Over the course of the last year, import beer has gone from one of the few beer segments in growth, to yet another in decline, affected most acutely by macroeconomic headwinds and global trade moves. 

In today’s Brewbound Insider Newsletter Top Story and on Brewbound.com, Insiders are diving into what has happened to the segment, how it’s impacted major brewer Constellation Brands and import trends beyond Mexico.

Insiders are also reading about:

• Molson Coors eliminating 400 roles this year;
• Duvel’s lofty Belgian import goals;
• A Chicago hermit-crabbing;
• A Shark Tank star’s call to adapt;
• And watching Samuel Adams’ latest Boston sports collab.

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

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If the beer industry had a dollar for every time someone said “we’re controlling what we can control,” the category would possibly be in the black this year.

That mantra has been reiterated by leaders across the spectrum, from the global giants at Constellation Brands and Molson Coors, to the regional craft folks. It’s all in an attempt to hold onto something of structure as the industry tackles numerous macroeconomic headwinds and their impact on consumers, including inflation, ICE raids and the most unpredictable of all: tariffs.

The latter is being felt by the entire beer industry, mainly due to Section 232 tariffs on aluminum and steel. But headwinds have compounded for import beer, which has recorded a starkly different performance in 2025 compared to 2024 – turning one of beer’s few growth segments into another loss contributor.

In a story initially published in BevNET Magazine, Brewbound senior reporter Zoe Licata dove deeper into import beer trends from Mexico and beyond, as well as the impact on Constellation Brands’ import-heavy portfolio and how NA offerings are providing some bright spots. 

Insiders can read the full story here. 

Molson Coors Beverage Company will eliminate around 400 salaried positions across its Americas business unit by the end of December, the company announced today in a Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 

The cuts amount to around 9% of Molson Coors’ salaried Americas workforce, “including hundreds” of open roles and others “granted voluntary severance” as part of the restructuring.

Insiders can read more here.

Duvel is aiming to be the top-supplier of Belgian imports, which would require “eclipsing a 27% share,” Duvel USA chief commercial officer Bobby Dykstra shared with distributors earlier this month. 

Duvel currently sits at a 13% share, split between the Duvel (7.5% share) and Chouffe (6%) brand families. The goal in 2026 is to reach a 15% share, which “will require continued growth from Duvel and Chouffe.” 

Insiders can read more about Duvel leaders’ growth plan in 2026.

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Threes Brewing head brewer Josh Penney joins the Brewbound Podcast this week to tap into the latest brewing trends, hop selection, hop water and taproom favorites. 

Plus, the NBWA and Fintech will host a webinar Thursday afternoon on the industry’s trends through Q3. Look for coverage on Brewbound.com. 

Additionally, expect updates on Sapporo’s 2026 plans, the latest Circana craft scans through early October and BeatBox’s next brand. 

If you thought the beer industry has had it rough of late, take a look at the wine industry’s trends. Insider’s Week in Beer weekend newsletter writer Sean McNulty touches on the recent Wall Street Journal story – “California’s Wine Industry is in Crisis – and consumers’ price ceiling being at $20 a bottle now. So maybe share an extra case with your friends in the industry. 

Also, catch up on the latest headlines, including Canadian beer judges saying no to AI. 

The Brewbound team recaps the 2025 Great American Beer Festival (GABF) and the start of the NBWA’s Annual Convention and trade show, on the latest edition of the Brewbound Podcast, recorded in Las Vegas. 

Jess and Zoe share their experiences at GABF, including which legacy craft brewery brought the Party Bomb; festivalgoers’ reception for full-strength spirits; the return of timed special pours; mixing Pop Rocks and BeatBox; and the flamboyant embrace of costumes. 

The conversation shifts to NBWA convention’s first day, including the key theme of wholesaler independence from supplier interference shared by outgoing NBWA president and CEO Craig Purser and board chair Rebecca Maisel. They also discuss the underlying theme of beer as a social lubricant, including untapped events and occasions that could provide a boost to a soft beer category. 

Then, in this week’s featured interview, Maisel joins Justin to discuss her call for freedom for “undue supplier influence” and why distributors are questioning their supplier relationships. Maisel also dishes about her last ride on the NBWA board after 11 years, why drinkers are distracted and the growth of intoxicating hemp beverages. 

Listen here or on your preferred podcasting platform. 

The application deadline has been EXTENDED for the Brewbound Live Pitch Slam, the leading business pitch competition for emerging beer, beyond beer, and adult beverage brands. The competition will take place during Brewbound Live 2025, held in Marina del Rey, December 10 & 11.

The new deadline to apply is now by midnight Tuesday, October 21.

This year, the Pitch Slam gets a high-impact makeover: a new 1-day format, a tighter slate of finalists, and an intentional spotlight on innovation across RTDs, NA, cannabis, and beer categories.

The Brewbound Live Pitch Slam is open to early-stage adult beverage brands across beer, hard seltzer, hard cider, hard kombucha, RTD cocktails, THC-infused beverages and more. Whether you’re pre-launch with a product ready to sample or already in market for less than two years, we’re looking for disruptive brands with innovative concepts and the potential to scale. All applicants should be focused on the U.S. market and capable of providing packaged samples.

Space is limited. Apply Now >>

Plus, EARLY REGISTRATION for Brewbound Live ends this week. Register today to lock-in discounted tickets.

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Want to share news or tips? ✉️ Submit a press release or reach out to news@brewbound.com.

Interested in other beverage coverage? 👀 Check out the BevNET Daily Briefing covering the broader beverage industry, including energy drinks, cannabis and other non-alcoholic beverages. Want to stick to the hard stuff? Subscribe to our Spirits Newsletter (published every 2 weeks). 

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