Firestone Walker has hired Tony Amaral as chief sales officer, the Paso Robles, California-headquartered craft brewery announced late Friday.

Amaral, a 30-year beer industry veteran, had served as head of sales for Heineken-owned Lagunitas Brewing since April 2021. He joined the Petaluma, California-headquartered brewery in 2016, working in sales and distributor management roles.

“Tony comes to us with a suitcase full of insight, deep relationships and familiar beer instincts,” COO Nick Firestone said in a press release. “His addition to the team strengthens our ability to win share and helps unlock the full potential of our brands.”

Looking at Firestone Walker’s off-premise trends year-to-date (YTD) through June 18, per market research firm Circana: 

• Dollar sales declined -9.5%, to $47.4 million;
• Volume (case sales) declined -13.5%; 
• Share of beer category dollar sales stands at 0.23%, down -0.03%, compared to the same period in 2022;
• 805, the company’s top-selling beer, is the 10th best-selling craft beer YTD;
• 805 sales through mid-June have declined -7%, to nearly $30 million, while volume has dipped -11.8%. 

As summer set in, 805 sales have improved over the last four weeks, increasing +0.3%, to nearly $5.6 million, while case sales are down -1.6%, per the firm.

In 2022, Firestone Walker's volume declined -3%, to 511,210 barrels of beer, according to data in the Brewers Association's New Brewer Magazine. The brewery ranked as the fourth-largest BA-defined craft brewery by volume as part of Duvel Moortgat USA, with Boulevard Brewing and Brewery Ommegang, collectively producing 688,210 barrels of beer in 2022.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Friday terminated its review period for Monster’s proposed acquisition of Vital Pharmaceuticals, the parent company of Bang Energy, clearing the way for the transaction to be completed later this month, according to an internal communication viewed by BevNET. 

“Late last night, the FTC officially communicated an early termination of their review period, clearing the way for the Monster and VPX transaction to progress to closing,” read a June 30 email titled “Important Team Update” sent to staff from interim CEO and chief transformation officer John DiDonato.

Monster was revealed as the winning bidder for Vital Pharmaceuticals in court documents filed last week in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Florida. 

In a press release Monday morning, Monster confirmed its purchase agreement for all of Bang’s assets, including its beverage production facility in Phoenix, Arizona.

A sales hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, July 12. Read the full story here.

Blake Lively is the newest celebrity to jump into the booze world, although she’s already had one foot in the door.

Lively’s Betty Buzz, a sparkling mixer brand, announced its newest venture last week: Betty Booze, a line of low-alc, premium sparkling cocktails.

The launch is part of the company’s strategy “to win new audiences and occasions by challenging conventions of taste in sparkling beverage – and beyond,” read a statement.

Lively, who doesn’t drink alcohol, captioned an Instagram post:

“@bettybooze for those who want the alcohol. …Because that’s what hosts do. We make something for everyone. And not usually ourselves. Wait, I’m describing moms now.”

Specs:

• Three flavors: Sparkling Tequila with Lime Shiso, Sparkling Tequila with Oak Smoked Lemonade, and Sparkling Bourbon with Apple Ginger Sour Cherry.
• 4.5% ABV
• Made from “high-quality fruits, spices, herbs, and spirits;”
• Available in 4-packs of 12 oz cans for $14.99.

Read the full story from Spirits editor Ferron Salniker here.

Hillsboro, Oregon-based Backwoods Brewing announced plans for a new satellite pub in downtown Hillsboro.

Backwoods will be the anchor tenant of the Main Street Commons development inside a former U.S. Bank building. The pub space is 7,800 sq. ft., with a 3,000 sq. ft. rooftop bar. 

From Backwoods owner and COO Tom Waters:

“I’ll admit it, there’s a lot going on at Backwoods right now, and we’re all working a decent

amount of overtime to bring it all together. But the feeling of doing so many fun things all at once is pretty hard to beat, and there’s an air of excitement among our whole crew.”

Read more on what Backwoods has going on in the press release.

Birmingham, Alabama-based Ghost Train Brewing has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Birmingham Business Journal reported.  

Within its filing, Ghost Train detailed plans for an acquisition of the brewery’s assets by PCI GT Brewing, which will pursue a $3.5 million loan from ServisFirst Bank to complete the acquisition, according to the report. 

Ghost Train will remain open for now, with a confirmation hearing scheduled for August. The brewery has not posted anything about the filing or changes on its social media accounts.

The New Jersey Senate unanimously passed bipartisan legislation last week that would repeal several restrictions on the state’s craft breweries. The bill was quickly passed by the state’s general assembly and is awaiting the governor’s signature, according to a press release from the Brewers Guild of New Jersey.

New Jersey craft breweries have been subject to license conditions since July 2022, including restrictions on to-go beer sales, the barring of operating a restaurant or selling food and limitations on brewery events to 25 per year. 

Restrictions automatically renewed on July 1, so it is unclear whether they will be eased immediately if Gov. Phil Murphy signs the bill.

Insiders can read previous coverage on the bill and its movement here.

It’s been a minute. Here are some of the things you have missed in last week’s holiday haze:

• Brewbound editor Justin Kendall chats with Artisanal Brewing Ventures CEO John Coleman;
• Spirits editor Ferron Salniker has several spirits- and RTD-focused stories, including the relaunch of Haus, Diageo and Diddy cutting ties and dive into what Tepache’s all about;
• Constellation Brands shares its Q1 2024 results, celebrating the continued growth of Modelo and its flavored-forward innovations; 
• Brewers Association chief economist Bart Watson dives into why consumers are choosing craft more – or less – and other bev-alc attributes that factor into consumer buying decisions following the trade group’s annual Harris Poll;
• Plus, more data from NIQ and the June Beer Purchasers’ Index from the National Beer Wholesalers Association.

Provi, an online bev-alc industry marketplace, and SevenFifty Daily, an online business magazine, have relaunched their career and salary survey to give “an in-depth look at workplace trends for trade professionals” across bev-alc. 

From SevenFifty Daily editor-in-chief Courtney Schiessi Magrini:

"We encourage all industry professionals to take part in this survey and share their valuable perspectives. The insights gathered will help us collectively shape the future of the beverage alcohol industry and ensure its continued growth and success."

The survey will remain open until July 19. Check it out.