Please read and share, I know it feels relentless but nothing changes if no one does anything.

As much as sports and beer go together, craft brands weren't always an ideal fit for sports sponsorships. That has been changing rapidly. My latest from the First Key Insights blog (a free sign-up may be required): firstkey.com/craft-beer-has…

Hey, #beertwitter, help me out. In your view, how long have "family-friendly" taprooms and/or brewpubs been a thing? When did you first become cognizant of this - not just that it existed, but as something people frequently referenced? Feel free to comment/clarify. Thanks!

Also, I wouldn't mind if you shared this with other beer-centric people on X/Twitter.

This post from @petebrownbeer rekindles the thoughts that led to my own 2021 article. (OK, my take is wonkier.) He has a much more positive perspective, and I greatly appreciate that. (BA membership require to read mine.) rb.gy/59awxx

A little while back I sampled a beer brewed with fonio at an @garrettoliver event at Hopleaf (sponsored by Beer Culture Center) and it was absolutely delicious. More brewers, please, please start brewing commercially with this grain.

I'm excited for today's soft opening of a Milwaukee bar that evolves a local institution. When Mike Romans passed away last year, Romans' Pub shut down after 30+ years as one of the US's best craft beer bars. New owner Rob Zellermayer is reopening it as Busby's. Stay tuned.

Really interesting move by Milwaukee's biggest craft brewery, Lakefront. I believe this is their first acquisition.

Lots of "sign of the times"-type closings recently, but this place was my go-to place for great beer when I visited Seattle. In spite of having other good options, this make me sad for existential reasons.

Anchor Brewing will get new life. And the new owner certainly seems to get the brand and the business side. sfstandard.com/2024/05/31/anc…

marketwatch.com/story/why-mill…

x.com/AricToler/stat…

Drinkers' definitions of "authentic" are in transition. There's a lot going on here. But it seems to me that authenticity may be transitioning from something inherent in the brand to something the drinker wants to see in themselves (not that these are unrelated).

Should craft beer be brewer-directed or consumer-directed? The consensus was once the former, but it seems to be transitioning to the latter. But what if it's a false choice? My latest from the First Key Insights blog (free sign-up may be required): firstkey.com/when-it-comes-…

In my view, it's no coincidence that the list of friendliest cities is dominated by beer meccas.

Congratulations to all the winners. The quality of writing in this category continues to be exceptional.

I assume most everyone in the beer business knows this by now. Congrats to Bart Watson. Well-deserved by someone who's really become indispensable in the world of craft beer. He's got a big job ahead of him, but we're all confident he's up to the task. brewbound.com/news/brewers-a…

Good get for Asahi USA/Octopi. I'll be interviewing Paul for Badger Beer Report LIVE at 6:30 pm – catch it right here or on Badger Beer Report's YouTube and Insta. Story by Bobby Tanzilo onmilwaukee.com/articles/paul-…