New Belgium leaders presented a packed 2026 plan during its September distributor meeting. Insiders are getting details of that strategy that includes 2 new Voodoo Ranger brands with target channel approaches to each. They’re also reading about a pair of huge pop culture partnerships set to unfold next summer. 

They’re also getting details of 2 new RTD offerings that New Belgium will test in select markets next year as part of a new incubator approach. And they’re reading about plans for something special for Bell’s Two Hearted and a new year-round offering.

Those details are in today’s Brewbound Insider Newsletter and at Brewbound.com.

Insiders are also reading about:

• Distributors’ purchasing patterns in October;
• And Dry Dock’s taproom changes.

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

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New Belgium Brewing has big plans for Voodoo Ranger in 2026, from 2 new IPAs to partnerships with 2 of the biggest TV and video game releases of the year. 

New Belgium’s big Voodoo Ranger bets for next year include:

• Sweet Ride, a 6.5% ABV IPA targeted to the grocery channel;
• And G-Force, an 11% ABV IPA in 19.2 oz. single-serve cans for convenience.

Insiders can read more about the Voodoo Ranger strategy for 2026, the new brands, superhero partnerships and increased interest in the gaming community.

A pair of new RTD offerings are coming from New Belgium in 2026, including Kirin’s top-selling canned cocktail and a vodka offering with a “subtle nod” to the Voodoo Ranger franchise.

As part of their incubator approach to test, learn and prove new launches, New Belgium will bring parent company Kirin’s Hyoketsu vodka soda to the U.S.

In addition to Hyoketsu, New Belgium will launch Vandal Cocktails, a 10% ABV vodka-based RTD focused on the convenience channel.

Insiders can read more on plans for Bell's, LightStrike hard refreshers and more.

Wholesalers’ tepidness toward the beer category continued in October, according to the latest Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI) from the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA). The monthly survey of distributor sentiment revealed that ordering contracted again in October, with an index of 24 for total beer. An index lower than 50 indicates a segment is in contraction, while one greater than 50 indicates expansion.

Insiders can read more about at-risk inventory and beer category sentiment by segment.

High Rise founder Matt Skinner joins this week’s Brewbound Podcast to discuss the growth of his THC-infused beverage brand, which has added 10 states this year and grown into the No. 4 THC brand in dollars nationwide.

Molson Coors and Ball Corp. report Q3 earnings Tuesday morning. Keep an eye out for coverage on Brewbound.com. 

Plus, Jess and Zoe hit the road this week. They’ll be at the Massachusetts Brewers Guild’s conference today. Then, Zoe will venture to the Beer Institute’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C. midweek. Highlights to come. 

🧐 Oh Brewer, Where Art Thou?

NA beer is becoming an avenue for Hollywood A-listers. Tom Holland (Bero), John Mulaney (Years) and Charlie Sheen (WildAF) are getting company with George Clooney and his Casamigos co-founders jumping in. Insider’s Week in Beer writer Sean McNulty imagined the pitch to get Clooney to ride into the segment on his motorcycle in this past weekend’s newsletter. 

McNulty also notes Bloomberg’s report on publicly traded beer, wine and spirits makers’ stocks collectively shedding $830 billion – around 46% of their value – since coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic in June 2021. 

Insiders can catch up on all the headlines of the last week.

Bars, restaurants and social gathering spaces are beer’s “moneyball” opportunity, National Beer Wholesalers Association VP of analytics and chief economist Lester Jones shares during the latest edition of the Brewbound Podcast.

Jones is the first of 2 interviews this week. Adam and Amanda Kroener, the founders of spirits-based cocktail brand Carbliss, also join this week’s podcast to share their slow approach to brand building and goal of becoming a national brand. 

First, Jones explains why the on-premise channel remains the key to unlocking wins for brewers.

Jones says: “We can go looking for home runs all day long, but at some point, you’ve got to have the base hitters. You gotta have the guys when they step up to the plate, you’re gonna move the game forward.”

Then, the Kroeners discuss their methodical approach to brand building and why it has worked for the family-owned and run Midwestern-based canned cocktail brand. They also dish on Carbliss’ entry into warm weather markets such as Florida and being one of the most successful brands that people have never heard of. 

Before the interviews, Justin, Jess and Zoe recap the latest industry news, including Brooklyn Brewery outsourcing sales to U.S. Beverage, BeatBox’s forthcoming Chillitas line, Surfside’s lawsuit against Anheuser-Busch InBev over Skimmers hard tea and George Clooney joining the non-alcoholic beer game.

Listen here or on your preferred podcast platform. 

The annual Brewbound Awards are accepting nominations for 2025, but not for long! Submitting a nomination guarantees the brand, product or person will be considered by our selection committee and included on the published list of nominees. The deadline to submit is now Wednesday, November 5. 

The nomination deadline HAS BEEN EXTENDED to this Wednesday (11/5)! 

Submit your Brewbound 2025 award nominations.

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