Anheuser-Busch, autumn beers and more

US approves Anheuser-Busch deal to buy Craft Brew Alliance

On Friday, the U.S. Justice Department approved Anheuser-Busch’s (AB InBev) plan to buy the remaining shares of Craft Brew Alliance (CBA), on one condition: AB InBev is required to sell CBA’s Kona brand beer. Prior to the $220 million deal, AB InBev owned 31.2% of CBA. Learn more about the decision and the deal here.

10 Great (non-pumpkin) beers for fall

Pumpkins are popping up everywhere, from grocery store entrances to your coffee and your beer. While the traditional symbol of fall is a favorite of many, some of us would prefer a different flavor to celebrate the arrival of sweater weather. Check out Inside Hook’s rundown of 10 beers perfect for your favorite fall activity – none of which involve pumpkin.

Chicago restaurants get creative as they plan for winter dining

Buses, train cars and portable greenhouses – oh my! Outdoor dining, a solution many restaurants have leaned on during the pandemic, will likely become unfeasible as temperatures begin to drop. To jumpstart the brainstorm, the city of Chicago hosted a contest in hopes of finding an innovative solution that will keep restaurant staff and customers safe. The contest received 643 entries, ranging from repurposing old buses to building greenhouse-like structures that each host one group of diners. Learn more about the contest entries and how restaurants plan to navigate the change in seasons.

What will become of the abandoned malls?

As online shopping surges, mall vacancies continue to accelerate. In early September, the mall vacancy rate clocked in at 9.8% – a historic high that exceeds the previous record of 9.3% set in 2011. So what will happen as storefronts continue to shutter? Mall developers say they’re looking at non-retail businesses – from schools to doctors offices and storage facilities – to fill the empty space. Read more about the future of malls here.

TODAY'S NEWS

US approves Anheuser-Busch deal to buy Craft Brew Alliance

10 Great (non-pumpkin) beers for fall

Chicago restaurants get creative as they plan for winter dining

What will become of the abandoned malls?

DISTRIBUTOR EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT