THC is a hot topic in today’s Brewbound Insiders Newsletter. Insiders are getting highlights from Duvel’s 2025 distributor meeting, and the announcement the Quirk seltzer brand is being extended to include zero-proof THC-infused seltzers with Berry Jane in 2 SKUs (5 mg and 10 mg). 

Insiders are also reading about Target adding intoxicating hemp beverages to 10 stores in Minnesota and a look at state regulation of hemp beverages. 

Plus, a recap of this year’s GABF beer and cider competition. 

Insiders are also reading about:

• Job cuts at BrewDog;
• A leadership change a Sunset Distributing;
• And a hopeful quote from Brewers Association president and CEO Bart Watson.

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THC seltzers, local sports partnerships and growing Boulevard’s new No. 1 brand are among the highlights of Duvel USA’s 2026 distribution convention, featuring skits mimicking popular movies and TV shows. 

The big news coming out of the meeting is Boulevard’s addition of THC-infused seltzers under its Quirk line, announced via a Jurassic Park-inspired skit.  

Berry Jane will launch with 2 SKUs – 5 and 10 mg – in 12 oz. can 4-pack cartons this month.

Insiders can go deeper into Boulevard’s 2026 plans, including Space Camper overtaking Unfiltered Wheat, a big play for light beer share in its home market and strategy for owning sports with local college and pro partnerships.

The Brewers Association (BA) awarded 347 medals to 273 breweries and cideries Saturday during the trade group’s Great American Beer Festival (GABF) in Denver.

A total of 8,315 beers and ciders were evaluated for the competition by 250 judges, submitted by breweries from all 50 states. Producers were able to submit their beers to 108 styles categories, including Vera Hop Beer, added for the first time this year. There were also 6 cider categories, as well as a pro-am and collaboration competitions. 

Check out the winners and highlights here.

One of the largest retailers in the country is dipping its toe into the intoxicating hemp beverage category.

In its home state of Minnesota, Target has stocked the shelves of 10 stores in the Twin Cities region with intoxicating hemp drinks from 10 different brands, marking a potentially seismic shift in distribution for the category. The hemp-derived THC set will be sold in Target Wine Beer & Spirits stores, according to Minnesota ABC laws.

Insiders can read more about Target bringing in intoxicating hemp beverages.

As one joint is lit, another one is extinguished. I think that’s how the saying goes.

Or at least it loosely works as a metaphor for what we saw over the past week in the ever-busy world of state cannabis regulations: as OH slams the door shut (for the moment) on hemp, CA passed a law attempting to wrangle its market into compliance. The one consistent in all these stories? Nobody is really happy.

BevNET editor-in-chief Jeff Klineman and managing editor Martin Caballero dove into the dueling trends and ever-changing legislative landscape. Insiders can read the full report here. 

The Brewbound team is on the ground in Las Vegas for the NBWA’s Annual Convention. Justin, Jess and Zoe will be recording future episodes of the Brewbound Podcast. 

Stop by the booth, just outside of the trade show hall of the Octavius Ballroom. 

And look for the Brewbound team at the BREW (Building Relationships and Empowering Women) and Alliance for Women in Beer Making Moves event on Wednesday. 

Throughout this week, expect highlights from the NBWA convention, a deep dive on imports and notes from Sapporo-Stone’s distributor meeting.

Upp Liquids took home five medals – 2 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze – in the Great American Beer Festival's competition over the weekend. 

On the latest Brewbound Podcast, Upp's Tonya Cornett shares why she believes competition medals serve as stamps of approval. She also discusses her journey from working for a craft brewery within the world's largest beer maker to now doing her own thing at a small brewpub. 

Listen here or on your preferred podcasting platform. 

The Philadelphia Phillies’ season’s over, but they racked up a win by taking advantage of the 9-9-9 challenge (9 hot dogs, 9 beers in 9 innings) by offering a mini version for NLDS home games earlier this month. For $55, fans could partake, while maybe not fully stressing their digestive systems, Insider’s Week in Beer newsletter Sean McNulty pointed out in this week’s recap. 

Catch up on all of the latest headlines, including why Busch Light is pushing for guys to change their name to “Hunter.”

The application is now open for the Brewbound Live Pitch Slam, the leading business pitch competition for emerging beer, beyond beer, and adult beverage brands. The competition will take place during Brewbound Live 2025, held in Marina del Rey, December 10 & 11.

This year, the Pitch Slam gets a high-impact makeover: a new 1-day format, a tighter slate of finalists, and an intentional spotlight on innovation across RTDs, NA, cannabis, and beer categories.

The Brewbound Live Pitch Slam is open to early-stage adult beverage brands across beer, hard seltzer, hard cider, hard kombucha, RTD cocktails, THC-infused beverages and more. Whether you’re pre-launch with a product ready to sample or already in market for less than two years, we’re looking for disruptive brands with innovative concepts and the potential to scale. All applicants should be focused on the U.S. market and capable of providing packaged samples.

The deadline to apply is Wednesday, October 15, 2025. Space is limited. Apply Now >>

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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). 

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