Kelce-backed lager brand Garage Beer is now available in all 50 states and trending toward 4 million CEs by the end of the year. Brewbound Insiders are getting details on the brand’s growth from owner Andy Sauer and VP of marketing Corey Smale. 

The duo spoke with Brewbound editor Justin Kendall about their efforts to professionalize, maintain the brand’s individual identity and tap into microniche communities. 

In today’s full version of the Brewbound Newsletter, Insiders are also:

• Reading about KDP’s planned exit from Reyes this fall;
• Diving into Q2’s soft on-premise trends;
• Getting details of Cann’s new VP of sales;
• Hearing from a CA brewery owner on distributor consolidation in the state;
• And plunging into Patrick Mahomes’ big head.

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

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Garage Beer – an “internet darling” turned mainstream lager brand, with the backing of Jason and Travis Kelce – is on pace to ship around 4 million CEs (around 300,000 barrels of beer) by the end of 2025. 

The brand is trending up “400% or 500%, depending on whether you’re looking at consumption or shipments,” owner Andy Sauer shared with Brewbound.

If the trends hold, Garage Beer would rank just outside of the Brewers Association’s top 10 craft breweries by volume. 

Brewbound Insiders can dig deeper into what’s driving Garage Beer’s growth, how the company is maintaining its individual identity while having celebrity owners, and how the company is tapping into microniche communities with BeerBed giveaways and pro wrestlers.

Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) has been cleared to cut ties with distributor and bottler Reyes Coca-Cola, after a TX judge ruled last week that the soda giant has a right to not renew a long-term agreement with the company.

Reyes Coca-Cola, a subsidiary of food and beverage distributor Reyes Holdings, owns facilities in CA and NV and held the rights to produce and distribute KDP’s flagship Dr Pepper brand across 10 states in the Western U.S.

Insiders can read the full story on Brewbound.

If recent off-premise scan data has been a bummer lately, don’t expect the on-premise to deliver optimism either.

Beer volumes at bars and restaurants have declined mid- to high-single digits YoY on draft (-5.7%) and in package (-9.3%) during the 2nd quarter of 2025, according to on-premise data firm BeerBoard.

RTDs – which include offerings across beer, wine and spirits – provided the lone bright spot at +10% YoY. However, RTDs’ gains are not enough to offset other losses.

Insiders can read the full story on Brewbound, which includes top brands across draft packaged beer, RTDs and spirits.

Brewbound Live takes place in Marina del Rey, CA on December 10+11, and the official Marriott hotel block is now available. Staying on-site means you’re just steps away from panel discussions, beer tastings, and connection-building with top industry leaders.

Secure your spot early, register now to access the room block and save $100 with early registration.

When Topa Topa Brewing CEO Jack Dyer and brewmaster Casey Harris started the Ventura, CA, brewery in 2015, they knew they were in it for the long haul, committing to a business that was anchored in quality beer “with a purpose.” 

The duo crafted a taproom-focused brewery that was a love letter to hops, drafting a business plan that prioritized connecting with the community and supporting environmental causes. By Year 2 of the company, Topa Topa had already reached the 10-year pillars of Dyer and Harris’ business plan. 

Now, Topa Topa has actually hit the decade mark, celebrating its 10-year anniversary last month. Despite operating in a vastly different craft beer market in 2025 compared to 2015, Topa Topa has been able to maintain growth, with no immediate signs of slowing down. 

Insiders can read more about Topa Topa’s 2025 strategy, including distribution and taproom expansion and beer and packaging innovations.