Brewbound Insiders are reading more from Brewbound’s interview with Smuttynose CEO Steve Kierstead.

Insiders are also:

• Learning what three factors are contributing most to craft’s negative trends from BA chief economist Bart Watson;
• Reading more about the Beer Institute’s new chief economist;
• Checking out the economic impact of Tree House Brewing’s flagship location;
• Diving into the weekly Circana scans, as well as a new spirits report from CGA;
• And seeing what’s New on Shelves from Tröegs.

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

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To be a successful contract brewer you need to consider the future possibilities…and current realities. Keys to success include knowing your costs, getting the team’s input and buy-in, defining your customer service plan, establishing quality specifications, and establishing a good contract. Learn more

Finestkind Brewing, the parent company of New Hampshire’s Smuttynose Brewing Co., has acquired Brooklyn, New York-based Five Boroughs Brewing Co.

Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. The deal closed on October 23 and was announced to employees at both breweries Tuesday afternoon. 

In the coming months, Five Boroughs’ production will be shifted to Smuttynose’s facility in Hampton, New Hampshire. However, Five Boroughs will maintain its taproom in the Sunset Park neighborhood of Brooklyn as an innovation-focused hub for small-batch beers. 

Finestkind is also open to further expansion as a geographically diverse beverage platform. In addition to Smuttynose, Finestkind’s portfolio of brands includes spirits-based, ready-to-drink Island District Cocktails. The company is also exploring expansion into non-alcoholic offerings. 

Brewbound Insiders can read more about the deal, including comments from Five Boroughs co-founder and CEO Blake Tomnitz and Finestkind CEO Kierstead.

The demand for craft beer isn’t growing anymore, and craft has officially become a mature – not maturing – market, Brewers Association (BA) chief economist Bart Watson told industry members Monday at the Massachusetts Brewers Guild’s Technical Brewing and Business Conference, held at Jack’s Abby in Framingham, Massachusetts. 

Watson likened the change in the marketplace to playing darts. During craft beer’s peak, when craft brewery openings significantly outpaced closings, if you threw a dart – whether that dart was a new brewery location or product innovation – “you probably hit a bullseye,” Watson said. 

Now, with a mature market, brewers have to “be focused” and “really know what you’re doing” to find the target, i.e. success.

Insiders can read more, including Watson’s comments and numbers on craft’s challenges with pricing, demographic changes and increased competition.

The Beer Institute (BI) has hired Andrew Heritage as its new chief economist, filling the data head vacancy left by Danelle Kosmal.

Kosmal announced her plans to depart her role as BI VP of research in July after nearly two years with the trade association. Kosmal and her family are moving to Japan in December for a two- to three-year stay. However, she will remain a part of the industry as a consultant for 3 Tier Beverages, a Chicago-based beverage-alcohol consulting and data firm.

Insiders can read more, including comments from Heritage and BI president and CEO Brian Crawford.

Rising prices and a slight dip in guest traffic have contributed to falling spirits sales in the on-premise channel over the last year, according to a new report from market research firm NIQ’s on-premise data arm CGA.

On-premise spirit sales by volume dropped -3.3% on-premise in the last 52-weeks through early September, reported CGA.

BevNET spirits editor Ferron Salniker has more.

Leaders from Bell’s Brewery, Rogue Ales & Spirits and CANarchy will share strategies on reinvigorating flagship offerings during the 2023 Brewbound Live business conference December 6 + 7 in Marina del Rey, California.

Bell’s EVP Carrie Yunker, Rogue president Steven Garrett and CANarchy chief commercial officer Chris Russell will explore brand building strategies, how to leverage brand equity of longstanding flagships, considerations for creating brand families and how to create a halo effect across your portfolio.

Bell’s has built out its Two Hearted IPA and Oberon brand families with line extensions this year. Rogue has transformed Dead Guy into a family across several styles. And CANarchy has leveraged the Dale’s brand family, while also launching a marketing campaign for Cigar City’s Jai Alai.

Brewbound Live takes place December 6 + 7 at the Marina del Rey Marriott Hotel (4100 Admiralty Way, Marina Del Rey, CA). Tickets are available now.