Brewbound 2023 Awards and Rising Stars

Speaker 1 [00:01] Brewbound's 2023 beer champions of the Year are the founding members of the National Black Brewers Association. The National Black Brewers Association, or NB2A was founded to help promote the black brewing community since African American brewers and brewers. Owners account for less than 1% of craft breweries in the United States. The NB2A was founded by former Sacramento Mayor, NBA All-Star, and Oak Park brewery owner Kevin Johnson. Brewbound recognizes the founding members, including its inaugural officers. President Kevin Johnson, Oak Park Brewing. First Vice President, Garrett Oliver, Brooklyn brewery. Second vice president, Doctor Jay Jackson Beckham, crafted for all. Treasurer Marcus Baskerville, Weathered Souls Brewing, and secretary Celeste Betty, Harlem Brewing. In establishing the NB2A, they've collectively taken an important step in bringing representation and giving a voice to black brewers. Brewbound's 2023 Person of the Year is Maui Brewing founder and CEO Garrett Marrero. Marrero sprung into action during the August wildfires in Maui that killed nearly 100 people and displaced thousands of others. He and his team helped by running supply missions, collecting vital items for the survivors of the fires, and getting drinking water to those in. He also used his voice to be an outspoken advocate for the people of Maui, lobbying federal and local governments for assistance. Marrero exemplified the spirit of the craft brewing industry, being there for his community in their time of greatest need. Brewbound's 2023 Beyond Beer Company of the Year is Beatbox Beverages in Austin, Texas. Founded in 2013 by Justin Fenel, Amy Steadman, and Brad Schultz, the party punch maker is beginning to hit its stride, hosting triple-digit off-premise. Growth this year. That's on the heels of more than doubling its sales from 800,000 cases shipped in 2021 to 2 million cases shipped in 2022. Beatbox gained national placements in 7-Eleven stores this year and launched a partnership with pop punk star Avril Lavigne. The company is now on pace to sell just under 140,000 barrels by year's end. Brewbound's 2023 raft brewery of the Year is Lawson's finest liquids. The Wakesfield, Vermont-based craft brewery achieved several milestones in 2023, including receiving B Corporation certification and adding Vermont's largest solar canopy to achieve 100% solar-powered brewing operations. Also this year, Lawson's co-founder Sean Lawson passed the torch. As CEO to Adeline Drouart, who will lead the brewery in its next growth phase, Droart brings an outsider's point of view to the brewery Sean and Karen Lawson founded in 2008. She previously served as president of Vermont Creamery and VP of Land O'Lakes Dairy Foods division. Moving forward, the Lawson's will serve as brand stewards and ambassadors, while Drouart looks to build upon their legacy. Brewbound's 2023 large brewery of the year is Athletic Brewing Company. The arrow continues to point up for the non-alcoholic beer maker, which first crossed the 100,000 barrel mark in 2021 and landed at 170,000 barrels in 2022, becoming the 13th largest brewers association defined craft brewery by volume. Athletic was the number two craft growth leader and five of the top craft growth brands in off-premise retailers per. can of data. Whole Foods also named the company a supplier All-Star. And in the on-premise channel, the company has begun a slow rollout of draft beer. Athletic also worked to become ubiquitous, striking partnerships that saw its beer added to the menu on JetBlue flights and added in 150 TGI Friday's restaurants. The company has also inked a deal with Netflix for a series of limited edition beers and partnered with ready to drink coffee brand Super Coffee. The push for more continued this year with Athletic on pace to end the year as the number one non-alcoholic beer brand family. In an increasingly challenging and competitive beverage alcohol industry, these 7 players emerged as rising stars to watch in the coming years. Alvarado Street Brewery, Monterey, California, Big Grove Brewery, Iowa City, Iowa, Crowns and Hops Brewing Company, Inglewood, California. Doke Beer, Oakland, California. Stateside Vodka, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Torch and Crown Brewing Company, New York City. Trace Brewing, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.