Last week was all about Constellation Brands, whose star is, well, shining bright. (Sorry, it’s just that there’s only so many times you can trot out a tired phrase and have it fit perfectly.) Brewbound editor Justin Kendall reported on company trends and 2024 plans from the Gold Network Summit, the annual gathering of Constellation Beer Division wholesalers in Las Vegas. Constellation plans to add 100 million cases to its business in the next five years, EVP and beer division president Jim Sabia told wholesalers. The company will get there through three growth avenues: distribution, innovation and demographics, Sabia said. Modelo Especial is certainly pulling its weight on Constellation’s march to that goal – it reached 200 million cases distributed in the latest rolling 52-week period, Constellation beer division VP of brand marketing Greg Gallagher shared. Constellation has been more averse to SKU proliferation than its industry peers, with company leaders often touting that its five brand families’ 150 million SKUs generate sales of $54 million per SKU, compared to A-B’s 100 brand families and 1,500 SKUs with $10 million per SKU Molson Coors’ 50 brand families with 750 SKUs with $11 million per SKU. As its main growth driver, the Modelo family has methodically branched out over the years, with green shoots for each line extension. More details in the link above. Corona Extra is getting some serious star power this year, as actor Pedro Pascal of The Last of Us and The Mandalorian has been named its new lead brand ambassador. Pascal’s turn as Corona’s frontman starts in May in the lead up to Cinco de Mayo. Corona is also adding Mexican singer Peso Pluma and retired NBA star (and one-year, NCAA championship-winning Syracuse Orangeman) Carmelo Anthony to its already stacked celebrity roster. Elsewhere in Constellation’s portfolio, the company debuted Corona Sunbrew, a flavor-forward line extension of Corona brewed with orange and lime peels; Shyft, a flavored malt beverage (FMB) that changes its taste; and The Drop, a line of canned cocktails modeled after lemon drop shots. In other beer industry news… - Five thousand Teamsters across A-B’s 12 U.S. breweries ratified a new five-year contract with the company. The contract passed with 86% of the vote and includes increased wages and job protections and the end to a tiered healthcare system, among other benefits.
- Wisconsin’s Karben4 filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, citing ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and internal disputes among ownership.
- Craft Collective and Homegrown Distribution, both craft-centric wholesalers with statewide coverage of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, told suppliers they had struck a tentative agreement to merge.
- Grown Folks and Kin Hard Seltzer aim to connect with the Black community via hard seltzers featuring familiar flavors. BevNET reporter Lukas Southard has the story.
- Seattle-based craft soda producer Jones Soda Co. is crossing over into beverage-alcohol with the launch of Spiked Jones Hard Craft Soda, BevNET spirits editor Ferron Salniker reported.
- Sapporo-Stone is hitting its stride, as Sapporo offerings will soon be rolling out of both Stone production facilities. Brewbound managing editor Jessica Infante reported on 2024 plans for both brands, which for Stone includes a hyper-focus on beer brands Buenaveza, Delicious and Stone IPA. The brand has discontinued its beyond beer offerings, Buenavida Hard Seltzer and Buenafiesta Margaritas, Keeling said.
And to close out the week, we grabbed a round with David Deline, president of Colorado-based Prost Brewing, who dished on the brewery’s new headquarters and its dedication to upholding German brewing and service traditions. Catch up on the latest Brewbound Podcast featuring a conversation with 5050 Brewing’s Alicia Barr and Urban Roots’ Peter Hoey on the state of craft beer in California. Need more GIFs with your recaps? Check out our Insider exclusive weekend newsletter, courtesy of Sean McNulty. |
