The craft brewing industry has continued its strong growth in the first half of 2015, according to new mid-year data released by the Boulder, Colo.-based Brewers Association, the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small, independent American craft brewers. American craft beer production volume increased 16 percent during the first half of the year, it says. 

English cider maker Thatchers is re-launching its Green Goblin Cider to the U.S. market in a new 330-ml bottle, in partnership with Innis & Gunn USA Inc. (IGUSA) seven months after entrusting the craft brewer’s U.S. business with its flagship brand, Thatchers Gold.

Los Angeles-based Pabst Brewing Co., announced today that it will open a new brewery in Milwaukee on the site of the original Pabst Brewery, which was founded in 1844. Partnering with Milwaukee-based developers Zilber Ltd. and BRM, Pabst plans to sign a multi-year lease on a building within the Pabst brewery complex and expects to open the brewery to the public in the summer of 2016, marking a return to its hometown and birthplace, the company says.

White Plains, N.Y.-based Heineken USA announces the return of the Beers of Mexicovariety pack. Joining the mix this year is Dos Equis Roja, a distinctive red lager crafted with Mexican malted barley and hops. This latest version of the Beers of Mexico pack will be available in 12- and 24-packs starting Aug. 1.

Pittsburgh Brewing Co. now offers a new India Pale Lager

This September, White Plains, N.Y.-based Heineken USA’s Tecate Light is extending its Born Bold program to capitalize on Mexican Independence Day celebrations, the company says. By tapping into Mexican-American duality, Tecate Light is encouraging bi-cultural LDA+ consumers to celebrate the authentic Mexican holiday with its beer, it says. The Born Bold program is supported with national TV spots, digital and social media, and Independence Day focused bilingual messaging on point-of-sales (POS) and displays, the company adds,

To continue to expand its coaching and mentoring program to small businesses across the country, Boston Beer Co.’s Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream announced a partnership with Entrepreneur Media to host the second annual Pitch Room Wild Card Competition. The virtual competition will be hosted on www.entrepreneur.com and allows small-business owners to submit a product sales pitch for a chance to participate in the in-person final round and pitch to a panel of expert judges and retail buyers, the company says.

Mike’s Hard Lemonade Co. launched Palm Breeze Ruby Red Citrus and Palm Breeze Pineapple Mandarin Orange in the U.S.

Anheuser-Busch, the St. Louis-based subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev, announced it will invest more than $1.5 billion in its U.S. brewing, agriculture, packaging and distributing operations by 2018. These investments will support growth of its brands and reinforce the beer company's commitment to the U.S. communities where it operates through local spending and jobs, the company says. The beer company plans to spend an estimated $850 million on brewery- and packaging-expansion projects, $220 million on product innovation initiatives, and $720 million in sustaining and increasing efficiency of its existing footprint, it adds.