NBWA’s Chief Economist gives Bloomberg a beer data update

Harpoon Distributing brand rights sold to Burke Distributing

Harpoon Brewery parent company Mass. Bay Brewing has disbanded its distributing company and sold the rights to sell its products in the Boston area to Massachusetts-based Burke Distributing. The decision to end self-distribution was based on financial analysis and refocusing efforts on brewing. Harpoon Co-founder and CEO Dan Kenary told Brewbound, “so what we’ve found is that relationships are key, and we have had tremendous success at wholesalers with a very, very similar look to Burke -- Atlas out in Central Mass. being a prime example of a phenomenal relationship with us.”

NBWA’s Chief Economist gives Bloomberg a beer data update

According to estimates from the National Beer Wholesalers Association, by March about 10 million gallons of beer held by retailers had already expired and there’s more to come. Throughout the pandemic, holidays that typically boost beer sales have been hit hard like Memorial Day, Cinco de Mayo, St. Patrick’s Day and spring break -- and July 4th is next. Lester Jones, chief economist for NBWA told Bloomberg, “We have an entire supply chain from brewers to distributors to retailers who all have beer at risk in various stages of the supply chain.”

The women at Brewery Products adjust to COVID-19 changes

Brewery Products, a Pennsylvania-based beer distributor, shows how the female leaders on their team – led by company president Wendy Keesee – have adjusted their work during the pandemic as they continue to get their jobs done. This includes keeping shelves stocked, supporting their partners in the community and virtual happy hours with ice-cold beer.

Airlines ban alcohol on planes in response to COVID-19

Airlines, including Easyjet and KLM in Europe, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines in the United States and Asia's Virgin Australia, are suspending all or part of their alcoholic drinks service in response to COVID-19. It's aim is to minimize interaction between crew and passengers and limit the spread of the virus.

Barley joins the ranks of dairy-alternative beverages

Take Two Foods has launched the world's first barleymilk into grocery stores, coffee shops and cafes across the Pacific Northwest and Los Angeles. The company produces the barleymilk using spent grain, which is a by-product of the brewing process. Each year the global beer industry produces billions of pounds of spent grain which is currently used to feed livestock or goes to waste.

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Harpoon Distributing brand rights sold to Burke Distributing