Guinness

What do distributors want in 2025? A survey of 173 distributors from across the U.S. found that middle-tier leaders are seeking simplification and focus in programs, among other key traits. Those answers were among the takeaways from consulting firm Tamarron’s 27th annual Brewer Partnership Compass survey.

The story of slowed import sales and the impact of Hispanic consumer shifts, is not a story unique to beer, according to the latest monthly report from Bump Williams of Bump Williams Consulting (BWC). Total bev-alc (TBA) imports have declined 0.5% year-to-date (YTD), to nearly $11 billion, in NIQ-tracked, off-premise channels (total U.S. + liquor + convenience). In the same period last year, bev-alc imports were growing 1.3%, to $11.05 billion.

President Donald Trump’s reveal of sweeping tariffs on Wednesday included a 25% tariff on all imported beer and empty aluminum cans. Those tariffs are expected to go into effect at 12:01 a.m. EDT Friday, April 4.

2025’s drinking occasions just can’t hold a candle to 2024, it seems. In the lead up to St. Patrick’s Day (week ending March 16), off-premise bev-alc sales recorded a -3.9% decline year-over-year (YoY), market research firm Circana reported in its newest batch of weekly data. Holiday shopping delivered a +5% increase week-over-week (WoW).

Guinness is synonymous with U.S. St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. National ambassador Ryan Wagner joins the Brewbound Podcast to discuss preparation for the holiday, how the Splitting the G viral phenomenon has played a role in the brand’s upward trajectory and introduces it to new consumers.

Non-alcoholic (NA) beer claimed a record 4.2% share of beer category grocery sales during Dry January, according to an analysis by Bump Williams Consulting chief strategy officer Dan Wandel. NA beer recorded double-digit year-over-year (YoY) increases in dollar sales (+23.5%) and volume (+20.2%) in U.S. food stores tracked by market research firm NIQ for the four-week period ending February 1.

Spirit suppliers got a brief reprieve when President Donald Trump delayed tariffs with Mexico and Canada on Monday, but the threat of a trade war has still hampered the growth outlook for one of the industry’s biggest players. Meanwhile, Guinness continues to be a bright spot in Diageo’s portfolio, achieving its eighth consecutive half of double-digit growth, delivering +17% organic net sales growth in the period.

Beer had an expected St. Patrick’s Day boost, with dollar sales in Circana-tracked off-premise channels increasing +5.3% year-over-year (YoY) in the week ending March 17, according to the market research firm.

Diageo reported a 10.7% rise in net sales for fiscal year 2023, with premium-plus brands contributing 57% of overall organic net sales growth.

The Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Baltimore, Maryland invites the community to celebrate its fifth anniversary from Thursday, August 3 through Sunday, August 6. The five-year anniversary tradition theme is wood, representing the craftsmanship, strength and deep roots that the brewery has grown since opening on August 3, 2018.

After a decade of leading Diageo, CEO Sir Ivan Menezes will retire as CEO and exit the company’s board of directors, effective June 30, the beer and spirits giant behind Guinness and Johnnie Walker announced today.

Cincinnati’s Rhinegeist Brewery will begin “a two-stage expansion” into Houston, Texas, starting in mid-August via Silver Eagle Distributors.

Nuno Teles, who led a transformation of Diageo’s U.S. beer business, has been appointed Diageo’s managing director of Great Britain, the company announced Thursday.

The fourth flavor of Boston Beer Company and PepsiCo Beverages’ Hard MTN Dew will be Baja Blast.