Beer Marketer's Insights
The 31st annual Beer Insights Seminar is coming right up Nov 9-10 at the New York Athletic Club in New York City, and seats are filling up fast! Don't miss your chance to attend this premiere event: sign up today to reserve your spot alongside a first-rate group of beer industry leaders.
Boston Beer's Emerald Hour "cocktail inspired" THC gummies are now available at dispensaries across Ontario and Alberta, co shared this wk. The first gummy rollout is "Peach & White Grape," which contains 5mg of THC and "packaged in discreet purse - and pocket-friendly two-pack containers," per announcement. They are 100% vegan. "Emerald Hour gummies are made for the discerning cannabis consumer. Infused with live rosin and solventless diamonds, they deliver a full-spectrum cannabis experience in pocket-friendly, sustainable packaging," said Paul Weaver, Toronto-based head of cannabis for Boston Beer. Recall, the gummies expand on Boston Beer's Emerald Hour cannabis cocktail line that launched in Canada this past Jan. Co noted drinks are now available in over 600 dispensaries across Canada.
High Rise THC Bevs Doubled Distribution w/ 10 New States & Counting; #4 THC Bev by $$, #2 Growth
Charleston-based hemp THC bevco High Rise is on the move, adding lotsa distribution and picking up top-tier growth within the category this yr, co shared with INSIGHTS. High Rise added 10 states so far this yr, bringing it to 20 total with "more in the works," spokesperson noted. Combo of expansion mkts and new 10mg THC lineup that debuted earlier this yr drove High Rise to "the #4 THC beverage brand in total dollars and the #2 brand in total revenue growth" in tracked grocery and c-store channels over the last 52 wks thru Aug 10, co noted citing SPINS total MULC data. Latest addition to the lineup is 10mg raspberry THC seltzer, available in 4pk 12oz cans and via its new "High Horizon Collection" variety 8pk, alongside pineapple, blood orange and blueberry flavors. Each 10mg seltzer also includes 5mg CBD "for a smooth, balanced buzz at any experience level," release notes. All High Rise bevs are made with "real fruit, organic cane sugar and no artificial flavors," clocking in at 5mg and 10mg levels.
Court Battle Brewing for Bira 91, Which Counts Kirin as Largest Shareholder; Possible Bankruptcy?
An ownership battle is underway for one of India's highest-profile craft beer companies, whose biggest shareholder happens to be Kirin Holdings. Amid increased financial struggles for Bira 91's parent co B9 Beverages, Kirin (which has invested tens of millions and held a 20.1% share as of Jun) and the company's largest lender, Anicut Capital, took control of its wholly-owned subsidiary The Beer Cafe. But the move is being challenged in India's courts by B9 founder Ankur Jain.
Congo Brands, which after splitting with 3-D Energy and selling off Alani Nu has been focused only on declining Prime hydration and energy brand, appears to have dissolved its entire field sales div, from what our sibling pub Beverage Business INSIGHTS has heard at press time. Move comes as brand has been losing ground at retail, including losing spot in Kroger hydration set, despite efforts to upgrade formula and generate buzz via Lunchables tie-in. Still, many of its distribution partners have stuck with brand amid alc bevs' recent declines and departure of promising NA brands like Alani Nu and Ghost. Prime volume continued its skid in latest scans, with volume off 46.2% on 6.4% avg price cut for 4 wks thru Oct 18, per NielsenIQ data reported by Goldman Sachs. Over 52 wks, Prime sales down to $250 mil.
More changes among Boston Beer's exec team came in late this afternoon. Its chief people officer Carolyn O'Boyle is "stepping down after more than five years" in that role, to be replaced by nearly 25-yr HR vet at Boston Beer, Laura Boynton, who was approved by the board today. Caroyln's "departure is not related to any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to its operations, policies, or practices," co noted. She's officially leaving on Nov 7, 2025 to assist with transition. Laura first joined Boston Beer in 2001 serving in "numerous human resources roles" including "most recently as Sr. Director of HR Business Partners," since Aug 2024. She now reports directly to both ceo Jim Koch and recently promoted coo Philip Hodges.
Hemp, Cannabis Suits: VA Beer Distrib, OH Brewer Sued Over Hemp Sales; WY Hemp Law Upheld; More
In ever-swirling storm of hemp-related lawsuits, the rising pressure hemp puts on legal cannabis bizzes finally struck members in each tier of the alc bev biz in Virginia. Suit filed in VA state ct Monday by owners of dispensaries working under state's medical cannabis program claims that sellers of intoxicating hemp products in violation of state law unlawfully cut into their biz. Suit targets a single hemp bev brand, claiming a conspiracy among entire supply chain: brand-owner Coastalo; producer Urban Artifact, an OH-based craft brewer; in-state distrib Specialty Bev, a Sheehan Family Co; retailer Total Wine; and delivery co Doordash.
Avg beer prices are up less as yr goes on in NIQ data, with a number of pressure points emerging this fall. Beer prices up 41 cents, 1.3% for last 4 weeks thru 10/18 in NIQ. That's a dime less than yr-to-date. And it's notable that biggest change is in hottest segment. Avg NA beer prices down 72 cents, almost 2% for 4 weeks, while category $$ sales still up 15% and volume up 17% in this data set. That includes a nearly $1 per case drop for Athletic and almost a $4 per case drop for Heineken 0.0. Athletic is still almost $42 per case and Heineken NA is at almost $39 per case. So they ain't exactly cheap. Corona NA down a couple bucks per case too. Some of that's due to mix shifts toward larger pack sizes. Some due to recent promo activity on brands like Heineken 0.0. But could some of these price cuts also be because of pressure created by Michelob Ultra Zero, avg price of $32.36 in last 4 weeks?
Before Rockaway Soda there was Owney's Run. Now Bridget Firtle, the creator of both, has reclaimed Owney's from its strategic buyer Proximo Spirits, another Zico-like example of founder reclaiming distinctive brand that found itself lost in shuffle of big co portfolio. "Most founders dream of exits - I dreamt of buyback," per statement in announcement yesterday. Implications for Rockaway Soda, the canned refresher she launched in 2020? "Staying the course," she told us. Owney's relaunch in 2026 means "hopefully some nice synergies between the two on the horizon!" A former hedge fund investor, Firtle launched Owney's in 2012 and forged tie to Proximo just 5 years later as nation's rum renaissance was picking up steam, moving to full exit in 2020.
POLICY: Raw Milk Proponent Casey Means Heads to Senate Confirmation Tomorrow as Surgeon General
Influencer Casey Means, who espouses benefits of raw milk while questioning safety of children's vaccines, has been scheduled to appear before Senate tomorrow seeking confirmation as nation's next Surgeon General. She's planning to testify about her plans to put "Americans back on the road toward wholeness and health," per prepared testimony that ABC News said it's obtained. She will testify about her plans to encourage Americans to "join in a great national healing," focusing on "healing and prevention" rather than "overmedicalization," ABC reported. "Her academic achievements, together with her life's work, are absolutely outstanding," President Trump wrote in nominating her a few mos ago. "Dr Casey Means has the potential to be one of the finest Surgeon Generals in United States History." In advanced state of pregnancy with first child, she'll testify virtually.