Within the beverage market, one segment in particular has shown the power of “local” — craft beer.

Craft Beverage Expo (CBExpo), the conference for independent producers, announced that industry and marketing experts Christian McMahan and Tom Flanagan will lead the event’s keynote sessions. The CBExpo will take Nov. 7-9 in Portland, Ore.

Last month, Wynwood Brewing Co. introduced La Rubia Blonde Ale in cans. After years of consumer requests, Wynwood is excited to deliver the perfect vessel to take La Rubia and its loyal Miami supporters to new adventures and places, the company says.

Its rich history, diversified portfolio and commitment to providing best-in-class service to its customers are among the reasons that Grey Eagle Distributors is Beverage Industry’s 2017 Wholesaler of the Year.

Constellation Brands Inc., Victor, N.Y., announced its purchase of Oakland Park, Fla.-based Funky Buddha Brewery, reinforcing its strategy to lead the high-end beer segment in the United States. Funky Buddha will join Constellation’s Craft & Specialty Beer Group.

King takes great pride in Side Project’s bold label and package design. He recognizes the importance of design in the overall experience for the drinker. “We know it’s what’s inside the bottle that counts,” King says. “But we also appreciate how a bottle is presented. Its label and packaging keep the customer remembering what they tasted.”

The National Honey Board, Firestone, Colo., is celebrating National Honey Month in September with the help of breweries across the United States. National Honey Month is an annual celebration of honey, honey bees and the ingredient that plays an essential role in brewing, the Board says.

Getting ready for fall, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery announced the release of its fall seasonal Punkin Ale, which originally debuted in 1994. 

Although the eCommerce effect has presented a new dynamic for the retail market, the convenience store (c-store) channel has shown itself to be resilient. However, experts note that the channel still is navigating other consumer packaged goods (CPG) trends in order to meet the needs of today’s consumer.

When reading the Sunday paper last month (yes, I’m a millennial who gets a physical newspaper), my interest was piqued when learning about a new craft beer collaboration.