Brewbound Podcast

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Rob Tod on 30 Years of Allagash Mar 19, 2025

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Allagash Brewing will celebrate its 30th anniversary this summer, and founder Rob Tod knows where he'll be and what he'll be drinking on the brewery's birthday, July 1 – an Allagash White at the Great Lost Bear, the taphouse that served the first pint of White in Portland, Maine. "I remember it like it was yesterday. That was our very first draftline," Tod tells Brewbound managing editor Jess Infante on the latest episode of the Brewbound Podcast. "I shipped eight kegs of Allagash White to Nappi Distributors on June 29, and July 1 I worked at the brewery all day and my plan was to head down to the Bear where I knew it was going on tap at 5 o'clock, and just hang out for a few hours and having a bunch of beers. "I thought, my work's going to be done. I've spent a year building the brewery. I've written this recipe, I've brewed the beer. I'm kind of all done," he continued. Tod had a pint with the Bear's owners and was happy with it. He had a second pint and a realization hit him: "I've got to get back to work." "I got in my car and I drove right back to the brewery and kept working on whatever I was working on at the time just continuing to build and piece the brewery together," Tod said. "I've always felt like the work isn't done." In the conversation, Tod Tod discusses growing Allagash into the 15th largest Brewers Association-defined craft brewery by volume. He also explains what Allagash is looking for in distributor partners, how much capacity his brewery has left for expansion and why the brewery pulled back in the early 2000s. "We've really optimized how we can support a market, whether it's a really close local market like Boston or Minnesota, Colorado or even Los Angeles," Tod explained. "We really do feel like we've got a strong, competitive go-to-market plan and that we can do a really solid, optimized job supporting our distributor partners." Tod taps into Allagash's innovation approach that checks the boxes of "balanced, drinkability, complexity and authenticity" and how the launches of a lager, hazy IPA and variety pack feed into those pillars. Plus, the Brewbound team recaps the latest headlines and plays Another Round or Tabbing Out on Minute Maid Spiked's foray into lemonade, pink and otherwise.

Introducing...Nombase! Mar 17, 2025

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We're launching something BIG at BevNET, NOSH, and Brewbound, and you're invited to be the first to see it! Introducing Nombase — a new digital community and directory built for the CPG world. Nombase connects CPG professionals with trusted industry partners, AI-powered insights, timely conversations, company announcements, and job opportunities — all in one place. Join us for an exclusive overview, product demo, and info on how to take advantage of what Nombase has to offer you.

A St. Patrick's Day Primer with Guinness Mar 12, 2025

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Guinness is synonymous with U.S. St. Patrick's Day celebrations. National ambassador Ryan Wagner joins the Brewbound Podcast to discuss preparation for the holiday, how the Splitting the G viral phenomenon has played a role in the brand's upward trajectory and introduces it to new consumers. Wagner also discusses the on-premise rebound following the pandemic, what goes into creating a perfect Guinness pour and consumer learnings in recent months. Plus, the Brewbound team discusses the latest news coming out of Constellation Brands' Gold Network Summit with distributors, the New England Craft Beer Summit and the financial picture for the Brewers Association. Jess, Zoe and Justin also play Another Round or Tabbing Out on recent beyond beer innovation plays, including Constellation's Rule of Five hard punch; Boston Beer's Sinless vodka RTDs and Just Hard Squeezed FMB; and Barrel One's latest crossover brand with Crystal Light Vodka Refreshers.

World Brewing Alliance Justin Kissinger on Global Beer Hot Topics Mar 05, 2025

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World Brewing Alliance CEO Justin Kissinger dishes on the global beer market, non-alcoholic beer trends, the rise of West African ancient grain fonio and emerging markets. In addition, Kissinger dives into the dietary guidelines that are under review and may be revised. He also shares his favorite places in the world to drink beer. Plus, the Brewbound team recaps the latest earnings reports from Boston Beer, Monster and Anheuser-Busch InBev, including standout quotes from Boston Beer founder Jim Koch. And Another Round or Tabbing Out returns with the recent news that some major brewpub chains will begin selling domestics and imports.

An Energy Drink M&A Crash Course Feb 26, 2025

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In a very special crossover episode, BevNET managing editor Martín Caballero joins the Brewbound Podcast to break down the blockbuster Celsius/Alani Nu deal. Marty discusses what energy deals usually mean for the beer distributors that built the acquired brands, current trends in non-alc energy and functional drinks and what brewers can learn from the space. Then, Jess and Zoe get into recent beer news, including Brown-Forman's upcoming move to the Reyes network in California; proposed legislative changes in Georgia, Idaho and Maryland; and an upcoming departure from the Michigan craft scene (we miss you already, Carrie).

Non-Alc Beer Has a Record Dry January in Grocery Stores Feb 19, 2025

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January 2025 was a record month for non-alcoholic (NA) beer in grocery stores. NA beer claimed a 4.2% share of beer grocery sales during the month, according to NIQ food store data shared by Bump Williams Consulting. The Brewbound team discusses how Dry January shook out, plus why industry leaders are bullish on regional cider; how the dots connect between the Consumer Price Index for beer at home outpacing overall inflation and beer's 2024 summer slump; and who is keynoting the Brewers Association's Craft Brewers Conference in Indianapolis. Plus, Justin, Jess and Zoe play Another Round or Tabbing Out on a surprise bev-alc platform and the We Love LA collaboration beer effort.

Lawson's Finest CEO on a Decade of Sip of Sunshine Feb 12, 2025

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2025 marks a milestone year for Lawson's Finest Liquids and its flagship Sip of Sunshine IPA. How will the Vermont craft brewery celebrate? CEO Adeline Druart shares details on the latest Brewbound Podcast. Druart, who took over as CEO in June 2023, shares the keys to keeping Sip growing, including a commitment to cold-chain distribution. She also discusses the crossover of her previous life in dairy, with the addition of cheese to Lawson's taproom. The conversation also covers Lawson's expansion into North Carolina and Virginia, if more markets will follow, additions to the Sunshine family, B-Corp status and the brewery's Airbnb. Plus, the Brewbound team discusses Zoe's trip to CiderCon and her Super Bowl celebration, more ad talk and play a game of Another Round or Tabbing Out on Anheuser-Busch's American versus domestic and Ball recycling its aluminum cup business.

How New Orleans' Southern Eagle Preps for Super Bowl Sunday – and Mardi Gras Feb 05, 2025

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Super Bowl LIX (59) kicks off on February 9 in New Orleans. What's life like for the Anheuser-Busch distributor in one of the country's biggest party towns ahead of one of the beer industry's biggest days? Brandon Frederick, VP of sales; Greg Naquin, director of off-premise sales; and Kris Cutrell, director of on-premise sales walk through the preparations for the game, the expectations placed on them, the biggest pain points and much more. Plus, the Brewbound team recaps the latest news, including why beer is expected to be the winner on Super Bowl Sunday, how many Dry January adherents stuck to their abstinence pledges and a first-hand report from Lagunitas' annual Dog Pile distributor meeting. This week's game of Another Round or Tabbing Out tackles the slate of Super Bowl ads from Molson Coors and Anheuser-Busch, as well as Splitting the G copycats.

Pitch Slam Winner Hurray's Girl Beer Jan 29, 2025

Show notes

Hurray's Girl Beer won Brewbound's 2024 Pitch Slam competition during the Brewbound Live business conference last month in Marina del Rey, California. Founder Ray Biebuyck joins the Brewbound Podcast to discuss how Hurray's Girl Beer is working to reclaim the term "Girl Beer," the brand's post-ironic, satirical and humorous vibe and why it's attempting to create a discourse about women and beer. Biebuyck explains why she's interested in bringing women into the beer category, while getting her beer to stand out both on shelf and in social media algorithms. Hear more from Biebuyck in this week's featured interview. Plus, the Brewbound team dives into the latest news, including the split between the Brewers Association and the American Homebrewers Association and hard times at Sapporo-Stone and Monster Brewing. Also, Another Round or Tabbing Out returns with discussions around "faux-stalgia" lager brands, cannabev advertising and a surprising cameo by Angry Orchard.

The Year in Beer 2024 Jan 22, 2025

Show notes

A tough year for craft. Big changes at the Brewers Association. A billionaire saving Anchor from the abyss. Looming dietary guidelines for alcoholic beverages … 2024 was a whirlwind. To wrap up the year that was, the Brewbound team is joined by Christopher Shepard, senior editor of Beer Marketer's Insights, and Dave Infante, author of the Fingers newsletter and a contributing editor and columnist at VinePair. The quintet gives the inside scoop on covering some of the year's top stories, and dives into the news to watch in 2025.

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