Boston Beer Company Dedicates $225K to National Black Brewers Association at Craft Brewers Conference in Nashville

Partnership extends support, resources for Black Brewers across the country

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Boston Beer Company (BBC), makers of the iconic Samuel Adams beer, announced today at the Annual Craft Brewers Conference in Nashville a donation of $225K to the National Black Brewers Association (NB2A.). This donation is timed to the launch of the NB2A, an organization dedicated to addressing underrepresentation of Black people in the brewing industry.

Kevin Johnson, the founder of the NB2A., expressed his gratitude for Boston Beer's donation: "We're thrilled to receive this generous donation from Boston Beer Company. Partnerships with household names like the Boston Beer Company are essential to the success and growth of organizations like ours. With their support and resources, we're better equipped to provide the necessary tools and opportunities for Black brewers and brewery owners to thrive. We believe that by working together, we can create a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable industry that benefits everyone."

Jennifer Glanville Love, Director of Partnerships at the Boston Beer Company, emphasized the company's commitment to supporting diversity and inclusion in the brewing industry: "Boston Beer Company is proud to be an inaugural supporter of the National Black Brewers Association to champion and amplify Black brewers and brewery owners who, today, represent less than 1% of the brewing community. Backed by Samuel Adams Brewing The American Dream, Boston Beer will provide the necessary funding and valuable beer and business resources to help cultivate and grow the Black brewing community."

The donation from Boston Beer Company is a significant step forward in promoting diversity and inclusion in the brewing industry. The NB2A will use the funds to support its mission of empowering Black brewers and brewery owners to create a more equitable and inclusive industry for all.

About National Black Brewers Association

Less than 1% of craft breweries in the U.S. are owned by African Americans and there is no single entity to help African American brewers and brewery owners with their specific needs and issues.

Given these challenges, the National Black Brewers Association ("NB2A") was formed as a 501c6 membership-based non-profit organization to:

  • Promote the Black brewing community as a first-of-its kind organization.
  • Increase the number of African Americans in the brewing industry at all levels of production, especially ownership and brewmaster.
  • Exercise political influence by developing and advocating for effective policy; and
  • Foster understanding about the history and legacy of African American brewing in the United States.

The NB2A is governed by a dynamic Board of Directors composed of the most experienced and successful Black brewery owners and brewmasters across the country. For more information on the National Black Brewers Association, visit our website at www.nationalblackbrewersassociation.org.

About Boston Beer Company:

The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE: SAM) began in 1984 brewing Samuel Adams beer and the Samuel Adams brand is currently recognized as one of the largest and most respected craft beer brands. Our portfolio of brands also includes Truly Hard Seltzer, Twisted Tea, Angry Orchard Hard Cider, Dogfish Head Brewery and Hard Mountain Dew as well as other craft beer brands such as Angel City Brewery and Coney Island Brewing. For more information, please visit our website www.bostonbeer.com.

AB Biotek Introduces New Range of Pinnacle Yeast for Brewing

Global leader in fermentation for distilled spirits and wine extends premium

Pinnacle-branded portfolio to include English Ale, Pilsner and American Ale beer strains

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AB Biotek – a global business division of AB Mauri – will introduce the expansion of its dry yeast portfolio for consumer alcohol, under the premium Pinnacle brand, for craft and home brewers located around the globe during the 2023 Craft Brewers Conference. The portfolio will be distributed in North America exclusively through Country Malt Group.

"AB Biotek and AB Mauri have quite a distinguished history in the production of both distilled spirits and wine under the Pinnacle name and other brands," said Greg Strauss, senior vice president, AB Biotek North America. "Extending our Pinnacle Yeast lineup into brewing – as well as adding a new fermentation aid – is significant for our business because it offers today's craft brewers a premium option to meet marketplace demand."

The range of premium Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast solutions includes options for an English-style ale, a traditional pilsner and an American-style ale, with future offerings targeting other popular beer styles. Each is available in 500 g bricks, 10 kg packs and 11.5 g sachets. The introduction also features a new, zinc-based beer nutrient under the BrewBoost label designed to work in concert with the three new yeast strains. Additional details for each item include:

  • Heritage English Ale – produces fruity and estery beers with clean finish, allowing malt and hop characteristics to shine
  • Heritage Pilsner – produces dry, clean and refreshingly crisp lagers with subtle, fruity aroma and a mild palate, up to 12% ABV
  • Heritage American Ale – produces well-balanced beers with low diacetyl and a clean, banana-like nose with some floral hints
  • BrewBoost Zinc Enriched Yeast Nutrient – allows for a safe and complete fermentation through a healthy yeast biomass and a nutrient-balanced wort

"The strong growth of regional and pub craft breweries around the world has increased the focus on localized beers featuring broader diversity, authenticity and heritage that meet what today's beer drinkers desire," said Abi Conner, Product Marketing Manager at Country Malt Group. "At CMG, we're focused on providing brewers and distillers with a one stop shop for their everyday craft beverage ingredient needs. We're thrilled to add this new Pinnacle Heritage brewing yeast strain selection to our portfolio of yeast and fermentation solutions."

The new portfolio – planned for sale in Asia, Europe, Central and South America, as well as North America – has performed well in external benchmarking tests versus industry-leading competition. The three yeasts strains represent 80 percent of beer styles enjoyed by consumers.

About AB Biotek

AB Biotek contributes to the success of customers through the delivery of customized fermentation-based, sustainable solutions containing proprietary and/or purposefully sourced microorganisms to created differentiated food, beverage, health & nutrition business opportunities. Science and advanced microorganism fermentation technology are core enablers. AB Biotek has commercial scale production and research development facilities located around the world. For more information about our product applications and unmatched technical service capabilities, please visit www.abbiotek.com.

About Country Malt Group

Country Malt Group humbly began in 1995 as North Country Malt, operating out of a backyard shed in Champlain, New York. Now, we operate 13 distribution centers located strategically across North America to ensure everything brewers and distillers need is just a truck ride away. We're committed to being a one-stop-shop for everyday supplies and ingredients, partnering with vendors that share our values in quality. As part of the United Malt global family of brands, our staff have centuries of combined experience to support our customers with the resources they need to succeed. CountryMalt.com

Iowa family builds farm-based craft brewery to help deliver a cure for blindness

INWOOD, Iowa, May 4, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2020 a family in northwest Iowa began making their own craft beer as a hobby during the pandemic. Those efforts took a serious turn when the owners of the Blind Butcher Brewing Company found a cause worth fighting for – a mission to cure blindness.

Since opening to the public in 2021, they have already brought awareness to thousands of people and have raised more than $60,000 in donations towards their non-profit, BREWS for BLiNDNESS to support the University of Iowa Institute for Vision Research (IVR).

In 2009, Iowan Rob Hage was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a rare genetic eye disease. For many years, he has been a patient of Dr. Edwin Stone who also serves as the Director of the IVR. He and his family were overjoyed to learn of the breakthroughs during an online seminar held by Dr. Stone in December, 2020, when it was shared that development of a cure was within reach. Furthermore, the delivery of that cure would be done affordably as the IVR chose to develop treatments largely through philanthropic funding, rather than turning to big pharma for delivery. Treatments include using the patient's own stem cells to grow new photoreceptors to be transplanted back to the patient's damaged retina.  

A serendipitous conversation then took place between Rob Hage and the IVR team, and the pathway to the first BREWS for BLiNDNESS began. Two years of devoted preparation are soon to culminate with the first formal "pilot batch" brewing at Backpocket Brewing Co. in Coralville, IA – scheduled for public release on May 26, 2023. This IPA will retail throughout Iowa and in their taproom with the proceeds benefiting BREWS for BLiNDNESS to support the IVR. The first-annual, national campaign will then begin in the Fall of 2023 among other brewers in Iowa and beyond who wish to join.

Hage says, "This journey has been a labor of love for us since day one in deciding to follow through with the vision of building this non-profit organization. The craft brewing industry is simply an incredible group of people who are passionate about their craft and the welfare of the people it brings together on a daily basis. We are so proud to be part of this group, and we look forward to many years of helping bring treatment awareness and delivery for this disease and the real hope in delivering a cure through the efforts of craft brewers like ourselves and the IVR."

"We are very excited to have the Hage family's BREWS for BLiNDNESS partnership in our efforts and for the creative path they have taken to bring us closer to these treatments," says Dr. Stone.

"We decided to partner with this great cause after meeting with Rob and his wife in our taproom a couple of years ago," says Aaron Vargas, managing partner for Backpocket Brewing Co. "In the brewing community, we are very close and when we have the opportunity to help, we will. Our collaboration with BREWS for BLiNDNESS is one way that we can help by doing something we know how to do and working with our partners at Briess Malts and Hollingbery Hop Farms to produce a beer that not only brings awareness to the cause but raises money as well. Our suppliers have been a great resource and have donated some of the raw materials for this brew, which allows for some money to be raised for this cause."

To join this worldwide effort to share awareness and delivery of an affordable cure, please contact: BREWSforBLiNDNESS.org online at  https://www.brewsforblindness.org.

HighBridge Premium™ Enters into a Manufacturing Agreement with Alamo Beer Company

SHERIDAN, Wyo., May 4, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- HighBridge Holdings, Inc. is pleased to announce that it has entered into a Manufacturing Agreement with Alamo Beer Company in San Antonio, TX. Under the agreement, Alamo will be making and co-packing a variety of Hemp derived Delta-9 THC beverages for HighBridge Premium. Starting with its premium faux beer products (eeZee daze™, Alpine Rush™, and Neblina del Pacifico™), HighBridge will be adding its' Effervescent Botanicals, ReFrsh™ in May, and a newly developed suite of ice teas in Quarter 2.

"With its history, expertise, and capacity, Alamo can accommodate the growing needs of HighBridge as we build the Hemp based Delta-9 portion of our corporate portfolio", said James Hunter, Co-Founder and CEO of HighBridge Holdings. "The ability of Alamo to accurately produce the complex formulas of the HighBridge faux beers was impressive!  And the production capacity of Alamo will serve HighBridge well into the future" he added.

David Esof, Production Manager of Alamo stated HighBridge formulas were some of the more complex that Alamo has encountered, but agreed the results were outstanding! David Komet, Alamo's Consultant shared "We certainly look forward to working with HighBridge to introduce its full catalog of products in the coming months". 

HighBridge, an emerging multi-state operation in the Hemp arena, will be using Alamo as a base for centralized production of its Delta-9 infused beverages. Alamo's San Antonio location is conveniently located near Houston's D-Squared Worldwide Distribution, the primary distributor for HighBridge products throughout much of the U.S. "The products Alamo has produced for HighBridge are impressive, and a reflection of the Business Model and leadership of the HighBridge team," said Eugene Simor, CEO of Alamo. 

On a separate note, Co-Founder and CAO of HighBridge Holdings, Inc. Vicky Hunter announced that HighBridge has established a formal banking relationship with First Citizens Bank (FCB) in Texas. "Working with the FCBs' Houston-based office was a great experience" she said, adding "they understand the unique needs of HighBridge, offer a full range of services, and made the on-boarding process seamless! As the HighBridge footprint expands into more states, we definitely see this as a long-term relationship that will continue to serve our banking needs."

About HighBridge Premium™

HighBridge Premium™ (The Highbridge Company, LLC) is a Wyoming corporation that, in conjunction with its consulting, lab and marketing partners, develops premium beverages for the recreational cannabis industry. HighBridge currently has 10 products market ready and expects to add several more each quarter. HighBridge products are currently available in Texas and Minnesota. Additional product launch venues targeted for 2022 include Arizona, Louisiana, Florida, Nevada, Massachusetts & Illinois. The HighBridge goal is to be a Multi-State Organization with an International footprint.  Our dedication is to quality and product integrity.  For more information visit the company website:

www.highbridgepremium.com

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements.  These statements involve risks and uncertainties, which are described in more detail and discussed in the Company's website; www.highbridgepremium.com.  Forward-looking statements are made and based on information available to the Company on the date of this press release. HighBridge assumes no obligation to update the information in this press release.



Cutwater Canned Cocktails Make a Splash in Canada as the Newest Addition to Labatt Breweries' Beyond Beer Portfolio

TORONTO, May 3, 2023 /CNW/ - This week, a hyped cocktail bar "opened" in Toronto – with a twist. To celebrate Cutwater canned cocktails exclusively hitting select LCBO shelves across Ontario, the brand introduced 'Anywhere Bar', a seemingly new bar with delicious, handcrafted cocktails, made with award-winning spirits.

To further amplify the launch, the brand turned cocktail and lifestyle-focused content creators into megaphones, to inspire Ontarians to visit Anywhere Bar. Ultimately, the grand reveal was that Anywhere Bar isn't a physical space, but rather it's anywhere a Cutwater canned cocktail is in hand.

"Consumer demand for choice is continually evolving, with canned cocktails – outside of Caesars – becoming the fastest growing ready-to-drink sub-segment in Canada in 2022," said Brian Kuhn, Beyond Beer Vice President, Labatt Breweries of Canada. "Bringing Cutwater's canned cocktails to Canada, following its incredible success in the U.S. market, is just another way we're continuing to expand our product lineup with industry-leading offerings, led by consumer trends and insights."

Established in 2017, Cutwater Spirits was co-founded by master distiller Yuseff Cherney. The brand has had a meteoric rise in the U.S., becoming an award-winning craft spirits brand and a pioneer in canned classic cocktails. Cutwater's portfolio of products continues to be guided by Cherney's experimental nature and strong commitment to quality. Today, Cutwater is the best-selling spirit-based canned cocktail across the U.S.

"Cutwater continues to disrupt the canned cocktails space with its array of award-winning, real-spirit based cocktails," said Gwen Conley, Head of Innovation & Global Expansion, Cutwater Spirits. "Our aim is to authentically deliver on the bar-quality taste consumers crave while delivering the ultimate convenience of a ready-to-drink beverage. This expansion into the Canadian market is a milestone moment for us, having started as humble spirits distillery to now an international product offering."

Cutwater is available now on shelves, exclusively at select LCBOs across Ontario in three delectable flavours, including: Rum Mint Mojito (5.9% ABV), Tequila Grapefruit Paloma (7.0% ABV) and Tequila Lime Margarita (12.5% ABV).

Be sure to follow along and engage on social media @CutwaterSpiritsCan.

About Cutwater:

First established in San Diego and known for its award-winning lineup of 20+ canned cocktail classics made form its portfolio of bottled spirits, Co-Founder Yuseff Cherney began distilling as a side project under Ballast Point Brewing. In 2017, Cutwater was established as a separate entity from the brewery and today, Cutwater has earned over 2,500+ awards across its portfolio of products and has finally made its way into the Canadian market. For more information, visit www.cutwaterspirits.com.

BJ's RESTAURANT & BREWHOUSE® SUPPORTS NATIONAL MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY WITH NEW BJ's CUREVEZA™ MEXICAN-STYLE LAGER

Supporting the Search for a Cure, BJ's Restaurants Will Donate 25 Cents for Every CureVeza™ Pint

Brewed

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., May 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 4th, BJ's Restaurants, INC. (NASDAQ: BJRI) will introduce a new craft beer for a cause: BJ's CureVeza™ Mexican-Style Lager. Available at all locations, while supplies last, BJ's brand-new CureVeza™ was developed to raise money for its long-term partner, The National Multiple Sclerosis Society. By donating 25 cents for every pint brewed to the non-profit organization, BJ's is helping build awareness and eradicate a disease that currently affects nearly 1 million Americans.

With more than 26 years of experience brewing award-winning craft beers, BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse is renowned for its authentic, creative, and fresh brews. BJ's new seasonal beer, CureVeza™, marks the latest milestone in a 25-year partnership with The National MS Society. The Mexican pale lager is the newest seasonal beer crafted by BJ's award-winning brewery, and features hints of lime and salt and is a crisp, approachable beer for guests to enjoy this summer.

"We're proud to support The National MS Society to help in the fight against a disease that affects so many," said Alex Puchner, Senior Vice President of Brewery Operations at BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse. "We support this cause passionately at BJ's, and it was a natural next step in our partnership to make a donation for every CureVeza™ pint brewed to support our community and foster scientific research for a cure."

Available starting on May 4th through June 28, 2023, CureVeza™ arrives just in time for Cinco de Mayo celebrations and is the perfect remedy for cooling off on a warm day. The medium-bodied, refreshing beer is inspired by Mexican-style lagers which are widely enjoyed for their drinkability and subtle flavors; plus, it pairs perfectly with BJ's signature dishes including Avocado Egg Rolls, Loaded Nachos, Shrimp Tacos, and more!

For more information on BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse and the limited-edition CureVeza™ beer, please visit bjsrestaurants.com. For more information on The National MS Society, visit  nationalmssociety.org.

About The National Multiple Sclerosis Society

The National MS Society, founded in 1946, is the global leader of a growing movement dedicated to creating a world free of MS. The Society provides global leadership and funds research for a cure, drives change through advocacy and provides programs and services to help people affected by MS live their best lives. Connect to learn more and get involved: nationalMSsociety.orgFacebookTwitterInstagramYouTube or 1-800-344-4867.

About BJ's Restaurants, Inc.

BJ's Restaurants, Inc. is a national brand with brewhouse roots where Craft Matters®. BJ's broad menu has something for everyone: slow-roasted entrees, like prime rib, BJ's EnLIGHTened Entrees® including Cherry Chipotle Glazed Salmon, signature deep-dish pizza and the often imitated, but never replicated world-famous Pizookie® dessert. A winner of the 2023 Vibe Vista Award in the Best Spirits Program category and the most decorated restaurant-brewery in the country, BJ's has been a pioneer in the craft brewing world since 1996 and takes pride in serving BJ's award-winning proprietary handcrafted beers, brewed at its brewing operations in four states and by independent third-party craft brewers. The BJ's experience offers high-quality ingredients, bold flavors, moderate prices, sincere service, and a cool, contemporary atmosphere. Founded in 1978, BJ's owns and operates over 200 casual dining restaurants in 30 states. All restaurants offer dine in, take out, delivery, and large-party catering. For more information on BJ's, visit http://www.bjsrestaurants.com.



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