How do you solve a “fun crisis?” You gotta give the people what they want. And you gotta meet them on their own turf. 

New Belgium CMO Rebecca Dye Yonushonis shared the company’s strategy for satisfying the No. 1 occasion not meeting drinkers’ needs at last week’s distributor convention in Fort Collins, CO. 

Brewbound editor Justin Kendall shares highlights from her presentation in today’s Brewbound Insider Newsletter and on Brewbound.com.

Insiders are also reading about:

• 2 Iowa craft breweries’ formalization of their partnership via an IP acquisition;
• Surfside maker Stateside Vodka’s move closer to the core of Philly;
• Green shoots mixed in a sea of red scans;
• And the Beer Institute’s new digital ad campaign for what else, beer.

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Beer is in the midst of “a fun crisis,” New Belgium Brewing CMO Rebecca Dye Yonushonis declared during the company’s distributor convention in Fort Collins last week. 

Craft admittedly “got a little serious,” and the plethora of choices on shelves proved to be “a little bit confusing,” leading to “choice overload” and dissatisfaction for drinkers, Dye Yonushonis explained.  

Those factors, along with an onslaught of macroeconomic headwinds, have contributed to craft’s downward trends (-5% dollars, -6.8% volume in NIQ-tracked channels YTD through September 20) and continued struggles to resonate with consumers who are gravitating to higher ABV and NA offerings, THC-infused beverages and RTDs. 

So New Belgium’s leaders decided to seek out the reasons why consumers’ behaviors in when, how and what they drink are shifting so rapidly. They found that the No. 1 occasion not meeting drinkers’ needs was “fun.” 

Insiders can read more about New Belgium’s strategy and trends. Plus, find out why CEO Shaun Belongie is optimistic some headwinds will turn to opportunities. Look for further coverage of the company’s innovation slate in November.

Editor’s Note: New Belgium paid transit and lodging costs for Brewbound to attend its distributor meeting in Fort Collins, Colorado.

A pair of IA craft breweries are formalizing their existing partnership. 

SingleSpeed Brewing (Waterloo) is acquiring the IP of Backpocket Brewing (Coralville) and its sibling brand Peace Tree Brewing. 

Backpocket and Peace Tree operations will move an hour and 15 minutes northwest to SingleSpeed’s Waterloo production brewery, which will be expanded to accommodate capacity needs for all 3 brands. 

Insiders can read more details of the partnership and the future of the Parallel Brewery Collective. 

Bev-alc’s new pattern of YoY off-premise declines continued in the latest week (data ending September 28), according to market research firm Circana and EVP of BevAl Scott Scanlon. 

Total bev-alc dollar sales (-3%) and volume (-4%) both remained in the red. The latest losses are inline with 4-week trends post-Labor Day, with dollar sales declining 3% and volume down 4.3% in the L4W ending September 28. 

Insiders can read more, including the latest weekly scans for beer, wine, spirits and RTDs.

Constellation Brands has now revealed the Q2 trends that drove the company to lower its full-year guidance last month, and the numbers stand in stark contrast to a year ago. 

Through the first half of FY26, Constellation’s beer business – including Mexican imports Modelo, Corona, Pacifico and Victoria – has declined 6.2% YoY, while depletions are down 2.6%. Beer net sales are down 5%, to more than $4.8 billion. 

Despite macroeconomic headwinds and the latest declines, Constellation leadership reiterated confidence in its beer brands during a call with investors and analysts Tuesday morning. 

President and CEO Bill Newlands said: “We’re cautiously – and I would stress that word again, ‘cautiously’ – optimistic that we’ve hit the bottom here,” But the volatility is unprecedented and the results are very mixed.”

Read more highlights from Tuesday’s call, including why some analysts question Constellation’s optimism, and how leadership responded to those critiques.

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.

Why Apply?

• Stage Time: Pitch in front of hundreds of beverage alcohol industry decision-makers including strategics, distributors, and investors.
• Strategic Visibility: Get your brand in front of top-tier media, buyers, and potential partners, all in one room.
• Expert Feedback: Hear from seasoned judges with deep operational, retail, and investment experience.
• Access: Finalists unlock access to 1:1 meetings, networking, and breakout sessions designed to accelerate growth.

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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