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🔐 What You're Missing |
| | Off-premise scans continue to fuel optimism for Circana’s Scott Scanlon, who made the bold claim this week that “beer is back.” At least, it is for the first three months of 2026 – and off bad 2025 comps. In Today’s Top Story, Brewbound Insiders are diving into the data behind Scanlon’s claims, including a boost in sales during the week of St. Patrick’s Day. In today’s Brewbound Insider Newsletter and on Brewbound.com, Insiders are also reading about: Eagle Park Brewing & Distilling’s RTD acquisition and total beverage ambitions; Why the hemp industry is pessimistic that a halt to November’s ban will happen in time; A YTD bev-alc trends check in from 3 Tier Beverages; A new RTD from some of the team behind Casamigos (Clooney excluded); Another big swing on a golf course by a craft brewery;
And some familiar brand additions for Andrews Distributing. Insiders also have access to the Brewbound Newsletter Archive, including previous newsletter-exclusive Insider content. Become a Brewbound Insider today! Or, be in the know on all food and beverage news from Brewbound, BevNET and NOSH with Insider All Access. |
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📰 Today's Top Story |
| | | Circana’s Scott Scanlon is making the bold claim “beer is back.” “Dare we suggest again the death of alcohol may have been greatly exaggerated,” Circana’s EVP of BevAl wrote in the market research firm’s latest weekly report. “Traditional spirits is facing challenges, but [we] believe wine negativity has bottomed, RTDs continue to outperform/expand and beer … well, looking at the data so far in 2026, beer is back!” Scanlon’s enthusiasm follows total bev-alc topping $1.27 billion in sales in the week ending March 22, marking a 1.5% increase YoY. Volume was also in the black, increasing 0.5% YoY, to nearly 30 million cases. Dive deeper |
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📅 Save the Date |
| | Start your CBC week with the Brewbound team and industry peers at Love City Brewing. We are excited to host a networking happy hour from 5-7 p.m. on Sunday, April 19, at Love City’s Callowhill taproom, a short walk from the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The event offers an opportunity for brewers, leaders, suppliers and other industry professionals to connect ahead of a busy week of educational sessions and visits to the trade show. During the gathering, Brewers of Pennsylvania executive director Hannah Ison will share insights from the guild’s efforts to support and advocate for Keystone State craft brewers this year. Learn more |
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📝 Brewbound Headlines |
| | | Another WI craft beverage producer is moving into trending categories. WI’s Eagle Park Brewing & Distilling has acquired SoulBoxer Cocktail Co., setting the stage for Eagle Park’s further expansion into canned cocktails spanning alcoholic, non-alcoholic and THC-infused formats. Eagle Park Brewing joins WI’s Tatterstall and Central Standard looking for greener pastures in RTD and THC-infused beverages, even as a ban on intoxicating hemp products looms. Keep reading |
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| | | If there’s a stay of execution for hemp beverages, it’ll probably be at the last minute. That’s what hemp lobbyists and industry groups are starting to believe about the potential for a reprieve from the upcoming November 12 THC ban, according to the Coalition for Adult Beverage Alternatives (CABA). In a webinar Thursday, CABA chair Diana Eberlein cautioned members to be prepared for the slow-moving nature of Congress and the added pressure on legislators of an election year. Keep reading |
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📊 Data Dive |
| | 3 Tier Beverages is back with another quarterly report & data deck on our CPG business resources hub Nombase, exclusive for Insiders. The YTD 2026 Beverage Performance report highlights a market undergoing a meaningful recalibration, with modest top-line declines masking significant structural shifts. Learn more |
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🆕 New On Shelves |
| | | The former executive team behind Casamigos (minus its celebrity owners) is making another move in the bev-alc industry with Por Qué No, an RTD that combines tequila and vodka. The debut lineup launches with 2 flavors – Mango Guava and Watermelon Pineapple Chili Lime – packaged in 12 oz. cans at 4.5% ABV, 100 calories and no added sugar. 4-packs carry a suggested retail price of $12.99. Read more |
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👀 ICYMI |
| | | Firestone Walker is taking over U.S. production of Trumer Pils and acquiring the U.S. rights of the craft pilsner from The Gambrinus Company, the companies announced Friday. All Trumer Pils production for the U.S. market will transition from Gambrinus’ Trumer Brewery in Berkeley, CA, to Firestone Walker’s Paso Robles operations. The production transition is expected to be complete by “early June 2026,” with Gambrinus “winding down operations” in Berkeley, according to the spokesperson. Learn more |
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💼 Now Hiring |
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👋 That's all for today's Brewbound Newsletter |
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