Stormalong Cider is celebrating 10 years this year. As the company hits the decade mark and gets ready to move into a new production facility and taproom, founder and CEO Shannon Edgar reflects on the business’ priorities and foundation, dishing all the details to Insiders.

In today’s newsletter, Insiders are also:

• Finding out about leadership changes at New Belgium Brewing;
• Learning what industry veteran as been appointed CEO of Casa Azul;
• Getting details on former Atwater Brewery owner Mark Rieth’s latest craft investment;
• Reading about Flying Fish’s auction and how much the intellectual property went for;
• Checking out legislative updates in Tennessee and Indiana;
• And seeing the latest Beer Mail from Funkytown Brewing to hit Zoe’s doorstep (newsletter exclusive).

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

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After a decade in business, Stormalong Cider is finally creating the taproom of its dreams and that its fans have been requesting.

The Massachusetts-based craft cidery operates in two spaces: an office and small retail space in Sherburne and a production facility in Leominster. By the end of the year, the company plans to move into an all-encompassing facility in Millis that will house production and a tasting room. 

Having a Stormalong headquarters is vital to the cidery’s mission of increasing consumer education on the diversity of hard ciders and the capabilities of apples – something that the U.S. market is just scratching the surface on, Stormalong founder and CEO Shannon Edgar told Brewbound.

Edgar said: “We do a lot of farmers markets and other experiential events, but this is a great opportunity to really get people to taste things and show them what cider can do and what apples can be.”

Insiders can read more, such as Stormalong’s plans for 2024 – including a non-alcoholic offering – and Edgar’s opinion on pursuing other bev-alc categories.

Kirin-owned New Belgium Brewing announced several leadership changes today and provided an update on its search for a new chief marketing officer (CMO).

Chief sales officer (CSO) Michael Corrigan is leaving the Fort Collins, Colorado-based craft brewery after more than 15 years to join Keg1, one of New Belgium’s “largest distributor partners,” according to a media statement shared with Brewbound. His last day will be March 8.

Additionally, New Belgium chief ESG officer Kattie Wallace is leaving the company after nearly two decades. Her last day will also be March 8.

Insiders can read more, including New Belgium’s comments on the status of its CMO search following the appointment of Belongie as CEO.

Former Atwater Brewery owner Mark Rieth is back in the craft beer business. 

Rieth, who bought the Detroit-based brewery in 2005 and sold the business to Molson Coors in 2020, is acquiring a majority stake in Lansing Brewing Company (LBC) and its Hard Nose Spirits brand via his Detroit Liquid Ventures beverage platform.

Rieth purchased a 90% stake in the business, with previous owner Jennifer Gillespie retaining the remaining 10% of the business, a spokesperson told Brewbound. All LBC staff have been offered to continue in their existing roles. 

Brewbound Insiders can read more about the deal and other small craft deals.

Baltimore-based Guilford Hall Brewery has acquired the Flying Fish brand, recipes, trademarks, and wholesaler agreements through a bankruptcy auction, according to NJ Advance Media. The business netted $597,925 from the auction.

Guilford Hall owner Stefan Popescu paid $152,500 for the brewery’s intellectual property and distribution deals, according to Patch. The new owner plans to continue East Coast distribution of Flying Fish products, but will shutter the brewery’s 45,000 sq. ft. Somerdale location. 

Brewbound Insiders can read more about the auction.

Dennis Carr is the new CEO of Casa Azul, the tequila company from the beverage innovators behind non-alc brands Fuze, NOS, BodyArmor and Core.

Carr comes with a lengthy track record leading bev-alc groups, the most recent being a four-year stint as VP of E. & J. Gallo (now “Gallo”). Carr was also the president and CEO of spirits company Hotaling & Co for seven years, and had stints at C. Mondavi & Family and Boston Beer.

Insiders can read more here.

A controversial Tennessee bill to ban the sale of cold beer has been withdrawn. 

In its original form, House Bill 2845 proposed banning the sale of refrigerated beer at licensed retailers in the state in an attempt to curtail impaired driving. 

In Indiana, a bill to permit time-bound price discounts on alcohol beverages at on-premise retailers – effectively legalizing happy hour – has passed both houses of the Indiana Legislature.

Insiders can read more details on both legislative efforts.

We’re taking this show on the road. The Brewbound Podcast On-Location is heading to industry gatherings across the country, starting March 12-14 with the California Craft Beer Summit in Sacramento, hosted by the California Craft Brewers Association. 

Look for Brewbound Podcast hosts Jess Infante and Justin Kendall conducting interviews with industry leaders on the show floor. 

Reach out to podcast@brewbound.com if you’d like to connect at the event. Also, look for more Brewbound Podcast On-Location announcements in the near future.