Celebrating the Best in Brews: Brewbound Awards and Rising Stars of 2023
Oh hoppy day, beer lovers and fermenting fanatics! Brewbound, the mega-mike for the beverage-alcohol biz, has just doled out its 2023 Award Winners and tipped its hat to a fresh batch of Rising Stars. The celebration went down at the jam-packed Brewbound Live biz bash in none other than Marina del Rey, California. So, put down your pints and let’s toast to the champs!
Craft Brewery of the Year: Lawson’s Finest Liquids
Big cheers to Lawson’s Finest Liquids, hailing from picturesque Waitsfield, Vermont. This brew crew not only snagged the Craft Brewery of the Year title but also bagged a nifty B Corporation Certification – talk about eco & ego-boosting! Plus, they’re soaking up the sun in style with the state’s largest solar canopy, powering their brews on 100% green energy. But wait, there’s more—these kind-hearted hopheads channeled a cool $40k to the Vermont Strong fund for flood victims. Heartwarming? Absolutely. Environmentally conscious? As clear as their IPA.
Passing the Pint: New Leadership at Lawson’s
Sean Lawson, the hop-whisperer co-founder of Lawson’s, has passed the CEO baton to Adeline Druart. Under Adeline’s watch, the brand plans to sky-rocket even further while Sean and the clan remain the brewery’s noble brand stewards and ambassadors. Here’s to new beginnings and brewing legacies!
Large Brewery of the Year: Athletic Brewing Company
The wizards of non-alcoholic (NA) beer, Athletic Brewing Company, are proof that sans-alcohol can still pack a punch. Hurdling past the 100,000-barrel milestone in 2021, Athletic is setting the pace to charge towards a beefy 250,000 barrels this year. Give them a round of…non-alcoholic applause?
It’s a (N)A Brave New World
With a list of media and food partners that’d make even the most connected influencer blush—JetBlue, TGI Fridays, Netflix—Athletic is putting NA beer on the map in a big way. And yep, you’ve guessed it, they’re on track to be the #1 NA beer brand family by year’s end. Mind-blowing, right?
Beyond Beer Company of the Year: BeatBox Beverages
Shake up your tail feathers for BeatBox Beverages, the party punch conjurers who have the nation’s shindigs in the palm of their hand. After funneling a tidal wave of triple-digit growth, they’re now buddies with 7-Eleven and have punk rock royalty Avril Lavigne singing their praises. And with under 140,000 barrels set to flow this year, they’re certainly not skimping on the good times.
Beer Champions of the Year: The National Black Brewers Association
Lifting a glass to diversity, the National Black Brewers Association (NB2A) has been carving out a spot for Black-owned breweries in the craft beer scene. With less than 1% representation in U.S. craft breweries, the NB2A’s founding members are pioneering change one craft brew at a time. Saluting these industry shifters who are enriching the brewing culture with every pour.
Person of the Year: Garrett Marrero of Maui Brewing
Garrett Marrero of Maui Brewing is the hero we all need, diving into action during the wildfires that left scars on Maui in August. Spearheading supply runs, collecting essentials, and distributing water, he embodied the very essence of community spirit. Not one to rest, he also launched the Kokua Project, brewing up a storm for a good cause. Now that’s a reason to raise your glass high!
Here’s to the Newcomers: Brewbound’s Rising Stars
The future is bubbling with promise as Brewbound’s class of 2023 Rising Stars step into the spotlight. These seven emerging bevvie behemoths are giving us a sneak peek into what’s brewing on the horizon. From innovative pours to community dedication, each of these companies is here to shake up the beer spectrum with a frothy mix of passion and innovation.
A Glimpse at the Fresh Faces
From the sunny coast of Monterey to the city that never sleeps, these Rising Stars are not just making beer; they’re making statements. Alvarado Street Brewery, Crowns & Hops, Torch & Crown – you name it, they’re here, and they’re redefining the craft scene. With creative zest and community focus, these fresh hops are ready to leave their own legacies in our glasses.
What’s Brewbound, Anyway?
You might be imagining Brewbound as a group of monks scribing the sacred texts of suds. And while they’re not donning robes, they’re indeed the gurus of the grain, offering deep dives into the beer industry’s beats. Delivering insights through articles, podcasts, and live events, Brewbound is where the alcohol-beverage world turns for the latest news and expert analysis.
More Than Just News
It’s not just hot-off-the-press updates with these folks: Brewbound brings the best brains in beer together for a proverbial round-table of ideas, successes, and frothy forecasts for the beverage sector. In short, they’re the hosts you want at your next industry party.
And there you have it, folks—the grand roll call of beer extraordinaires and fizzy up-and-comers, all toasted at Brewbound’s latest fête. Here’s a frothy salute to their accomplishments, and may their barrels never run dry. Keep those taps flowing and the innovation going, because in the world of wort and hops, the future is looking brilliantly bubbly.
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