HPA’s hyper focus on hop quality has also paid off, with this year’s oil content coming in equal or above the 5-year average. It should be a great year of true-to-type flavors and aromas in beer. Contact HAAS and their distribution partners to get your hands on some new crop 2024 Aussie hops today. Learn More

An estimated 1.884 billion hectoliters (hl), or 1.58 billion barrels, of beer were produced worldwide in 2023, a -0.9% decline year-over-year (YoY), according to global hop supplier BarthHaas in its annual report.

Brewbound dove into hop trends from the report last week, including an +11.5% increase in crop yield despite shrinking hop acreage. Some of the beer production numbers are estimates, as “it is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain figures for beer output volume for individual countries,” BarthHaas wrote. 

China continues to reign as the No. 1 beer producing country, making 359.08 million hl (301.14 million barrels) in 2023, equivalent to 19.1% share of global beer volume. The country’s production volume declined by -1.325 million hl (1.11 million barrels) compared to 2022, when China produced more than 360.4 million hl of beer (302.23 million barrels).

The U.S. ranked No. 2, with 10.2% share of global beer volume, producing 193.03 million hl of beer (161.89 million barrels) in 2023, down from 204.52 million hl (171.51 million barrels) in 2022. The U.S. was the only country in the Americas to record a production decline, and the only country to be on a downward trend since 2021, while all other major beer producing countries have remained relatively flat. 

Insiders can read more, including production volume for the remaining top 10 countries, and top brewery rankings.

Anheuser-Busch InBev-owned Goose Island has unveiled the lineup for the 32nd annual Bourbon County limited release.

The 2024 offerings include:

• 2024 Bourbon County Brand Original Stout (14.7% ABV), available in 16.9 oz. bottles and on draft, aged in Buffalo Trace, Heaven Hill, Four Roses and Wild Turkey bourbon barrels for an average of 16 months, with notes of “fudge, vanilla and caramelized sugar, with a rich, decadent mouthfeel;”
• 2024 Bourbon County Brand Vanilla Rye Stout (ABV TBD), available in 16.9 oz. bottles and on draft, inspired by Goose Island’s 2015 Vanilla Rye, with notes of “rich vanilla, toasted almond” and a “lingering spice finish;”
• 2024 Bourbon County Brand Macaroon Stout (ABV TBD), available in 16.9 oz. bottles and on draft, inspired by “late nights in the kitchen with mom” with notes of toasted coconut, dark chocolate and sweet ginger;
• 2024 Bourbon County Brand Proprietor’s Barleywine (ABV TBD), available exclusively in Chicago in 16.9 oz bottles and on draft, and the first barleywine under the Proprietor name, inspired by “Mexican spoon candy” and made with tamarind, lime, Guajillo chiles and piloncillo;
• 2024 Bourbon County Brand Bardstown Cask Finish Stout (ABV TBD), available in 16.9 oz. bottles, made in collaboration with Bardstown Bourbon Company, with notes of “vibrant” cherry, toasted oak and a “lingering herbal finish.” 

Goose Island president Todd Ahsmann said: “Goose Island created the world’s first bourbon barrel-aged stout with Bourbon County Brand Stout, and, to this day, it continues to be the industry benchmark. This year’s lineup does an amazing job of living up to our legacy while still pushing boundaries and setting the standard. There’s something exciting for every type of drinker; each beer in this year’s release explores different ways our brewers highlight and amplify the expressions found in our Original Stout.

"While I admittedly find myself reaching for Original Bourbon County Stout time and time again, this year’s vintage really stands out. Our brewers are experts in their craft, and I cannot wait to be able to share each and every beer in Goose Island’s 2024 Bourbon County Stout lineup with you.”

Goose Island’s annual release is always made available for Black Friday, this year landing on November 29.

Longtime COO Rachel Kiley has departed Atlanta-headquartered Monday Night Brewing for Sneaky Spirits, which she founded with her husband and Monday Night brewmaster Peter Kiley.  

Rachel Kiley will lead Sneaky Spirits as CEO. Its portfolio includes Yacht Water, Sneaky Pete Spirits and Pedro Furtivo Tequila. 

Sales VP Clint Wood will succeed Rachel Kiley as Monday Night COO. He joined the brewery in 2020.

Rachel Kiley was Monday Night’s first employee when it opened in 2012, according to a press release.

Monday Night is a “key partner, producer and investor in Sneaky Spirits,” co-founder and CEO Jeff Heck said in a release. Because the beverage companies are linked, Kiley will remain a “strategic advisor” in the craft brewery.

Kiley said in the release: “I have learned so much about the craft beverage manufacturing business throughout my 13 years at Monday Night Brewing, and am grateful to the Monday Night family for providing me with opportunities that have not only led to my personal and professional growth – but also inspired new passions. What started as an interest in craft beer and its community has blossomed over the years into a wider passion for distilled spirits and craft cocktails. 

“While it’s certainly bittersweet to make this shift, I’m really excited to dive into this new category, and to continue connecting people through our quality products.”

The Kileys launched Sneaky Spirits in January 2023. Peter Kiley will remain in his role as Monday Night’s brewmaster. 

Look out for coverage of not one, but two midyear industry updates hitting your feeds midweek. 

First, Brewers Association chief economist and VP of strategy Bart Watson will give a rundown on craft data trends through the first six months of 2023, including the results of the BA’s midyear production survey. 

Then, National Beer Wholesalers Association chief economist Lester Jones and Fintech VP of distributor strategy Eric Kiser will look at industry, brand and packaging trends in the on- and off-premise so far this year, and how they compared to 2023. 

Plus, a fresh Brewbound Podcast discussing Friday Beers, a light lager brand launched by an entertainment company that has turned viral memes and Gen Z/Millennial drinking culture into a business. Brewbound chats with Friday Media co-founder and CEO Jack Barrett and Corestone Capital founder and CEO Will McDonough.

Brewers Association (BA) president and CEO Bob Pease joined the Brewbound Podcast last week to discuss his impending 2025 retirement, what led to the decision and what he plans to do next. Pease and the Brewbound team also reflect on Pease’s 32 years with the BA, and how the trade organization has changed over the past three decades. 

Whoever takes over for Pease will help guide the BA through new dietary guidelines for bev-alc, which are being explored now and will be released in 2025. Two studies hoping to inform new guidelines have drawn the attention of media outlets outside of bev-alc. More details in the link above. 

Speaking of regulatory changes: BevNET spirits editor Ferron Salniker dove into crossover bev-alc guidance and the latest legislative moves impacting canned cocktails and convergence products, exploring highlights from McDermott Will & Emery’s midyear webinar. 

Ferron has you covered with two other spirits-focused stories from last week:

• Uncle Nearest Launches Mentorship Program to Support Bartenders and Cultivate Brand Advocacy
• Star Power? How Influencer and Celebrity Brands Are Faring In a Saturated Spirits Market

In data news, the cost of a pint has increased +13.2% at breweries in the three-year period ending December 2023, but price increases are not keeping pace with inflation, according to a report from BA staff economist Matt Gacioch, citing Arryved data. 

Gacioch’s report follows his and Watson’s exploration of the BA’s annual Harris Poll of consumers, which found that flavor is driving many of their purchasing decisions. At least 90% of poll respondents said flavor was very or somewhat important. 

In the on-premise, non-alc (NA) beer is outpacing total beer category growth, according to CGA, a on-premise arm of market research firm NIQ. Brewbound managing editor Jess Infante dove into CGA’s report, as well as the on-premise strategy of NA beer makers such as Athletic and Al’s. 

In the latest A Round With, a weekly Insider-exclusive feature for Brewbound Insiders, Short’s Brewing founder Joe Short and CEO Scott Newman-Bale discuss highlights from the Michigan brewery’s 20-year history, lessons learned along with way, and how Short’s is staying relevant with new consumers. 

Catch up on all these stories, as well as Saturday’s Week in Beer newsletter, on Brewbound.com.

They’re gonna need a bigger truck. Surfside sought the identity of a super fan over the weekend, with an Instagram post featuring a pickup truck with a pallet of cases of the brand’s hard tea in its bed.

“We couldn’t believe it when we saw you snagged a whole pallet of Surfside! Thank you for your support, but we have so many questions! To start, how did you get it into your house? Do you have a fridge the size of a Cadillac Escalade or did you convert your garage into a tropical oasis?”

Jersey Shore-based Brick Liquors piped up in the comments to confirm the purchase happened at the store for a July 4 house party.

Lavallette Liquors, where Jess has been on the Surfside beat, reported having sold more than 1,000 cases of the RTD in the first 11 days of July. 

Dollar sales of the RTD brand family have increased 999.3%, to $70.1 million, at total U.S. AOC + liquor plus + convenience year-to-date through June 15, according to market research firm NIQ. 

It’s time to book your room for Brewbound Live! Our two-day event for beer and beverage-alcohol professionals heads to Marina del Rey, California, on December 11 + 12. Register now to stay just steps from the action and save on your stay at the Marina del Rey Marriott Hotel (4100 Admiralty Way, Marina Del Rey, CA).

The Brewbound Live room block always sells out, so we encourage you to register today to secure your place among brewers, retailers, investors, distributors, beer leaders, and industry partners. Once registered, you will receive an email with the link to the discounted room block. Plus, right now you can take advantage of early registration pricing and save $100 per registration. Plan ahead to save and take advantage of both the room block and early registration discounts.

Attendees can look forward to expert presentations from brewery leaders, retailers, beverage-alcohol suppliers, wholesalers, and data providers, business conversations during scheduled networking breaks, the Brewbound Live Pitch Slam, samples of the latest innovations in the industry and the Brewbound Live Official Party, all set against the backdrop of sunny Southern California.

Register for Brewbound Live Winter 2024.