Among the "array of exciting activations, events and product launches to celebrate this Fourth of July," Tilray Brands announced unique rebate thru the end of the year across several brands in the portfolio. Tilray will offer consumers $3 back "when you buy your favorite beer" from Shock Top, SweetWater, 10 Barrel, Montauk, or Blue Point, "along with your favorite hot dogs and veggie dogs," per release. This program will last from July 1 thru Dec 31 "in select states." Co also has July 4 celebrations at several of its breweries.

CO's WeldWerks is bucking industry trends, on track to grow around 10% "or more" this year, depending on how things finish out, on top of 10% growth in 2023, head brewer Skip Schwartz told CBN in recent chat following co's new spirit RTD announcement. "For the first time" in a couple years, co's selling more beer than "we can produce" at the moment. A "good problem to have," Skip acknowledged.

It was only a matter of time, and perhaps a bit longer than expected since Kirin-Lion acquired New Belgium in late 2019. "All U.S. production of Kirin Ichiban and Kirin Light will be moved to New Belgium Brewing facilities" in Ft Collins, CO and Asheville, NC by end of 2024 "with the conclusion of Kirin's contract brewing agreement with Anheuser-Busch," cos announced. That amounts to roughly 100K bbls added for NBB, spokesperson told CBN, putting Kirin-Lion's US portfolio one step closer to surpassing 2-mil-bbls annually in 2024 (coming off 1.828 mil bbls shipped in 2023).

We are pleased to announce 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.

Control state spirits volumes slid back into negative territory in May, down 0.9% for the mo, 7th monthly decline in the last yr. And that's despite 4 additional selling days, NABCA reported today. Tequila remained strong for the mo, +5% by volume, and tho cocktails stayed positive, volume up just 7.9% for the mo, no longer consistently up double-digits in control states (tho these bevs increasingly sold outside of state stores, recall). Total spirits volume in control states down 0.4% for 12 mos.

Just in time for summer and July 4th holiday, Guinness released its second "Lovely Day for a Guinness" commercial with "longtime Guinness adorer," and brand partner, actor Jason Momoa. Spot titled "Gather" pans across a beautiful beach showing surfers and hikers enjoying themselves before sunset, with many scenes including Momoa too, who not only stars in spot, but also co-produced and directed. New ad is "all about the joy of togetherness and the simple pleasure of sharing a pint with friends. It inspires people to connect, celebrate, and remember that Everyday is a Lovely Day for a Guinness," commented actor. Guinness maintained solid growth pace in scans ever since strong St Patrick's Day performance kicked trends into new gear. Guinness Draught $$ up 4%, Extra Stout up 5% YTD thru Jun 16 in Circana MULC.

Appearing on Yahoo Finance's "Wealth" program yesterday, Heineken USA ceo Maggie Timoney was asked if her team is "revved up" for Jul 4 holiday and how do those plans play into co's overall strategy. "Well, it's more of the same," shared Maggie. "We're focused on our core brands Heineken and Dos Equis, and in particular over July 4th we have Heineken 0.0, the number one nonalcoholic beer by value" in US, "five points further than our nearest competitor, and we are making moderation cool." (Editor's note: while Athletic brand family $$ are now larger than Heineken 0.0 in scans, Heineken 0.0 is still well ahead of the next largest individual NA beer brand, Bud Zero.) Heineken 0.0 up "almost double-digits again this year," as the non-alc category continues to grow double-digits, Maggie added.

It was only a matter of time, and perhaps a bit longer than expected since Kirin-Lion acquired New Belgium in late 2019. "All U.S. production of Kirin Ichiban and Kirin Light will be moved to New Belgium Brewing facilities" in Ft Collins, CO and Asheville, NC by end of 2024 "with the conclusion of Kirin's contract brewing agreement with Anheuser-Busch," cos announced. That amounts to roughly 100K bbls added for NBB, spokesperson told INSIGHTS, putting Kirin-Lion's US portfolio one step closer to surpassing 2-mil-bbls annually in 2024 (coming off 1.828 mil bbls shipped in 2023).

Beer trends continued to climb leading up to the industry's top sales holiday. Volume improved to flat, with $$ +2% for latest 1 wk ended Jun 23. Those #s in line with total bev alc, as beer trends below spirits ($$ +5%, volume +6%) but ahead of wine ($$ -2%, vol -4%). There are already "signs of July 4th surge beginning" across categories, said Circana's exec veep of alc bevs Scott Scanlon, a welcome thought after a soft Memorial Day period.