Kirin Holdings said to explore sale of Four Roses bourbon

USA | Japan’s Kirin Holdings is reportedly looking to sell its Four Roses bourbon brand for around USD 1 billion, the Financial Times newspaper reported on 23 October.

Boston Beer had a rough third quarter 2025

USA | It was a rough third quarter for the Boston Beer Company, with financial results for the third quarter ending 27 September 2025 showing shipments of 1.9 million barrels, down by 13.7 percent and depletions down by 3.0 percent. Net revenue of USD 537.5 million decreased 11.2 percent year-on-year.

In the culture war over alcohol, UN rains on the WHO’s parade

USA | The United Nations General Assembly, on 25 September, debated global alcohol policy at a high-level meeting on non-communicable diseases. Its specialised agency, the WHO, was pushing for stricter alcohol controls based on its stance that there is no safe level of drinking. The high-level meeting had to “establish a new vision for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases and the promotion of mental health and well-being by 2030 and beyond through a new, ambitious, and achievable political declaration.”

USA | The federal government entered a shutdown on 1 October after Congressional funding negotiations failed, leaving the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) operating with only essential staff. This resulted in immediate disruptions to key services that the TTB provides for brewers, and they will significantly impact brewers, should the shutdown be extended.

Diageo halts production at US distilleries Balcones and George Dickel

USA | Diageo has temporarily ceased whiskey production at its Balcones and George Dickel distilleries as it re-evaluates its “productivity goals”. Distilling and barrel-filling operations at Balcones distillery in Waco, Texas, were halted in August. Meanwhile, the Cascade Hollow distillery at Diageo’s Tullahoma facility in Tennessee, which produces George Dickel whiskey, has also been shut down for the time being.

Michelob Ultra unseats Modelo as best-selling beer in the US

USA | Michelob Ultra claimed the top spot as the best-selling beer in retail channels in the 52 weeks ended 14 September, parent company AB-InBev announced on 22 September, citing data from Circana. The light lager is also the top seller in bars and restaurants, according to Nielsen IQ data for the 52 weeks ended 12 July.

Genesee Brewing to see “no immediate changes” in FIFCO sale to Heineken

USA | The long-term future of Genesee Brewing is uncertain as its parent company FIFCO is being sold to Heineken for USD 3.2 billion. FIFCO announced on 22 September that it has agreed to sell its beverage, food, and retail businesses in Central America and Mexico. But the deal expressly leaves out FIFCO USA, based in Rochester, New York.

Moosehead Breweries will no longer sell its beer in bottles

Canada | Moosehead Breweries, the country’s largest privately-owned beer firm, announced on 18 September it will stop selling beer in bottles early next year. Its entire product line will move to cans and kegs, with the final run of bottles taking place in December.

A spirit in a pouch: Tilray launches Mountain Shot

USA | Cannabis-to-alcohol firm Tilray has been “extremely encouraged” by initial orders of its innovation, called Mountain Shot, from its Breckenridge Distillery. The first time I heard of Mountain Shot, a brand which is described as an “occasion-centric bourbon and malt-based shot with its own unique packaging”, was on the website Craft Business Daily on 21 August. It has already been rolled out to select US markets.

Diageo closes Crown Royal bottling plant in Amherstburg, Ontario

Canada | Drinks firm Diageo will cease operations at its bottling facility in Amherstburg, Ont., in February next year, as it shifts some bottling volume to the US and bottling for Canadian consumers to its plant in Valleyfield, Quebec, the company announced on 28 August. The decision is part of its USD 625 million cost-saving programme, Accelerate, over the next three years.