Podcast
Brewbound Podcast
Hosted by Brewbound · EN
The Brewbound Podcast is an extension of Brewbound's leading B2B beer industry reporting, featuring interviews with beer industry executives and entrepreneurs, along with highlights and commentary from the weekly news. New episodes are released every Thursday. Send comments and suggestions to podcast@brewbound.com.
30episodes
Episodes
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A CBC Primer with Brewers Association CEO Bart Watson
Mar 2500:53:04Tap to summarizeBrewers Association president and CEO Bart Watson believes the Craft Brewers Conference works best when it's "the big-tent event that everybody is coming to and connecting with." On the latest edition of the Brewbound Podcast, Watson explained that he views the largest annual gathering of craft brewers (April 20-22 in Philadelphia) in four buckets: Commerce via the BrewExpo trade show, where brewers connect with suppliers and learn about trends; Education, with a host of new voices on the speaker roster this year; Networking, with a more intentional approach and dedicated sessions; And fun. "CBC should be that week where you do all four of those things," he said. "But you come back recharged, energized with new ideas, new energy." The BA's membership base is primarily made up of brewpubs and taprooms, making hospitality and customer traffic "the thing that makes or breaks their businesses," he explained. "Craft is gonna win or lose with people wanting to come into breweries and then having a great experience or not having a great experience," Watson continued. As such, hospitality will be a key theme of this year's event, and the BA has tapped restaurateur Will Guidara, author of Unreasonable Hospitality, to give the event's opening keynote speech. "He's like a hospitality business 'Ted Lasso,'" Watson said. "He really brings a spirit and a positivity that is going to be welcomed in craft right now as people try to lean in, do better, grow in what's a challenging time but one where many people are still finding opportunities to thrive." Watson offered more insights in the interview, including the state of the industry. Before the interview, Jess and Justin recap a wild week of M&A, including Molson Coors finally nabbing its spirts-based RTD in Monaco/Atomic Brands and a flurry of big distributor consolidations with Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Reyes Beverage Group and Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC).
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From Blueberries to Boom Season: Baxter and Orono's Maine Strategy
Mar 1800:58:42Tap to summarizeMaine's craft brewing industry has always punched above its weight despite being among the smallest in population. The state ranked second in breweries (14.3 per 100,000 21+ adults) and economic impact per capita, and third in gallons (9.8) per 21+ adult in 2024, according to Brewers Association data. That outsized impact along with the state's robust tourism business gives Maine craft brewers a unique perspective on the industry's ebbs and flows. The latest edition of the Brewbound Podcast features two of those voices – Baxter Brewing president Jenn Lever and Orono Brewing co-owner Abe Furth – in separate conversations recorded during the New England Brew Summit. Both are also Maine Brewers Guild leaders and board members. Up first, Lever explained what it's like to navigate a business when seven months account for the lion's share of volume. "We're so proud to represent Maine year-round, but we also recognize the challenges that come when your population quadruples for less than half of the year," she said. "You've gotta be ready to activate and react as quickly as possible to that summer season. "The people that come to Maine the first time, it's never their last time." Lever also touched on how Baxter's mix shifts during the busy season, the loss of Canadian tourism amid strained international relations and why blueberry-flavored offerings have become big business for the company. Then, Furth discussed why guild participation remains important. He also shared why operating in a college town allows him to peer into the future and plan accordingly, and explained the importance of working through innovation plans with the brewery's distributors to find products that fill real whitespace in their portfolios. Before the interview, Justin and Jess recap Tilray's purchase of BrewDog's U.S. assets and the future of the platform. They also look at some not great shipment numbers to start the year and some not-so-bad scans.
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A Changing of the Guard at Oxbow
Mar 1100:40:08Tap to summarizeTwo months into her role as president of Portland, Maine-based Oxbow Brewing Company, Bri Warner is finding her groove and taking on more of the hands-on, day-to-day operations. The leadership transition allows founder Tim Adams to spend more time evangelizing for Oxbow and Rising Tide, which the company acquired in early 2025. Warner joined the brewery from Atlantic Sea Farms, the largest kelp farming operation in the country. The duo joined the Brewbound Podcast for a conversation recorded at Oxbow's Portland taproom. Before the interview, the Brewbound team details the latest beer industry news, including Tilray's acquisition of BrewDog's Australian operations. Four Loko's proposed sale and George Clooney and buds' new NA brand, Crazy Mountain.
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42 North on Delivering a Total Guest Experience; Plus Tilray Acquires BrewDog's UK Operations
Mar 500:41:07Tap to summarizeNew York's 42 North Brewing has entered its second decade with a new mindset about what it means to be a craft brewer, founder John Cimperman said on the latest episode of the Brewbound Podcast. 42 North Brewing celebrated its 10th anniversary last September. Business at its taprooms in East Aurora and downtown Buffalo has returned to pre-COVID-19 levels with some changes. Food and events make up a larger portion of revenue, and 42 North has embraced both by enlisting a restaurant partner to manage service and booking standing live music performances. Before the interview, Zoe and Jess break down Tilray Brands' acquisition of BrewDog's Scotland brewery, global brand and IP and 11 pubs in the U.K. and Ireland, plus the closing of BeatBox's sale to Anheuser-Busch InBev and the new leadership of the Brewers Association's board of directors.
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The Oregon Beverage Collective Finds Power in Numbers
Feb 2500:41:58Tap to summarizeThe pack mentality isn't going away anytime soon in craft brewing. The Oregon Beverage Collective (OBC) – the tie up of Crux Fermentation Project, Cascade Lakes Brewing, Silver Moon Brewing, Goodlife Brewing and Tumalo Cider – launched a couple of weeks ago as one of the latest additions to this crowd. OBC president Andy Rhine joined the latest edition of the Brewbound Podcast to share how those five brands are looking to build strength in numbers. Rhine explained that OBC's formation wasn't out of necessity even in a Pacific Northwest market facing challenges through distributor consolidation. Instead, the collective's foundation was built via long-time relationships among brewery owners in Bend. And it was those relationships that led to Rhine acquiring Crux in a separate deal from founders Larry Sidor and Paul Evers. Even with a portfolio of five brands and efforts to consolidate production, sales and marketing, Rhine said maintaining each brand's "unique identity" will be key to the future of the collective. The conversation also covered Rhine's view of OBC's future and whether more members will be added to its ranks. Before the interview, Justin and Zoe break down the latest headlines, including the fallout from Dry January, the Brewers Association's 2025 financial results, Tilray's licensing deal with Carlsberg, the Left Hand Collective's newest member and the Supreme Court's ruling on reciprocal tariffs.
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Reinventing Home Brewing: How Pinter Is Bringing Draft Beer Home
Feb 2300:10:02Tap to summarizeIn this Brewbound Podcast Interview, Ray Latif sits down with Paul Benner, U.S. CEO of Pinter, to explore how the company is reinventing the at-home beer experience at a time when traditional home brewing and craft beer growth have slowed. Benner explains how Pinter's all-in-one brewing and tapping system eliminates the biggest barriers to entry — cost, time, space, and inconsistent quality — enabling consumers to make fresh, draft-quality beer at home in just 10–14 days. He also highlights how the brand is tapping into powerful consumer trends around at-home entertaining, DIY hobbies, and direct-to-consumer purchasing. The conversation also dives into Pinter's strategy of positioning itself as an alternative to packaged beer, supported by partnerships with breweries like Guinness, Lagunitas Brewing Company, and Great Lakes Brewing Company. With a subscription-based model, an expanding portfolio of styles, and a growing roster of brand collaborations, Pinter is building a new platform for enjoying beer at home. To learn more or get started, visit Pinter's website and explore how the system works.
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A Supplier's Guide to Middle-Tier Consolidation
Feb 1800:51:59Tap to summarizeAs the distribution tier continues to shrink, what must brewers and bev-alc brands do to protect their routes to market? ArentFox Schiff partner Nichole Shustack and senior associate Isabelle Cunningham joined the Brewbound Podcast to discuss how suppliers can navigate the turbulence that comes with wholesaler consolidation. Shustack and Cunningham also share updates on the uncertain future of the intoxicating hemp industry, which is slated for prohibition in November 2026. Before the interview, Justin and Zoe discuss a bevy of beer news, including the formation of the Oregon Beverage Alliance, year-end shipments data from the Beer Institute, BrewDog's looming liquidation, Constellation Brands' incoming CEO and global layoffs at Heineken. Editor's Note: While the guests featured in this conversation are attorneys, the discussion does not constitute legal advice. Please consult your own legal counsel as needed.
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Long Drink Face & Brand Soul: CEO Evan Burns on Winning the US Market
Feb 1100:48:21Tap to summarizeHow did a drink that was concocted for the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games find relevance in the U.S. today? Finnish Long Drink co-founder and CEO Evan Burns explained on the latest edition of the Brewbound Podcast how the gin-based ready-to-drink (RTD) brand has connected with modern consumers through sampling, storytelling and authentic celebrity partnerships. Burns shared that first-time Long Drink consumers often get "Long Drink Face" – a range of emotions that start with confusion for what the product is, to surprise after they try it, to ultimately delight. That starts a domino effect with the newfound fan turning their friends and spouses on to the product, Burns said. It also opens them up to the story of the cocktail made from gin, grapefruit juice and water more than half a decade ago for Finland's Olympic moment. During a conversation with Brewbound senior reporter Zoe Licata, Burns emphasized how the Long Drink has stayed true to its citrus roots and isn't a product to be spun off into 30 flavors. "It's about building brands with soul," he said. Burns also discussed how a celebrity partnership with actor Miles Teller led to other celebrities organically signing on with the brand, how the Long Drink leverages social media and tips for any CPG brands seeking growth.
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A Decade of Craft and Community: Inside the 10th Annual New England Craft Brew Summit
Feb 1000:10:41Tap to summarizeIn this Brewbound Podcast interview, host Jess Infante sits down with Sarah Bryan, Executive Director of the Maine Brewers Guild, to preview the 10th Annual New England Craft Brew Summit, taking place Friday, March 6 in Portland, Maine. The one-day conference, New England's largest B2B gathering for the craft brewing industry, brings together brewers, brewery owners, suppliers, and industry partners for a jam-packed day of education, collaboration, and connection. Bryan describes the summit as a distinctly New England event: independent, no-nonsense, and intentionally designed to deliver maximum value in a short amount of time for busy operators. Bryan highlights what's new for the milestone year, including an expanded and modernized trade floor, longer educational sessions, and a keynote address from Natalie Cilurzo of Russian River Brewing Company. Anchored by the theme "The Brewer's Compass: Finding Focus, Crafting with Purpose," the program reflects an increasingly mature craft beer landscape, with advanced sessions covering topics like AI in the brewing workplace, modern PR and earned media, supplier innovation, employee wellness, and navigating today's complex market conditions. Beyond the conference floor, the summit also features a full slate of networking events, brewery collaborations, and celebrations throughout Portland, reinforcing the event's reputation as both a business-critical conference and a cornerstone gathering for the New England beer community. For more information and registration details, visit the New England Craft Brew Summit website.
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Episode 031: Donn Bichsel
Apr 11, 2019Tap to summarizeIn episode 31 of the Brewbound Podcast, Donn Bichsel discusses how Revolution Brewing is dealing with industry headwinds and shares his outlook on the future of craft. He also shares how the company is staying relevant in a crowded marketplace, and how it intends to succeed over the long-term. Show Notes: 0:00 – 14:50: Furnari and Kendall introduce episode 31, discuss the latest news and share their initial CBC 2019 highlights 14:50 – 49:30 Furnari and Kendall interview Donn Bichsel 49:30 – 56:21: Furnari and Kendall share their takeaways from the interview
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