During the New England Craft Brew Summit in Portland, Maine, Brewbound's team engaged with key figures from the local craft beer industry. Sarah Bryan of the Maine Brewers' Guild discussed the ongoing impact of decreased tourism and the need to rebuild camaraderie within the craft community post-COVID. Allison Stevens from Thirsty Pig shared insights on industry changes, particularly around distribution and sales partnerships. Tom Ruff of Orange Bike Brewing highlighted the demand for gluten-free beers and community connection through diverse offerings. Overall, the discussion unveiled important trends and collaborative efforts within Maine's craft beer landscape.
"It's very easy for breweries to feel like they're on an island, there's always something more to be done...creating pathways for them to work together."
"Changes I witnessed include distribution consolidation and shrinking sales teams...breweries can be the best partners for retail accounts."
"The venture has opened my eyes to the amount of consumers looking for gluten-free options, and the impact the availability of diverse beer options has on connecting the community."
"Our huge strategic goal is to re-stitch-together a sense of pre-COVID camaraderie in the industry, focusing on communication and collaboration among breweries."
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