Asahi's Japanese production ops are still largely shut down after an early week cyberattack that has left the country at risk of running out of co's signature Super Dry, reports Bloomberg (and others). Representatives from Asahi said cyberthieves used ransomware to shut factories, and they may have stolen data as well. Co has resumed making some shipments manually but "it couldn't gauge when full operations would resume," per report. While Asahi's European and North American production remain unaffected, co's share price had fallen 7% on week as of Friday.

Marquette marketing prof and longtime ad agency exec Marty Stock penned Ad Age column out today extolling the virtues of Michelob Ultra as Ultra became #1 brand. Michelob Ultra "developed a badge based on its liquid promise of superior light beer," said Marty. "Anchoring the badge to a rational point of difference makes it less susceptible to shifting cultural tides," Marty added. "For the most part, Ultra has stayed on a fitness/activity strategy for 20 years. The executional tone may have shifted, but the badge hasn't. Consumers see Ultra as the better Bud Light," according to Marty, "partly because Bud Light never developed" an equal claim. "Bud Light was really fun and popular until it wasn't." (It's still a very big beer brand, but its sales keep declining.)

Sun Cruiser has lots planned for fall as co touts its strong performance on premise and off premise. Sun Cruiser ranked as the #1 RTD Tea in Circana MULC + Liquor stores for 4 wks thru Sep 21 and is #4 brand family in entire RTD category. On premise, Sun Cruiser is "pulling faster than any other RTD player" as it gets "incredible traction in bars and restaurants," shared Taylor Jette, senior mgr of communications for Boston Beer Co. Sun Cruiser "contributed more incremental dollars" than any other brand family on-prem, "blowing past Guinness and Athletic - everyone," said Taylor. She noted too, at megaretailer Walmart it's the #1 RTD for 13 wks thru Sep 14, per Circana Walmart scans.

Summit Beverage's already sprawling portfolio will soon be a bit bigger. The beer (primarily MC/STZ), wine, spirits and NA bev distributor will acquire the assets of fellow Montana wholesaler George's Distributing, a statewide wine and craft beer house, in deal set to close on Dec 31, cos announced. After that, George's will continue to operate independently under the Summit umbrella, maintaining its "name, culture and talented team while gaining access to new resources that will help us grow substantially."

Those hoping for signs of improvement didn't get their wish as Sep BPI came in at a still-super-soft 28 index. Down 3 pts vs yr ago and up just 1 from lowest-ever BPI recorded last mo. (Recall, a reading above 50 signals expansion of beer distrib orders while below 50 signals contraction.) With at-risk inventory at 48, "this combination of index readings signals a continued contractionary state as the industry begins the fourth quarter," NBWA wrote in release.

This week in 1992, the Texas ABC pushed back against AB, Miller, Coors and Heileman with "cease and desist" letters after they hiked prices to a wholesaler as a response to wholesaler pricing decisions, wrote INSIGHTS. That's a "reachback," warned Tex ABC as it cited brewers for actions taken in 1990-91 and warned any future violations will result in "suspension of license." Tex ABC Asst Admin Randy Yarborough shared some examples: AB bumped one distrib 3 cents per case 55 days after distrib went up a nickel more than AB recommended; Miller bumped a distrib up 3 cents after it went up a nickel more than recommended during a similar period. Coors went up 4 cents after a distrib went up a dime higher than recommended and Heileman upped price to distrib by 52 cents 45 days after co took a 75-cent price increase. These actions "constitute fixing or maintenance of the profit margin," said Randy.

The 31st annual Beer Insights Seminar is just over 1 month away! Sign up now to reserve your spot at this premier industry event, packed with exclusive insights and unparalleled networking Nov 9-10 in New York City. Our program pinpoints what's working for several of the hottest brands in the industry, including Surfside, Guinness and Garage Beer. You'll also hear from top execs at Constellation and Gallo on how longtime growth leaders are fostering new opportunities. Plus, don't miss a state of the industry overview presented by BMI, with more speakers to be announced soon.

Constellation Brands announced that evp and chief legal officer Jim Bourdeau will be retiring as clo on Feb 28, 2026 after more than 10 yrs at the co. Jim will transition to an evp and senior advisor role for STZ, while svp and senior legal counsel Jeff Lebarge will succeed him. Jeff joined co in 2016 and has "held legal leadership roles with increasing responsibility in various divisions of the company," per press release.

Sazerac's latest addition to the portfolio is Western Son Vodka and Distillery, a TX-based small batch spirits co, acquired for an undisclosed sum. Co also recently made interesting additions in the RTD space, taking on Fresca Mixed, Minute Maid Spiked and soon-to-launch Fresca Hard brands for Coca-Cola's Red Tree Beverage (see Sep 9 issue) and partnering with Andrews Dist to co-create 3 new RTD brands (see Sep 29 issue). Between latest additions to the portfolio, planned Super Bowl spot and top growth/share gain in total spirits and wine RTDs (fueled by BuzzBallz), Sazerac's staying aggressive.