Latest news with #Lagunitas
Forbes
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Beer Brand Seeks Party Legend To Crown In New Contest
Lagunitas is seeking a party legend to crown next month in a new contest. A California beer brand is looking to revive party culture with a new contest. With social events down and birthdays getting ghosted, Lagunitas is celebrating the people who still show up, rally the crew, and turn any random Tuesday into an occasion. The brand is on a mission to revive party culture, with a hunt for their first-ever Party Legend. 'This campaign is for the people who make life a little more fun and the ones who remember that the everyday is worth celebrating,' says Hannah Dray, chief marketing officer at Lagunitas Brewing Company. 'The campaign is aimed at fans who miss the spontaneity of gathering just because. People who want more cookouts, porch hangs, and dance floors in their lives. The prize for being the life of the party includes: This honor is coming at a troubling time. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans were less likely to engage in socializing and communicating on an average day in 2024 than in 2014, which represents 30 percent compared with 38 Atlantic even says 'Americans need to party more.' YouGov reports party culture is on the decline, too. 'At a time when many of us are craving more human connection, this campaign reminds people that good times don't have to be big, they just have to be shared,'Dray says. Fans can enter by posting a video showing why they're the Party Legend America needs by tagging @lagunitasbeer and using #partylegendcontest, or by visiting Entries will close on Aug. 7, which also happens to be National IPA Day. 'We noticed social events were on the decline and felt the party spirit slipping away,' Dray says. That sparked further investigation into the sad situation of socializing. 'When we saw data confirming a 35 percent drop in social gatherings since 2004, we knew it was time to reignite that energy and get people celebrating everyday moments again,' she says. 'At the same time, it was clear beer brands had lost some of its celebratory spark, and with it, its natural connection to socializing. So we decided to do something about it.' That idea evolved into a nationwide search to find and celebrate those people who keep the party alive, 'the true party legends,' she says. Dray notes that Lester Jones pointed out recently that 'Sociability is a prime factor in longevity. Why in the (heck) isn't every member of the beer industry telling people to get out there, socialize and live longer and have a beer?' 'That's something we believe in, too,' Dray says. 'It's our way of putting the spotlight on authentic community builders and good times.'
Miami Herald
16-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Costco, Walmart, Trader Joe's cash in on private-label boom
If you're a beer drinker, you probably have a favorite type of brew and maybe even a favorite brewer. If wheat is your go-to, maybe it's Blue Moon. If it's a lager, then it could be Modelo Especial. If you love IPAs and more craft-style beers, Stone and Lagunitas are probably on your list. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Craft beer, however, is facing a sobering reality. After years of booming growth, adult-beverage consumers are moving away from alcohol in general and beer in particular, leading to brewery closures from coast to coast. Breweries, like plenty of other businesses in the food and beverage space, are dealing with post-pandemic challenges. Taproom traffic is down, distribution is tough, and the average consumer is spending less and drinking less. Many mid-sized breweries are running below capacity - meaning they have idle brewing equipment and labor. Now some breweries are finding an unusual lifeline: private-label partnerships. Retailers like Costco, Walmart, and Trader Joe's are quietly reshaping the beer aisle by launching private-label craft brews, often made by respected breweries but sold under generic packaging. The strategy has big implications for shoppers, who are hunting for value, and for breweries, which want to keep their tanks full in a slower market. Retailers are jumping into the beer business for the same reasons they've embraced private-label snacks, sauces, and supplements: higher margins, brand loyalty, and pricing control, according to a recent report in Food Dive. Earlier this year, Costco surprised beer lovers by teaming up with Deschutes Brewery - one of the most award-winning craft brewers in the country - on a private-label lager. Sold under Costco's Kirkland Signature brand, the "Helles Style Lager" came in a simple red or white box marked only with "Lager." But savvy shoppers spotted the small Deschutes logo on the box and quickly spread the news online. It turns out, the beer isn't just good - it is award-winning, having taken home a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival in 2023. And at just $13.99 for a 12-pack, it's craft-beer quality at a Costco-sized value. Related: Walmart quietly launches new same-day delivery option That Costco-Deshutes collab is part of a much bigger trend, and Costco isn't the only one getting in on the action. Trader Joe's, for example, stocks JosephsBrau made by Gordon Biersch, Boatswain made by Rhinelander Brewing Company, and Mission St. made by Steinhaus Brewing Company. More retail: Aldi releases viral Trader Joe's item that is always out of stock Home Depot, Lowe's rivals strategic growth planTrader Joe's making huge mistake not copying Walmart, Target Walmart is preparing to launch a new private-label line called Brewmasters Selections, modeled after popular beers like Michelob Ultra, Modelo Especial, and Miller Lite. The beers will be brewed by City Brewing and distributed exclusively through Walmart stores. Instead of launching another IPA into a crowded market, brewers are partnering with big retailers to produce exclusive house-brand beers. These deals provide guaranteed production volume and steady income, without the marketing costs of launching a new brand. Private label, also called store-label, sales overall grew by 4% last year to reach a total of $271 billion, according to the Private Label Manufacturers Association (PMLA). Store-brand beverages led the way with a 4% year-over-year increase. For consumers, this trend offers something rare: quality beer at affordable prices. While many private-label beers come in no-frills packaging, the liquid inside can be just as good - or better - than higher-priced name brands. It also offers variety. Retailers are testing multiple styles, from crisp lagers to hazy IPAs, and often rotate seasonal releases. That makes the beer aisle feel fresh, even without the flashy branding of traditional craft brews. Related: Nostalgic breakfast treats move to the ice cream aisle But there's a tradeoff. Most private-label beers don't advertise who made them. Unless you're scanning for clues or happen to notice a familiar brewer's logo, you may never know that your store-brand pilsner was brewed by a respected craft operation. Still, most shoppers are more focused on price and taste than provenance. More than half of the Gen Z shoppers who participated said they "always/frequently" choose a place to shop due to its store brands, 67% are "extremely/very" aware of store brands; 64% buy store brands "always/frequently;" and 56% are "extremely likely/likely" to experiment with store brands to find "best value," according to the PMLA. As inflation pressures consumer spending and more craft breweries struggle to survive, expect private-label beer to become a staple in more stores and fridges. Related: McDonald's menu adds hot new collab to spice things up The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Miami Herald
19-04-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Costco's craft brewery collab is the best deal around
After every boom comes a bust. Just ask anyone in the craft beer business. There was a time when small-batch beers and craft breweries were all the rage. Every town, it seemed, had a signature brew. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter But not every beer can have the nationwide success of a Lagunitas, Ballast Point Sculpin, or Brooklyn Lager, and craft breweries have been closing at a rapid pace for the last few years. Craft breweries have suffered in the post-pandemic climate, facing higher interest rates and increased costs for labor and materials. Couple that with consumers who are dealing with economic challenges of their own, and you have a recipe for a downturn. Related: Popular beer brand shuts down brewery, lays off employees Plus, it seems beer is just not the adult beverage favored by most American adults anymore. Instead, consumers have switched their attention to canned cocktails, mocktails, and even non-alcoholic beer, which has exploded in popularity. In fact, a recent survey from the Beer Institute found that non-alcoholic beer continues to rise in popularity even as interest in the real stuff wanes. The poll found that 60% of "dry January" participants believe low- and no-alcohol beer helps them achieve their moderation goals, a 2% increase from last year's survey. More Food News: McDonald's, Starbucks targeted by rival fast-food chain's takeoverPopular retailer unveils affordable line with unexpected brandOreo celebrates 113th birthday bringing back fan favorite The poll also revealed that even though beer consumption is down, consumption of non-alcoholic beer is on the rise. Of course, the people who still love beer are always looking for a deal, which brings them to the beer and wine section at Costco. While beer and wine don't often go on sale, there are deals to be found. Related: Beloved brewery shutting down, sets final day Costco is known for its $1.50 hot dog meal deals and $4.99 rotisserie chicken, but if you know where to look, there are plenty of other deals to be had. Costco recently teamed up with one of the most award-winning craft breweries in the country - Deschutes - to offer their popular Prinz Crispy in fairly disguised packaging. The red or white box has a simple "Lager" printed across the front, but if you look closely, you'll see a Deschutes logo just below. The packaging also bears Costco's own "Kirkland" logo. The beer has a 4.5% ABV, fairly typical for a lager, but well below that of Deschutes' most well-known beer, "Fresh Squeezed," which has an ABV of 6.4%. Redditors in a handful of beer communities are mixed on the beer. @pullinahi says "Review: It is smooth, crisp with just a little bit of bite to it. Very easy drinking. I think Costco did a nice job with this, unlike the 48-pack of water the last time they put their name on beer." Another fan, @bkucb82, was more enthusiastic, saying, "It's an amazing beer (from an amazing brewery), if you like the style. Took home a gold at GABF in 2023 for the style. It's subtle, not a monster IPA or anything. But it's great. And at a killer price to boot." On the other hand, @IdaDuck wrote, "I like beer more than I should, and that was the first time I just threw it away rather than finish it." Still, a 12-pack of the Kirkland Signature Helles-Style Lager is $13.99, a Costco-sized deal from a lauded brewery. Related: Veteran fund manager unveils eye-popping S&P 500 forecast The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
I've Tried Hundreds of Craft IPAs. This Cheap, Easy-to-Find Beer Is My Go-to in a Pinch
I write about beer for a living, which means I taste a lot of the stuff. Most of it is great, especially IPAs. I can rattle off a list of bangers made with everything from foraged spruce tips to experimental hops that don't even have names yet, whether made by iconic industry trailblazers or under-the-radar nano-producers. But for all the obscure IPAs we insufferable beer geeks hunt down and boast about—bonus points if you can pinpoint all five hops in the aroma or remember the entire three-sentence name of that Evil Twin hazy—there's something undeniably irresistible about what you might refer to as a 'supermarket IPA.' Supermarket IPAs are those well-known bottles and cans from big independent craft breweries or their corporate-owned counterparts that have resources to earn shelf space in national chains. For example, one of the founders of Tree House Brewing in Massachusetts includes options from Lagunitas, Stone, and Goose Island in his supermarket IPA taste test video. In short, a supermarket IPA is there when you need it, wherever you are. You know what you're getting is consistently good in flavor and mouthfeel, and they're great for introducing craft beer to new drinkers. As a beer fan since 2008 and beer writer since 2017, I've had countless IPAs. When I'm in a situation where I need something tasty, cheap, and available—a crowd-pleaser for a party, decent brew at the limited airport bar, or convenience store pickup in a craft beer desert—I reach for a Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing every time. Sierra Nevada launched Hazy Little Thing in 2018. It was a big move for a seminal brewery that had built their reputation on a different interpretation of hoppy. 'Hazy Little Thing broke the mold at Sierra Nevada and marked a mindset shift for us,' says Isaiah Mangold, Sierra Nevada's head innovation brewer. 'The explorative process we went through as we developed that beer unlocked so many ideas and possibilities that we had never considered before, because at that time we only knew what we had always known: that IPAs by nature were meant to be sharp, bitter, and clear.' Smooth, sweet, and juicy, Hazy Little Thing was born to be its own offshoot brand, similar to the Voodoo Ranger series from fellow OG New Belgium Brewing. These brands were made for supermarket-IPA status. With their big, fruity flavors and splashy can art, they appeal to anyone wandering the aisle—whether they have an Untappd account or not. 'The Hazy Little Thing flagship has become ubiquitous,' says beer judge and writer Alexander Gates. 'There are lots of other sub-brands competing in this space, namely hazy IPAs at a lower price point…while Hazy Little Thing isn't as full-flavored as [Sierra Nevada's] Celebration or Torpedo, [it's] more approachable to people that may not like an aggressively bitter beer.' Hopped with citra, magnum, simcoe, comet, mosaic, and el dorado, Hazy Little Thing delivers a pleasant blend of orange gummy candies and overripe tropical fruit with some nice bitter pine and tea notes for balance. It does so with a full, velvety mouthfeel that's not too heavy or filling. It's a perfect middle-of-the-road option—not too explosively hoppy or smoothie-like for hazy IPA newbies, but flavor-forward and substantial enough to satisfy a hazy IPA fan. At 6.7 percent ABV in a standard-sized 12-ounce can, its buzz isn't overpowering, either. The proof is in the numbers for Hazy Little Thing's appeal. Per Nielsen data for 2024, it's the third ranked craft beer brand in the United States and the top-selling hazy IPA. Its success has blossomed into an entire portfolio featuring imperial, session, West Coast, and additional IPA 'Little Things,' nicknamed Big, Hoppy, Tropical, Rad, Dank, Cosmic, and Juicy. There's even a Wild Little Thing sour. The names, Gates notes, are another approachable feature. 'They're accurately described by their names, so they're also less pretentious and clear…whether [the consumer] has had a dank or juicy IPA before or not,' he says. The sub-brand has something for every kind of IPA fan at every level, no doubt. But the one that started it all, Hazy Little Thing, remains unrivaled in its crowd-pleasing quality.
