Become a Brewbound Insider and gain exclusive access to a wealth of data and insights from leading data providers including CGA. Insider reports span a variety of critical topics impacting beer and beverage-alcohol brands, including consumer insights and social listening, scan data and consumer panels, on-premise surveys, supply chain, micro/macro economics, and investment trends. 

Become an Insider to access past and future reports.

Incoming Brewers Association CEO Bart Watson and staff economist Matt Gacioch offered a data-filled, crystal ball look at opportunities and challenges for craft brewers heading into 2025. 

The duo offered predictions for 10 areas of the beer business in the new year during a webinar Thursday. Here’s a snippet of those predictions:

Craft Beer: The number of brewery closures (399) nationally this year outpaced openings (335) for the first time since the early 2000s. Those trends are likely to continue in 2025, although Watson reminded webinar attendees that the number of closings is “still low.”  

Insiders can read more predictions from the BA. 

Brewbound’s sibling publication BevNET has expanded its awards to honor the work of spirits entrepreneurs pushing the category to new heights.

The winners of BevNET’s 2024 Best Spirits Awards are a group that is reshaping and reimagining consumers’ relationship with alcohol and its zero-proof alternatives with style, personality and persistence. All winners are companies, brands, individuals, products, ideas or trends that have helped drive inspiration and growth across the industry over the last 12 months.

Insiders can see who won accolades, including awards for Spirits Company of the Year, Spirits Leaders of the Year, Best Non-Alcoholic Cocktails, Best RTD Wine-Based, Best RTD Spirits-Based, Best Ready-to-Serve Cocktail and Best Non-Alc Spirit. 

And check out the full list of 2024 nominees here.

Diageo is reportedly exploring a sale of Cîroc Vodka, the brand once transformed by the support of disgraced music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, who is now in prison facing federal charges of sex trafficking among other crimes.

The company has reached out to potential buyers, “including beverage companies and buyout firms to gauge their interest, ” Bloomberg reported, citing sources familiar with the matter. Considerations are at an early stage and may not lead to a transaction, reported the outlet.

The series of criminal complaints against one of the most famous names in hip-hop kicked off in November of 2023, when Combs’ ex-girlfriend Casandra “Cassie” Ventura filed a lawsuit accusing the Bad Boy Records boss of rape and physical abuse. In September, Combs was arrested and denied bail after pleading not guilty to charges of racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.

Insiders can read a refresher on Combs’ spirits ventures, and his rocky recent history with Diageo.

Make more informed decisions with exclusive industry reports and insights. We partner with leading data providers to cover a variety of critical topics impacting beer and beverage-alcohol brands. Check out this recent report in partnership with CGA for an on-premise beer and beyond beer update.

Become an Insider to access past and future reports.

The Brewers Association has tapped Bart Watson to lead the trade group for small and independent brewers, following the planned retirement of Bob Pease. The Brewbound team breaks down the choice and the challenges ahead for Watson in his new role, as well as the larger industry after last week’s release of the “Year in Beer” report. 

Plus, Jess, Zoe and Justin share highlights of the Brewbound LIve business conference and the underlying theme of “focus,” the primer on intoxicating hemp and a new long-time partnership between Dogfish Head and the Grateful Dead. They also discuss the winner of the 2024 Brewbound Pitch Slam competition, Hurray’s Girl Beer. 

The show wraps up with an interview with Brewbound’s 2024 Person of the Year, Highland Brewing president Leah Wong Ashburn, who shares details of a new beer release that will help North Carolina hospitality workers in the wake of Hurricane Helene. 

Listen here or on your preferred podcast platform.