The bev-alc industry can no longer blame Gen Z for slowed sales, according to a new IWSR survey. 

74% of Gen Z respondents (from the LDA in each nation to 28 years old) said they consume bev-alc, up from the 66% reported when the survey was first conducted 3 years ago, which fueled concerns over the generation’s drinking habits, according to IWSR’s latest biannual Bevtrac survey.

The latest survey results place Gen Z more in line with drinking rates for total LDA consumers, which hit 76% in the latest survey.

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21st Amendment (21A) seems to have run up a sizable tab with the TTB before it closed last year.

The TTB claimed the brewery owed more than $1.2 million because it “failed to timely file and/or pay excise tax” between January 18, 2018, and November 30, 2025. 21A has agreed to $423,681.93 as an offer in compromise (OIC), which will be paid in full, according to the TTB.

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The National Black Brewers Association (NB2A) is now operating as a board-run enterprise led by president Annie McGinnis. 

McGinnis’ appointment follows the departure of founding executive director Kevin Asato, who left the NB2A in April. Asato was tapped to lead the group when it launched in 2023 as the first and only trade association dedicated to supporting Black-owned craft breweries, which account for about 1% of all craft breweries in the country. 

Read more, including an update on the NB2A’s bespoke hop blend from Roy Farms

Hemp beverages are booming despite a looming regulatory ban.

The category grew 133% year-over-year between 2024 and 2025, according to a new report by the Hemp Beverage Alliance (HBA).

Intoxicating hemp-derived drink volume grew to more than 1.6 million CEs, up from 692,435 in 2024, while points of distribution rose 129% from 133,465 to 305,653 in the same period, according to the Future of Drinking Report.

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Experience Three founder Liz Einhorn walks through the decision tree for bev-alc companies considering opening an airport outpost on this week’s Brewbound Podcast.

Einhorn shares the pros and cons of operating in the space, the challenges of keeping up with demand and the pitfalls companies should avoid. Look for it midweek.  

Plus, get ready for a data-packed week, with the return of 3 Up, 3 Down with 3 Tier Beverages, the latest weekly scan reports and much more.

Boston Beer is trying to cover the full spectrum of life events – good and bad – and the latest marketing effort for Twisted Tea depends on your perspective. 

Boston dropped the Twisted Tea “Split Pack,” to be divvied up in a divorce, which caught the eye of Insider’s Week in Beer newsletter writer Sean McNulty. As Sean cautions, it may be time to worry if this pack shows up in your fridge. 

Catch up on all of the headlines of the last week, including Malort wanting to know about “your first time” with the liqueur. Speaking of unforgettable life events.

Catch up on these trending headlines. Become a Brewbound Insider to gain full access to these stories and more.

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• NIQ: July 4 Lift Still Leaves Bev-Alc Sales in the Red

• As RNDC Unwinds, Suppliers Chase Payments, Routes to Market

Brewbound Live will return to L.A. this December 9 & 10. The conference for beverage-alcohol professionals will feature 2 packed days of insights, conversations and networking at the Marina del Rey Marriott.

This Year's Keynote: Allagash Brewing Company founder Rob Tod and VP of human resources & organizational development Celine Frueh will give this year’s keynote address.

Crafting Company Culture: The duo will share how the Portland, ME-headquartered craft brewery has created and nurtured a company culture that is the envy of the industry. They'll explain how investing in and staying true to its culture has been a foundational piece in building Allagash into a top 20 craft brewery.

Tickets are available now for the gathering of founders, entrepreneurs, sales leaders, marketers, c-suite executives, retailers, distributors and suppliers from across the industry.

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