New Craft Beer Republic Episode Covers Stone Brewing Acquisition, World Beer Cup Winners, and More

Craft Beer Podcast: Stone Brewing Acquisition, World Beer Cup Winners, and Industry Shakeups

A new episode of the Craft Beer Republic podcast is now live, covering some of the biggest stories in the craft beer industry right now, including the Stone Brewing acquisition, World Beer Cup results, and the return of 21st Amendment to distribution.

This week’s episode, titled “Flex vs Corporate Beer Lady,” mixes major beer industry news with the kind of real-world brewery and beer culture conversations that craft beer fans actually care about.

Stone Brewing Acquisition Headlines Craft Beer News

One of the biggest stories in craft beer right now is the acquisition of Stone Brewing by Firestone Walker and Duvel USA.

The deal marks another major shift in ownership for one of the most recognizable craft beer brands in the United States. Once completed, Stone Brewing will return to “craft” status under Brewers Association guidelines, a move that could impact distribution, branding, and long-term positioning in the beer market.

The episode breaks down what this means for craft beer drinkers, including production changes, distribution shifts, and how this impacts the broader craft beer landscape. And what it means for it's current owners, Sapporo USA.

21st Amendment Revival and Brewery Buyout Trends

The episode also covers the acquisition of 21st Amendment Brewery by Evil Genius Beer Company.

After shutting down, the brand is now being revived with plans to bring its core beers back to distribution across the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest. This continues a growing trend of legacy craft beer brands being acquired, repositioned, and reintroduced to the market.

For craft beer fans, it raises a familiar question. What happens to a brand after it changes hands?

World Beer Cup Winners Highlight Top Breweries

The latest World Beer Cup results are also discussed, with a focus on standout breweries and regions making an impact.

Orange County breweries made a strong showing, alongside familiar names like Russian River, Firestone Walker, and Pizza Port. The awards continue to highlight the evolving strength of regional craft beer scenes across the United States.

For anyone tracking quality and trends in craft beer, the World Beer Cup remains one of the most important competitions in the industry.

What Else Is Covered in This Episode

Along with major craft beer news, the episode includes:

• A listener voicemail about flat beer and bad cans that follows up on Chew's voicemail from a couple weeks ago.

• A real-world encounter between Flex and a corporate beer employee.

• A discussion around experimental brewing techniques.

• A look at trending beers and regional availability.

• A viral story involving a Tesla DUI and autopilot.

  
  

As always, the show blends craft beer news with real conversations from people actively involved in beer culture.

Beers Featured in This Episode

This week’s beers include:

• Alphabetical Order Pink Guava Gose from Component Brewing.

• Bear Hug Hazy IPA from Touchstone Brewing.

  
  

Both beers highlight current trends in craft beer, including fruited sour beers and hazy IPAs, two of the most popular styles in today’s market.

Listen to the Latest Craft Beer Republic Episode

The full episode of Craft Beer Republic is available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.

If you are following craft beer news, brewery acquisitions, or just want a grounded take on what is actually happening in the industry, this episode covers it.