Brewbound Insiders are getting a greater picture of the reason why Iron Hill ceased operations. Brewbound managing editor Jess Infante dug through the bankruptcy filings and found the company had piled up debts of more than $20 million, an assets nowhere near that figure. 

In today’s Brewbound Insider Newsletter and at Brewbound.com, Insiders are getting the details. Insiders are also reading about:

• Ohio’s temporary ban on intoxicating hemp;
• A-B’s new beyond beer leader;
• And a look at Montucky’s Flamin’ Hot display. 

Plus, all Brewbound readers have access to the Brewbound Podcast, featuring award-winning brewer Tonya Cornett. She shares her journey from working for A-B, to Tilray and now doing her own thing at Upp Liquids.

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

Become a Brewbound Insider today!

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Tonya Cornett thought she would end her career at 10 Barrel Brewing (Bend, OR). 

She joined the craft brewery in 2012, piled up competition medals for her beers and created a following at the brewery. She thrived as the brewery’s R&D brewmaster before and after its 2014 sale to Anheuser-Busch InBev (A-B). 

Then Tilray Brands acquired 10 Barrel and 7 other brands in 2023. A year later, the Canadian cannabis firm and brewery platform laid off Cornett and members of her team in a move that shocked many within the industry.

On this week’s Brewbound Podcast, Cornett discusses her journey over the last decade-plus and her next chapter with Upp Liquids, a new venture in the rebranded Immersion Brewing space. 

Cornett shares her experiences at A-B, how 10 Barrel and her role changed under Tilray’s ownership and her goals with Upp. 

As GABF kicks off in Denver, Cornett also explains how medals have served as a stamp of approval throughout her career and why they remain relevant. Cornett’s beers have received numerous competition medals throughout the years, including 28 medals at the Brewers Association’s (BA) GABF and World Beer Cup, not including 10 Barrel’s 2024 clean sweep of the German-style Sour Ale category during the 2024 GABF competition.

Before the interview, the Brewbound team runs through the latest headlines, including a big leadership shakeup at Molson Coors and Constellation Brands’ struggles as its largest consumer base remains under pressure. 

Listen here or on your preferred podcasting platform. 

Nearly 2 weeks after closing its restaurants indefinitely, brewpub chain Iron Hill Brewery has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey.

The company listed assets of $164,581.02 and liabilities of $20,013,291.14 owed to between 100 and 199 creditors. 

Insiders can read more here.

Ohio Governor Temporarily Bans Intoxicating Hemp Through Executive Order

OH Gov. Mike DeWine has announced an executive order to ban all intoxicating hemp products in the state, effective Tuesday, October 14.

The order will remain in effect for 90 days, but can be renewed by the state General Assembly.

Insiders can read more here.

Long-time Anheuser-Busch InBev (A-B) sales leader Jake Kirsch will take over as president of its U.S. beyond beer business, effective January 1.

Kirsch supplants Fabricio Zonzini, who has led the division since November 2019. Zonzini will relocate to Brazil to serve as VP of strategy for the South America Zone.

Insiders can read more about A-B’s beyond beer portfolio trends, recent distribution moves for those brands and more about Kirsch and Zonzini.

Beer is in the midst of “a fun crisis,” New Belgium Brewing CMO Rebecca Dye Yonushonis declared during the company’s distributor convention in Fort Collins last week. 

Craft admittedly “got a little serious,” and the plethora of choices on shelves proved to be “a little bit confusing,” leading to “choice overload” and dissatisfaction for drinkers, Dye Yonushonis explained.  

Those factors, along with an onslaught of macroeconomic headwinds, have contributed to craft’s downward trends (-5% dollars, -6.8% volume in NIQ-tracked channels YTD through September 20) and continued struggles to resonate with consumers who are gravitating to higher ABV and NA offerings, THC-infused beverages and RTDs. 

So New Belgium’s leaders decided to seek out the reasons why consumers’ behaviors in when, how and what they drink are shifting so rapidly. They found that the No. 1 occasion not meeting drinkers’ needs was “fun.” 

Insiders can read more about New Belgium’s strategy and trends. Plus, find out why CEO Shaun Belongie is optimistic some headwinds will turn to opportunities. Look for further coverage of the company’s innovation slate in November.

The application is now open 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.

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.

Why Apply?

• Stage Time: Pitch in front of hundreds of beverage alcohol industry decision-makers including strategics, distributors, and investors.
• Strategic Visibility: Get your brand in front of top-tier media, buyers, and potential partners, all in one room.
• Expert Feedback: Hear from seasoned judges with deep operational, retail, and investment experience.
• Access: Finalists unlock access to 1:1 meetings, networking, and breakout sessions designed to accelerate growth.

The deadline to apply is Wednesday, October 15, 2025. Space is limited. Apply Now >>

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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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