This December 6+7 the beer and beverage-alcohol industry will come together at the Marina del Rey Marriott to collaborate, make connections, and forge lasting relationships. The event mixes high-profile speakers and informative panels with sampling and networking opportunities.
Brewbound Live’s two-day program boils down all aspects of the beer business so you can keep up (and stay ahead) between batches. Take a deep dive into innovation, investment, retailing, and the key opportunities and trends that will enable growth within the beer business and beyond.
DECEMBER 6+7 | MARINA DEL REY, CA
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Set Your Brewery Up For Success
Brewbound Live Agenda
Times are subject to change.
Print the agenda for Wednesday, December 06
Please note: All times US Pacific Time
- 7:00 AM9:30 AM
Breakfast & Registration
Breakfast, coffee and beverages are served from 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM PT and are included with registration. Registration and badge pick up opens for the day at 7:00 AM PT. - 8:00 AM9:30 AM
Brewbound Live Pitch Slam Semifinal Round
Location: California Ballroom - Lobby Level
The Brewbound Live Pitch Slam, presented by Ollie, a Next Glass Company, is a business pitch competition designed to encourage entrepreneurship and build awareness for startups within the beer, cider, hard seltzer, alcoholic kombucha, and canned cocktail segments Watch the semi-finalists pitch and vote for your favorite to help them make it into the finals!
Judges include:
Yair Tygiel
- 9:30 AM10:00 AM
Networking Break
- 10:00 AM10:30 AM
Welcome + Keynote: Get Out of Your Own Way & Get Focused
Location: California Ballroom - Lobby Level
Adam Bankovich, the new CEO of Cincinnati’s Rhinegeist Brewery, will give the keynote address at the 2023. Amid a sea change of leadership at top craft breweries across the country, Bankovich represents the next wave of craft leadership at a brewery that just celebrated its 10th anniversary. Following the keynote address, Bankovich will be joined on stage by Rhinegeist co-founder Bryant Goulding for a discussion of passing the torch to the next generation of leaders, getting out of your own way, why it’s OK to say no and much more.
Bryant Goulding
- 10:30 AM11:00 AM
Future Proof Your Flagship
Bell’s Brewery EVP Carrie Yunker, Rogue Ales & Spirits president Steven Garrett, CANarchy chief commercial officer Chris Russell and Lawson’s Finest Liquids CEO Adeline Druart will explore brand building strategies, how to leverage brand equity of longstanding flagships, considerations for creating brand families and how to create a halo effect across your portfolio.
Chris Russell
- 11:00 AM11:50 AM
23 Data Points That Defined 2023
The beer industry’s chief economists will come together to discuss beer’s data, challenges and opportunities. Bart Watson and Lester Jones, chief economists of the Brewers Association and the National Beer Wholesalers Association, respectively, will share the stage to provide an update on beer industry trends and the trajectory heading into 2024.
Bart Watson
- 11:50 AM12:00 PM
Pitch Slam Finalist Announcement; Best of 2023 Awards & Rising Stars Video Announcement
- 12:00 PM1:30 PM
Lunch, Sampling & Livestream
Lunch and beer samples are served in the Bayview Ballroom on the rooftop level and is included with registration. - 1:30 PM2:00 PM
How to Get Mindshare & Sell More Beer
Getting in distributors' trucks and onto retailer shelves is harder than ever, with increased competition coming from all sectors and categories of bev-alc. Hear directly from wholesalers on how you can gain mindshare and stand out, with Stone Distributing general manager Brian Fried, Breakthru Beverage California director of beer Sinead Carey and Tryon Distributing director of beer Elledge Davis. - 2:00 PM2:25 PM
Tapping in: Bringing Back the On-Premise
The on-premise has failed to return to pre-pandemic levels, as bars and restaurants continue to tackle staffing issues and shorter hours, and breweries continue to battle draft declines. Karl Strauss co-founder and CEO Chris Cramer, Mellow Mushroom associate director of beverage operations Kynyetta Lester, and industry consultant Jason Murphy will give insights on what on-premise business looks like today, how retailer priorities are shifting and why the on-premise is still important for craft brands.
Chris Cramer
- 2:25 PM2:45 PM
Sampling, Networking & Livestream
- 2:45 PM3:10 PM
M&A in 2023: Selling, Merging, & Buying Back Breweries
One of the leading themes for craft beer in 2023 has been mergers and acquisitions. Arlington Capital Advisors managing director Ryan Lake, industry board and advisory Simon Thorpe and Three Weavers co-founder Lynne Weaver will discuss trends in the space, as well as tips for navigating deals, from craft-on-craft strategic partnerships, to buying back your brewery, and more. - 3:10 PM3:35 PM
Why a Cannabis Firm is the Most Active Acquirer of Craft Breweries
Tilray Brand’s president of the U.S. Beer Division Ty Gilmore will offer insights into the global cannabis firm’s craft beverage strategy after making nine acquisitions in 2023. Tilray has quickly built a portfolio of craft brands through acquisitions, including SweetWater, Green Flash, Alpine Beer Co. and Breckenridge Distillery. The company added to its roster this year with the additions of New York’s Montauk Brewing Company in January, followed by a transaction for eight craft beverage brands from Anheuser-Busch InBev. - 3:35 PM4:30 PM
Beers & Networking
- 6:00 PM8:00 PM
Official Party Presented by Firestone Walker, YETI, Crafted ERP, and Beer Institute
Head over to Firestone Walker - The Propagator (3205 Washington Blvd, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292) for additional networking. Enjoy beer, wine, non-alcoholic beverages and light appetizers. All registered attendees of Brewbound Live Winter 2023 are invited to attend. An event badge and valid ID is required for admittance.
Brewbound Live 2023 Sponsors
Make it easier for beer brands to approach you by establishing your expertise within the industry. Sponsoring a prominent piece of the Brewound Live experience allows you to position yourself as a cornerstone of the beer community.
Recent Event Announcements
Brewbound Live: Level Up Your Digital Strategy, with The E-Premise Group, Firestone Walker, Great Notion and McDermott, Will & Emery
The digital marketplace has become a vital part of many bev-alc brands’ marketing and connection to consumers, and has an impact on both digital and brick-and-mortar sales.Brewbound Live 2023: How to Get Mindshare & Sell More Beer, with Stone Distributing, Breakthru Beverage & Tryon Distributing
Landing in a wholesaler’s warehouse is a big win for a supplier, but it’s often just the first step in a journey that ultimately ends in a consumer’s fridge. Stone Distributing general manager Brian Fried, Breakthru Beverage California director of beer Sinead Carey and Tryon Distributing director of beer Elledge Davis shared the questions and tasks suppliers need to ask and accomplish along the way during the Brewbound Live business conference last month in Marina del Rey, California.Brewbound Live 2023: The State of Craft Brewery M&A
The deal environment within the craft brewing industry is “a bit slow” with “a lot of volatility, a lot of uncertainty,” which isn’t very conducive to dealmaking, Arlington Capital Advisors managing director Ryan Lake shared during the 2023 Brewbound Live business conference earlier this month.
Brewbound Live Winter 2023 Speakers
Our community is driven by the craft, an entrepreneurial spirit, and the desire to create something that brings people together. We are honored to have expert speakers join us to share stories, insights, and advice that allow founders, executives, and decision makers to forge ahead with confidence.
Bart Watson
Chief Economist, Brewers Association
Teo Hunter
Co-Founder, Crowns & Hops Brewing Co.
Beny Ashburn
Co-Founder and The Dope CEO, Crowns & Hops Brewing Co.
Chris Cramer
Co-Founder & CEO, Karl Strauss
Bryant Goulding
Co-Founder, Rhinegeist Brewery
Chris Russell
Chief Commercial Officer, CANarchy
Yair Tygiel
Founder, Sunboy
The Brewbound Live Experience
Tap Into Actionable & Timely Insights
Industry experts provide actionable insights on topics affecting the beer and beverage-alcohol industry today. Our speakers dive into industry data and examine case studies to help you overcome obstacles and cultivate growth.
Connect with Industry Leaders
At Brewbound Live, well-connected industry veterans are in the room and ready to talk. Ask them your questions, collaborate on new ideas, and head into 2024 with a clear path forward (and a new partner or two).
Sample the Latest Innovations
Take a first-hand look at up-and-coming beer and beyond trends before many of your competitors have a chance. Looking to have your product sampled for feedback? Just register and apply.
Pitch Your Startup to the Industry
The Brewbound Live Pitch Slam allows emerging beer and beyond brands to showcase their products to our expert panel and in-person audience to gain feedback and industry exposure.
Beer Industry Leaders are Registered for Brewbound Live
Dec. 3-5: Dive into Beverage & RTD Spirits at BevNET Live
Head out a few days early to attend BevNET Live on December 3-5 in Marina del Rey, CA. For more than a decade, the CPG industry has turned to BevNET Live to discover the latest trends and network with the beverage community. Our signature two-day event for the beverage industry brings together thought leaders, trailblazers, and the next generation of brand founders to help beverage industry professionals thrive.
Invest in the Future of Your Beer Business
Attending Brewbound Live is the first step in propelling your business into growth mode. Establish new partnerships, collaborate with beer industry experts, and walk away with the ability to make more strategic decisions for your company.
