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Breweries in the Mecklenburgs both old and new are uniting to deliver a black beer for Black Friday.

Charlotte-based Olde Mecklenburg Brewery (OMB) today announced its first-ever international collaboration with Störtebeker Braumanufaktur, a craft brewery in the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. 

The breweries are planning to release Black Lager (schwarz bier in German) at noon on November 29 at OMB’s two Charlotte breweries, which sit in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. The region takes its name from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the ancestral home of Queen Charlotte, who was married to King George III, the ruler of the British Empire when the American colonies were founded.

OMB founder John Marrino said in a press release: “It’s just really cool to be able to bring the two Mecklenburgs together in this unique way. It highlights a couple of centuries worth of brewing history as well as the history of Charlotte and the region.”

The beer will be available Friday on draft and in 6-pack bottles at OMB’s Lower South End (LoSo) and Ballantyne locations. Friday also marks the kick off of OMB’s German-inspired Christmas markets at both taprooms. The markets will run for four weekends and feature vendors, traditional food and drink offerings and occasional visits from Santa Claus.

The Ballantyne taproom, OMB’s second, opened earlier this year and ushered in a wave of development for the brewery, which is the oldest in the now-burgeoning Charlotte craft scene. Last week, OMB and travel concessionaire HMS Host partnered to open a taproom in Terminal D at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, chief operating officer James Birch told Brewbound.  

OMB has broken ground on a third location along the Catawba River in Mount Holly, North Carolina, about 15 miles northwest of its headquarters in Charlotte’s Lower South End. The taproom is expected to open in late 2025 or early 2026, Birch said. 

Insiders can read more about changes to OMB’s portfolio, including what it learned from releasing its first-ever IPA and how it’s slimming seasonal offerings.

After a packed news week, the Brewbound team breaks down the latest headlines, including leadership reorganization and staff cuts at the Brewers Association, an impending CEO change at Heineken-owned Lagunitas Brewing and Sapporo-Stone ceasing exports for the craft beer brand. 

Jess, Zoe and Justin also preview the Brewbound Live business conference coming up December 11 and 12 in Marina del Rey, California. The team shares highlights of the on-stage talks and surrounding events, including networking parties, the Pitch Slam competition and retailer and wholesaler one-to-one conversations. 

Listen here or on your preferred podcasting platform. 

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Total beverage-alcohol sales declined -7.7% year-over-year (YoY) in the week ending November 17, according to market research firm Circana. 

Circana EVP of bev-alc Scott Scanlon wrote in his weekly off-premise data report: “As expected, the post Halloween retracement is playing out. But despite some large numbers, it is too early to panic.”

All major categories were also in the red for the week ending November 17. Beer posted the smallest decline at -3.6% YoY, followed by spirits (-7.1%) and wine (-18.2%). The ready-to-drink (RTD) segment, which includes offerings that have malt, wine and spirits bases, was the only portion of the industry to record dollar sales growth at +1.7%.

Insiders can go deeper into brand-level performance in the beer category, as well as highlights from wine, spirits and RTDs.

Distributor sentiments for beer category strength shifted from cautious to “neutral” in November, according to the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) in the trade group’s latest Beer Purchasers' Index (BPI) report. 

Total beer posted a BPI reading of 50. Readings above 50 indicate beer ordering expansion, while readings below 50 indicate contraction. 

The November reading was eight points higher than total beer’s October BPI of 42, and one point lower than the November 2023 reading of 51.

Insiders can read more, including milestones (positive and negative) for below premium and craft.

Applebee’s is joining the lineup of retailers offering an opportunity for  one-to-one meetings at the Brewbound Live  business conference December 11 + 12, Brewbound Live in Marina del Rey, California.

Applebee’s is one of the world’s largest casual dining brands throughout the United States and abroad with more than 1,500 locations across 11 countries and territories. Nathan Grover, Executive Director of Bar & Beverage at Applebee’s, will be available for private, pre-scheduled meetings.

The lineup for one-to-one meetings includes Whole Foods Market, ExtraMile Convenience, Reyes Beverage Group, Breakthru Beverage and California Beverage Solution.

To be considered for a meeting, you must be registered for Brewbound Live. Upon registering, you’ll receive detailed instructions on how to sign up for one-to-one meetings.

Register for Brewbound Live 2024 >>

This year’s event promises to be packed with industry-leading speakers, innovative insights, and hands-on opportunities. Check out the full agenda and attendee list.

Intoxicating hemp beverages have become a hot topic among suppliers, wholesalers and retailers in search of the next big thing. 

The 2024 Brewbound Live business conference will bring together leaders and early movers in the burgeoning but volatile space, which some believe is poised to become its own category.

Climbing Kites co-founder Scott Selix, Indeed Brewing chief business officer Ryan Bandy and BevStrategy LLC and Creature Comforts co-founder Chris Herron will offer their perspectives on the opportunity for delta-9 THC-infused beverages, how the functional nature of these products has appealed to consumers across generations and myth-bust stereotypes within the segment.

They’ll also explain navigating the ever-shifting legislative and regulatory landscape, how they’re winning over wholesaler and retailer partners and how the category goes mainstream. 

Brewbound Live takes place December 11 and 12 at the Marina del Rey Marriott in California. Tickets are available now. 

Leaders from all three tiers will gather for business-focused conversations on driving the bev-alc industry forward, data presentations, networking and brand building. 

Check out the 2024 Brewbound Live speaker roster.

In addition to the mainstage programming and networking parties, Brewbound Live will feature opportunities for one-to-one conversations with retail buyers from chains (Whole Foods Market and ExtraMile Convenience Stores) and distributors (Breakthru Beverage California, Reyes Beer Division and California Beverage Solution – Stone Distributing, Markstein Sales and Heimark Distributing). Registered attendees will be considered for meetings with buyers, as space is limited. Find out more details here.

Brewbound Live sponsors include John I. Haas, Abstrax Hops, Suntory,  Steel Chill-Cups, Yeti, NIQ, Crafted ERP, Strike Visuals, Fast Track Packaging, Ahatis, Foundry, BeatBox, Firestone Walker and JuneShine.