Trends improved for only 5 of the beer category’s 25 largest vendors in the L4W thru June 14,  according to Circana. 

4 of the 14 vendors with positive YTD dollars accelerated gains in the L4W:

• No. 10 D.G. Yuengling & Son, L4W dollar sales +1.4%, volume +1.9% (YTD dollar sales +1.2%, volume +1.7%);

• No. 14 Phusion Projects, L4W dollar sales +7.9%, volume +5.8% (YTD dollar sales +7.4%, volume +4.7%);

• No. 16 Athletic, L4W dollar sales +21.6%, volume +26% (YTD dollar sales +19.7%, volume +25.2%);

• No. 17 Sazerac, L4W dollar sales +5.3%, volume +2.7% (YTD dollar sales +3.7%, volume +0.5%).

No. 20 Gambrinus remained in the red, but saw slight improvement:

• L4W dollar sales -7.2%, volume -8.6 (YTD dollar sales -7.6%, volume -9%).

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Growth adds complexity fast, and without clear financial visibility, it’s easy to lose track of what’s actually driving your business. This free guide breaks down how to understand your margins, manage inventory, and build better financial systems. Download now and start making more confident decisions. Learn more

Go beyond Today’s Top Story by becoming a Brewbound Insider. 

Insiders have access to full coverage of today’s headlines available on Brewbound.com, including:

• 72% of July 4 Partiers Plan to Buy Beer; Spirits Purchase Intent Grows, Per Numerator

• Bev-Alc Declines Persist in NIQ Scans, Despite World Cup Uplift and RTDs Rebound

• Bartender-Crafted RTD Hugo's Cocktails Scales With New Distribution Deal 

Plus, the Brewbound Insider Newsletter features even more, including details on the closure of Ballast Point’s San Francisco taproom, and a look at whether consumers can tell which base alcohol they’re consuming in hard seltzers and RTDs. 

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On the latest Brewbound Podcast episode, the Brewbound team catches up on how Independence Day is stacking up as a heat wave sets in for much of the country.

Hot Topics:

• U.K. beer prices vs. the U.S., and other across-the-pond observations from Zoe’s trip to London;

• Jersey Shore banner plane ads, which have been heavily skewed toward 1 brand, according to Jess’ on-the-ground reporting;

• July 4 beer promos, such as a meat-and-beer deal spotted in IA by Justin;

• And other quick hits, including Allagash’s new Maine-centric ad campaign, the impact of the World Cup on beer and why now is the time for hot RTD brands to explore a sale. 

Listen here

Beer is still the top choice for Fourth of July parties, but spirits are gaining in purchase intent, according to data and insights firm Numerator. 

71% of Americans plan to celebrate Independence Day 2026, up from 70% in 2025, but still below the 73% in 2024, according to the firm’s latest survey.

95% of July 4 partiers plan to make a holiday-related purchase and just under half (44%) plan to purchase alcoholic beverages.   

Go deeper

The industry remains deeply in the red in NIQ-tracked off-premise channels, despite positive bev-alc trends reported earlier this week, according to the latest report from the market research firm. 

NIQ’s Analysis: “Overall, total alcohol reflects a mixed landscape shaped by both seasonal tailwinds and broader macro pressures. … Recent gains appear increasingly influenced by summer demand patterns, with added support from event-driven occasions such as FIFA viewership and the Juneteenth holiday weekend.”

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Cristian Molina built the flavors for Hugo's Cocktails with the premise that his 20 years of bartending put him more in touch with trends than a focus group.

After a few years in the NYC market, Molina’s premium RTD canned cocktail company is preparing to test those instincts on a wider scale via its 1st distribution deal. 

Hugo’s riffs on classic cocktails are onboarding with wine-focused distributor Massanois across FL, CA, IL and NY, plus nationwide via e-commerce DTC sales.

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Things are looking up for Constellation Brands in Q2 after a rocky end to Q1, CEO Nicholas Fink shared during his 1st earnings call with investors Wednesday morning.

2026 brought elevated gas prices that thwarted beer sales in the wake of the U.S. and Israel’s war with Iran, but signs of a return to normal have begun to appear in early Q2 with “a modest reacceleration.”

How Is Constellation’s Business? “We saw some very strong numbers as consumers get to make the choices that they want to make, and would like to make. It’s encouraging in a somewhat more normalized environment that the portfolio is more than holding its own and responding really well,” Fink said.

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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're taking Friday (July 3) off in observance of Independence Day. We'll be back in your inbox Monday. We hope you enjoy the holiday weekend.