After nearly 7 years in various capacities, Dr. J Jackson-Beckham will depart the Brewers Association (BA) at the end of June, she announced yesterday. Jackson-Beckham shifted to her role as director of member services in January amid a leadership reorganization. Previously, she led the BA’s diversity, equity and inclusion work. 

Insiders are reading more about Jackson-Beckham’s tenure at the BA.

Insiders are also checking out comments from Tilray Brands CEO Irwin Simon, who seems to moonlight as a cultural anthropologist. During TD Cowen’s Future of the Consumer Conference earlier this week, Simon shared observations of consumers’ bev-alc behavior from a dinner out to a house party his 4 LDA children hosted last week.

In addition to those stories, Insiders are learning about people moves at Pilot Project and the BA’s latest response to aluminum tariffs. 

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Merchandise remains an important piece of Rhinegeist Brewery’s business, and the Cincinnati brewery is leveling up under the guidance of merchandise director Jenny Morrissey. 

Morrissey and Rhinegeist VP of marketing Tracey Ireland share the evolution of the company’s merch strategy from “marketing tool” to an individual business unit aimed at forging emotional connections with the brewery’s fans. 

Ahead of the interview, the Brewbound team talks through Republic National Distributing Company’s (RNDC) exit from California. Plus, the trio play Another Round or Tabbing Out on the creation of family-friendly spaces, and Almanac CEO Damian Fagan’s distaste of the word “taproom.” 

Listen here or on your preferred podcasting platform. 

Director of member resources Dr. J Jackson-Beckham will leave the Brewers Association (BA) at the end of the month, after 7 years with the trade group.

Jackson-Beckham announced the news on LinkedIn. She did not share her future plans, noting she is “open to opportunities." 

With Jackson-Beckham’s departure, the BA “plans to shift internal member resources staff through this transition,” a spokesperson told Brewbound. 

Insiders can read more, including a statement from the BA and a look back at Jackson-Beckham’s involvement with the trade group.

Tilray Brands chairman and CEO Irwin Simon doesn’t believe the narrative that drinkers – including the youngest LDA consumers – are giving up alcohol. 

Simon shared several anecdotes informing his thinking during TD Cowen’s Future of the Consumer Conference earlier this week.

“I got 4 kids, and they're all over 21, and I had 100 kids at my house for a party last week, and I didn't see one of them walking around not with a drink in their hand,” Simon shared, adding that “to my dismay, they weren't drinking non-alc.”

Simon also recalled going to dinner the night before with CFO Carl Merton.

“When I go to restaurants, I walk [by] every table to see who has a drink. It was a Monday night, and everybody had a drink on their table. So it’s not dry Monday yet.”

Insiders can read more about Tilray’s craft strategy, its portfolio rationalization, the investments made behind those brands and Simon’s thoughts on the potential for intoxicating hemp in the U.S.

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