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CBN picked up several other craft-related tidbits at Brewbound Live last week, comin' from cos of all sizes, shapes and biz models. Hendler Family & Wilding Brands on Deal Structures "Minimizing Risks" As Hendler Family Cos and Wilding Brands have emerged as two of the more active craft portfolio-builders in recent yrs, a "huge focus" is on "minimizing risk," said Hendler Family Cos co-founder/CEO Sam Hendler at Brewbound Live. Goal is to structure deals so that "if everything's great," then it's a "win-win," but "should things not go particularly well, our downside is mitigated as much as possible," he explained. Gotta do due diligence, and the "onus is on the acquirer," but there have been "adventures through that process," Sam quipped. Similarly, Wilding Brands has "found great win-win solutions" in acquisitions thru "an earnout structure," said chief development officer/co-founder Charlie Berger. Vast majority of Wildings' biz is in CO and 60% of Hendler Family Cos' volume is sold in MA.Other Half at 8 Taprooms Plus Co-Branded Venture in Chicago; "I Think We're Good With That Right Now"; 2/3 of Production in Distro Other Half Brewing's taproom/on-site biz expanded extensively in recent yrs, now totaling 8 taprooms (3 in NYC, 3 in upstate NY, 1 in Philly, 1 in DC) plus a co-branded venture in Chicago with Ramova Theatre, co-founder/COO Andrew Burman reminded at Brewbound Live on panel with Hi-Wire CEO Adam Charnack and Novo Brazil Brewing founder Tiago Carneiro. "I think we're good with that right now," he commented.Andrew spoke of the balancing act for each location, trying a lotta different things to draw local audiences, from drink menu to events. Co recently did a Taylor Swift drag show at one location that 2-3 yrs ago Adam would never have thought to do, but "it brought in a whole new clientele," and was a real draw. Co's "trying to be experimental" in its experiential offerings now that Other Half's graduated into what he called "a real business." It's also dabbled in THC bevs, wine and coffee at its locations and online. Yet as Other Half's expanded its retail presence significantly, its distribution biz has expanded much faster too with 2/3 of production in distribution now, he shared.Highland On-Site Biz "Flourishing" Amid Yr of Personal and Professional Challenges; "So Much Relief and Gratitude" In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Asheville, NC's on premise account base is still probably down 10-15%, Highland Brewing CEO/2d generation owner Leah Ashburn shared at Brewbound Live. The biz "is not down that much," a good indicator to Leah and co. At the 40-acre brewery property, it's been "really busy" and "we are flourishing on site," even as distribution biz remains challenged. Highland started serving liquor a year ago, and beer's "not as big a percentage" of the mix these days including spirits, "a little wine," non-alc kombuchas and sodas, plus a new pizza program and new retailer coming onsite for 2026. Co's also adding an indoor climbing center and disc golf to the brewery campus on top of all kinds of other activities available for guests.Yet this past yr has been a particularly challenging one for Leah, both personally and professionally, as co worked back from Hurricane Helene damage, her dad & founder of the company Oscar Wong passing away earlier this year, and her husband Brock was diagnosed with cancer, she shared. After many sessions of radiational therapy and surgery, the prognosis is great for Brock. But understandably, when asked what she's looking forward to most in 2026, Leah responded "not being 2025." That said, reflecting on everything Highland has been able to accomplish in the last year as a company, for the city of Asheville and beyond left Leah feeling "so much relief and gratitude" for the community hub her father built that she, Brock and team continue to steward and build upon.Hi-Wire Got "A Little Over-Extended"; 7 Taprooms Across NC & TN, Focused on "Strengths"; Cidery Partnership & THC Bevs Comin' After Hurricane Helene, NC's Hi-Wire took a moment to reevaluate its biz, core mission, and focus, "making the decision consciously to close four taprooms," CEO/co-founder Adam Charnack shared. Co got "a little over-extended" but now feels that it's well situated to lean into "our strengths" in NC and TN, "really focused on hospitality." Asheville taproom that was flooded during the Hurricane is back up and running, now featuring golf simulators, pickle ball, and more, partnering up with a tour e-bike company to promote Asheville tourism too. It's also releasing a hemp THC product next week to "meet the consumer where they are," and recently partnered with Noble Cider to form a strategic partnership for one taproom location dubbed Open Noble Cider & Mead Bar. No comment on potentially tuff timing for hemp THC bev product launch, but many suppliers continue to bet on finding a way for govt to keep hemp THC products in mkt.Novo Brazil Massive Taprooms Focus on Sports Alliances; Hard Kombucha is 20% of Taproom Alc Mix Novo Brazil has 4 locations in San Diego and one recently opened in the San Antonio area, all massive spaces seating up to 1K guests at full capacity in some instances with big emphasis on sports. From San Diego Padres to MLS, college basketball, and beyond, Novo Brazil is "investing" with these orgs and featuring games to drive traffic. New space in San Antonio is already partnered with the local MLS team and "trying to get a hold of" the San Antonio Spurs, among other moves. Tho Philly sports orgs wanted "a cool $20 million" for rights to its teams, Other Half's Andrew commented separately. So it's not always "in the budget." Interestingly, hard kombucha represents 20% of all alc bev sales inside Novo Brazil's restaurants, noted Tiago. Co also sells 3 lines of non-alc beer only for its restaurants. "There is demand there," said Tiago, ad co will continue to "innovate and listen to the consumer."Rupee Beer Expanding Thru Culinary Lens w/ Indian Restaurants; 21 States & Counting; Darjeeling Hard Tea; 2X Content Budget Rupee Beer is a unique proposition in the US, speaking to Indian-American consumers and beyond thru a "global culinary lens," leading with Indian restaurants across the country, now in 21 states and looking for oppys to expand to 25+ states and internationally next yr, co-founder Van Sharma shared. His family's background is in Indian restaurants after they moved from the UK to Portland, ME and his dad opened up various concepts. This is "an underrepresented community" in a subcategory "that traditionally hasn't innovated," opening up the door for Rupee to approach sales and activations thru this lens that speaks to "a global Indian identity." Pointing to the rise in Chinese food in the US by the 80s, Japanese food by 90s, Thai food in the 2000s, Van sees Indian food as "the next growth engine" in Asian cuisine, and Rupee wants to align with that growth in food as part of its identity. Co invested 10% of its mktg budget in content creation this yr, but next yr plans to double that as it expands.

Other Craft Tidbits from Brewbound Live: Hendler, Wilding, Highland, Other Half, Hi Wire, Novo Brazil & Rupee

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