Brewbound Podcast Brewbound

Fishers Island Lemonade founder Bronya Shillo shares why she sold the nearly decade-old brand to Spirit of Gallo, the spirits division of E. & J. Gallo. 
 
The show turns into an unofficial M&A episode as the Brewbound team discusses FX Matt’s planned acquisition of Flying Dog Brewery, and the founders of Appalachian Mountain Brewery buying back the North Carolina craft brewery from Anheuser-Busch InBev. 
 
Justin, Jess and Zoe also break down the latest headlines, including Massachusetts revoking Gopuff’s liquor license for allegedly selling and delivering alcoholic beverages to underage drinkers, beer’s economic impact, and the Human Rights Campaign suspending A-B’s perfect score due to its handling of the Bud Light controversy. Plus, the team plays Another Round or Tabbing Out.

The Brewbound team reunites to dish on the 2023 Craft Brewers Conference (CBC). Jess, Justin and Zoe discuss the Brewers Association’s state and federal ambitions, the beer trade groups’ union against canned cocktail market access and tax breaks, and trade practice reform.
 
The team also recaps the 2023 economic impact of Russian River’s Pliny the Younger, wholesaler consolidation and plays a game of “Another Round or Tabbing Out,” featuring fake c-suite jobs, beer made with tulip petals and chicken-flavored beer.

This week’s Brewbound Podcast rebroadcasts two Brew Talks conversations from the 2023 Craft Brewers Conference. The first is an introduction to the National Black Brewers Association (NB2A), a newly formed trade group. Executive director Kevin Asato, Harlem Brewing founder Celeste Beatty and Black Frog Brewery owner Chris Harris share the NB2A’s mission and vision, explain the challenges Black and Brown brewers face receiving capital and stress the importance of mentorship. 
 
Then, three brewery leaders share their experiences with expanding their taproom presences in out-of-state markets. Monday Night Brewing’s Jeff Heck, Hi-Wire Brewing’s Adam Charnack and Weathered Souls Brewing’s Marcus Baskerville share their strategies, offer advice to others considering similar expansions and lay out the potential pitfalls. 
 
Plus, Brewbound’s Justin Kendall and Zoe Licata share their early takeaways from CBC, straight from the convention floor in Nashville.

Rhinegeist co-founder Bryant Goulding and interim CEO Adam Bankovich explain the change in leadership at the Cincinnati craft brewery that led to Bankovich’s promotion. They share their vision for the brewery’s next phase and how to tap into its full potential.
 
Goulding shares his experience in trying to step back from the day-to-day operations of the brewery and let others take the brewery to the next level.

Brewers Association president and CEO Bob Pease previews the 2023 Craft Brewers Conference, which will be held May 7-10 in Nashville. Pease offers tips to first-time attendees, shares his message to craft brewers as the segment matures, and offers his perspective on small brewery mergers and acquisitions and craft’s conflicting growth drivers.

Finback Brewery co-founder Basil Lee shares how the New York craft brewery is preparing for the 2023 Whale Watching festival in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Plus, Lee discusses plans to expand with another taproom in Long Island City and a farm brewery and building a diversified portfolio with spirits and coffee. 
 
The Brewbound team also reviews the Brewers Association’s rankings of the top 50 craft breweries by volume for 2022, Allagash’s move to Reyes in SoCal and parts of the Bay Area and new products coming out soon.