While bigger fish sit on a backburner, waiting to potentially be fried, federal alc bev regulators dished out 3 more settlements with relatively small industry members last mo. The TTB struck offers-in-compromise totaling just over $260K in Jun for tax and reporting-related misdeeds. Like in other recent OICs, violations involved failing to report new ownership (or a "change in control") and improper or missing excise tax payments. Violators included a small combo brewery, cidery and distillery in Cincinnati, March First, on the hook for almost $15K for not paying taxes on spirits properly in 2019 and early 2020. It's all well-trod territory for the TTB, dealing with the agency's bread and butter work, closely tied to its most basic functions: permitting and collecting taxes.

After a positive start in Q1, Boston Beer is expected to take a backward step in Q2, according to Consumer Edge analyst Brett Cooper's latest report leading up to co's financial results next week. Combo of Twisted Tea's deceleration, Truly "continuing to decline 20%+" and "the balance of the business" down "double-digits" is expected to drag volume depletions down mid-singles, he estimates. In scans, SAM volume slipped 5% for 12 wks thru Jun 16 Circana multi-outlet + convenience data. SAM stock is heavily dependent on "volume improvement" and Q2 "won't be the necessary volume catalyst," Brett highlighted. Stock is down a bit since Q1 report, even with boost amid M&A rumors since late May.

Frank B. Fuhrer Wholesale Co bought bev division with $10 mil in sales of local food distrib Alber & Leff, reported Pittsburgh Business Times. Alber & Leff sold about 25 brands, including Sparkling Ice, Essentia, Prime Hydration, Alani Nu and Poppi. "Fuhrer has been looking to expand into the non-alcoholic segment," said Fuhrer cfo Jake Wrigley to Biz Times. "This was just the perfect opportunity rather than building something from the ground up." Lee Hurwitz, fourth generation owner of Alber & Leff joined Fuhrer as prexy of Fuhrer Bev Co, which began operating today.

Don't miss our 30th Annual Beer Insights Seminar in New York City, with a reception on Sunday evening Nov 17 and program all day Monday, November 18. The Seminar will take place at the Harmonie Club, one of NYC's most-storied private clubs founded in 1852. Fittingly for our 30th anniversary, we will bring you a fantastic program.

Makers of delta-8 THC snack and candy products like Stoneos, Trips Ahoy, Doweedos and Stoney Ranchers were among next set of cos to get warning letters from FDA & FTC this wk, agencies announced today. The cease-and-desist letters raise concerns about "deceptively similar" packages and brand names that look and sound a lot like existing food brands. "Those that prioritize profits in front of children's safety are at serious risk of legal action," director of FTC's consumer protection bureau Samuel Levine said in release. Same agencies sent letters along the same lines to group of producers, including makers of some D8 drinks, about a yr ago. This time focus is on lookalike candy, snack and cereal brands.

Prestige Beverage Group hired spirits mktg vet Dave McNulty as new marketing and trade veep, co announced earlier today. Dave most recently worked as cmo of Stoli Group for about 1 yr, but prior to that was with Diageo for nearly 19 yrs across various roles. Recall, Prestige Bev Group suddenly became a top-25 vendor in beer in natl Circana foodstores this yr, accelerating up triple-digits in recent mos (see Jun 28 issue). Yet it's primarily a wine & spirits supplier with brands like Kinky Liquer, Risata Wines, Windsor Canadian, Yes Way Rose, 2XO Kentucky Straight Bourbon and Siempre Tequila. Prestige's beer/malt bev sales in tracked scans are fueled by private label, sources suggested to INSIGHTS.

Dos Equis rose to become the #1 on-premise brand by $$ in Texas, Heineken shared citing NIQ CGA data for 52 wks thru mid-May, hitting 10.2 share as the #1 draft handle across the entire state. But the brand's looking to double down further on its sunbelt strong suit, launching new "Lucky" campaign including 2 tv spots dubbed Salt and Bottle Cap.

While bigger fish sit on a backburner, waiting to potentially be fried, federal alc bev regulators dished out 3 more settlements with relatively small industry members last mo. The TTB struck offers-in-compromise totaling just over $260K in Jun for tax and reporting-related misdeeds. Like in other recent OICs, violations involved failing to report new ownership (or a "change in control") and improper or missing excise tax payments. Violators included a small combo brewery, cidery and distillery in Cincinnati, March First, on the hook for almost $15K for not paying taxes on spirits properly in 2019 and early 2020. It's all well-trod territory for the TTB, dealing with the agency's bread and butter work, closely tied to its most basic functions: permitting and collecting taxes.

After a positive start in Q1, Boston Beer is expected to take a backward step in Q2, according to Consumer Edge analyst Brett Cooper's latest report leading up to co's financial results next week. Combo of Twisted Tea's deceleration, Truly "continuing to decline 20%+" and "the balance of the business" down "double-digits" is expected to drag volume depletions down mid-singles, he estimates. In scans, SAM volume slipped 5% for 12 wks thru Jun 16 Circana multi-outlet + convenience data. SAM stock is heavily dependent on "volume improvement" and Q2 "won't be the necessary volume catalyst," Brett highlighted. Stock is down a bit since Q1 report, even with boost amid M&A rumors since late May.