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Pool Water Pale Ale: Keystone Ice returns, George Clooney's beer investment, and a brutal Trader Joe's beer review. The latest episode of Craft Beer Republic covers several recent craft beer and beer industry stories, including George Clooney's investment in Crazy Mountain Beer, the return of Keystone Ice, and Molson Coors launching Keystone Light Apple ahead of Memorial Day. Greg and Flex also spend part of the episode discussing a Trader Joe's exclusive imperial golden ale that quickly became one of the most aggressively disliked beers reviewed on the show. The episode also includes listener beer stories, discussion around Leinenkugel's and legacy brewery ownership, and reactions to several macro beer brands including Pabst Blue Ribbon, Busch Light, and Keystone. George Clooney-Backed Crazy Mountain Beer Raises $15 Million One of the major beer industry stories discussed involves Crazy Mountain Beer securing a $15 million seed funding round tied to actor George Clooney and his business partners. According to the discussion, the funding is expected to support a nationwide expansion beginning next spring. The story reflects a continuing trend of celebrity-backed alcohol investments entering the beer space, particularly as craft breweries search for new growth opportunities and broader distribution strategies. The episode briefly compares the move to other recent beverage industry celebrity partnerships and acquisitions that continue reshaping the craft beer market. Keystone Ice and Keystone Light Apple Expand Molson Coors' Lineup Molson Coors appears twice in the episode's beer news segment. First, Keystone Light Apple is set to launch ahead of Memorial Day. The flavored light beer joins a growing list of fruit-forward macro lager releases targeting seasonal beer drinkers. The hosts also discuss the return of Keystone Ice after the brand was discontinued in 2021 during Molson Coors' premiumization efforts. Keystone Ice is expected to return to shelves in 2026. The conversation turns into a broader discussion about macro beer brands including Busch Light, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Keystone, and regional drinking preferences. Pilot Tom Accidentally Roasts Leinenkugel's Founder One of the standout beer culture stories in the episode comes from listener favorite Pilot Tom. Tom recounts unknowingly criticizing the Leinenkugel's beer lineup directly to Dick Leinenkugel during a flight where Leinenkugel had reportedly covered beer tabs for passengers ordering the brewery's beer. The story also touches on the discontinued Big Eddy series and the larger history surrounding Leinenkugel's ownership under MillerCoors, including the closure discussions tied to Chippewa Falls brewing operations. The segment becomes a broader conversation about legacy regional breweries, acquisition fallout, and how longtime beer brands are viewed by modern craft beer drinkers. Trader Joe's Cookie Butter Beer Gets Destroyed Flex reviews Speculoos Cookie Butter Beer, an imperial golden ale brewed by Hardywood Park Craft Brewery for Trader Joe's. The beer features toasted coconut, vanilla beans, milk sugar, and cookie butter-inspired flavors. While the aroma receives early praise, the actual drinking experience goes downhill quickly. The review turns into a lengthy discussion about Trader Joe's private label beer program, dessert beer trends, and how flavored imperial ales can sometimes miss the mark despite strong concepts and high Untappd ratings. Featured Beers Speculoos Cookie Butter Beer - Hardywood Park Craft Brewery Imperial golden ale brewed with toasted coconut, vanilla beans, milk sugar, and cookie butter-inspired flavors. Me Again - Urban Roots Brewing West Coast IPA brewed with Citra hops featuring citrus, passion fruit, and light tropical fruit character. Episode Content Outside the beer industry discussion, the episode includes a listener story about a pale ale that allegedly tasted like heavily chlorinated pool water, comparisons between Pabst Blue Ribbon and other macro lagers, and Greg recounting a failed job interview after admitting he dislikes country music before learning the position involved editing country music television content. The episode also includes discussion about golf, wakeboarding injuries, and a Northern California campground arrest involving an intoxicated man and a running chainsaw. "Pool Water Pale Ale" is available now on Craft Beer Republic through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.

Winning new occasions: Molson Coors unveils new flavor innovations for 2026. By Nick Kindelsperger, 13 October, 2025 Molson Coors has been clear in its ambitions to grow - both in beer and beyond. And to do that, it's focusing on expanding its portfolio into more occasions where consumers are looking for a refreshing beverage. "Flavor is key to the future of our business," says vice president of marketing for above premium flavor, Elizabeth Hitch. "This space brings in new 21+ drinkers and opens the door to win back more drinking occasions." With recognizable brands already in its portfolio, including Topo Chico Hard and Simply Spiked, Molson Coors has a solid foundation to compete in the category - especially in convenience stores, where the company has focused on bringing channel-specific innovation designed to match shoppers' buying behaviors. Hitch acknowledged that flavor is also a dynamic and complex segment where innovation is key, but discipline and a focused point of view are critical to a brand's success. That's why - in time for the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) - Molson Coors is unveiling strategic innovations, expected to hit shelves early next year, from Topo Chico Hard, Simply Spiked and Redd's Wicked - including new pack types, formats and higher ABV options that round out its flavor portfolio and give 21+ consumers options that meet any occasion. Topo Chico Hard: Glass bottles and more Margarita MAX Topo Chico Hard has been making meaningful progress in 2025. In particular, strawberry guava bottles are up 12% in volume sales YTD versus the previous year for the week 9/28, according to Circana. Earlier this year, the brand also launched its Margarita FAB Variety Pack and Margarita MAX FAB, which became top innovations in C-Store and Grocery, respectively. Yet, the brand isn't settling, as it plans to build on that success with two new margarita-flavored innovations. First is its new flavor for Topo Chico Hard Margarita MAX - strawberry hibiscus. This combines one of the brand's most popular and growing flavors, with the bolder margarita flavor and higher ABV of Margarita MAX. And with the positive performance on strawberry guava bottles, the brand is also releasing Topo Chico Hard Margarita FAB Signature Margarita in glass-bottle six packs early next year. Simply Spiked: From Bold to Bolder Hitch also noted that Molson Coors is leaning into what differentiates Simply Spiked, like the fact that it's inspired by the No. 1 chilled juice brand in America. What's more, two of Simply Spiked Bold's SKUs, Cherry Limeade and Signature Lemonade, are the top two 24 oz higher-ABV innovations in c-store, according to Circana YTD for the week ending 9/28. To get Simply Spiked Bold in front of more people, the brand plans to launch a variety 6-pack to expand its reach into food channels. The brand will also stand out on the shelf, as it leans into a streamlined visual identity that is more impactful and edgier. The brand is also going one step further early next year with Simply Spiked Bolder, an even more flavorful take with a 12% ABV in smaller, 7.5-ounce cans. "This is a new take on spiked lemonade for a new occasion," says Hitch. Redd's Wicked: Biting into apple With apple-flavored beer hotter than ever, Molson Coors is building on Redd's Wicked Apple. The ale, with natural apple flavor, is already the No. 3 Higher-ABV Flavored Alt single in c-stores, according to Circana YTD for the week ending 9/28. But Hitch believes there's still room to innovate. Early next year, Molson Coors will launch Redd's Wicked Apple Bites, which sports a 12% ABV in smaller, 7.5-ounce cans. "Redd's Wicked Apple Bites is a twist on the crisp apple taste you know and love from Redd's Wicked, now with even more bite," she says. Hitch adds that Molson Coors is ready to tackle flavor in 2026. "The flavor category may be complex, but our flavor brands are solid," she says. "Plus, with these strategic innovations, we can continue to unlock new occasions."

XMC announces four major brand wins across Experiential, Sponsorship and staffing. Toronto, March 30, 2026 - XMC continues its strong 2026 momentum with four major new client wins: TikTok, Church & Dwight, Molson Coors, and Boston Pizza. Strategy Online - XMC Four Wins The new partnerships span a range of integrated marketing needs, from experiential campaigns and national staffing support to cultural activations and consumer engagement programs. The wins reinforce growing demand from brands seeking partners who can combine strategy, flawless execution, and measurable business outcomes. As brands continue shifting investment toward channels that deliver stronger connection and performance, XMC remains focused on building experiences that influence behaviour, drive conversion, and create lasting brand relevance. These new partnerships further strengthen XMC's leadership across: * Experiential Marketing(TM) * Sponsorship * National Staffing Solutions * Corporate Hospitality * Marketing Evaluation and Analytics Looking to build experiences that drive measurable growth? Let's talk. Founded in 2006, XMC is an award winning and proudly independent agency that provides strategic counsel and execution of bespoke Sponsorship and Experiential Marketing(TM) programs for over 50 world-class companies. XMC collaborates with clients to create powerful integrated marketing campaigns shaped by strategic insight, defined by meaningful execution, and supported by proprietary business tools and AI-fueled analytics. Together, we leverage shared passion points in sport, music, culture, and cause to connect, engage, and inspire target actions with our 70+ full time employees and roster of 4,000 part time employees across the country.