impacts and updates on Truly, Hard MTN Dew, Samuel Adams, Dogfish Head and Angry Orchard.

The Brewbound team is hitting the road and heading to the Craft Brewers Conference on April 28 – May 1 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The Brewbound trio will be on the ground, covering all the latest news and presentations coming out of the conference, as well as hosting live podcast interviews at the Brewbound booth (#512).

Make sure to stop by our booth #512, where Brewbound will be chatting with brewery founders and owners, beverage entrepreneurs and c-suite leadership across the industry. Whether you’re a business vet or just starting out, we’d love to meet you and hear what’s new.

If you’re interested in discussing advertising and sponsorship opportunities to reach our audience of beer executives, our sales team will also be present and happy to chat with you at the Brewbound booth. Reach out in advance to sales@brewbound.com to set up a time to talk.