In this week’s U.S. beverage industry audio brief, we cover the critical developments shaping the alcohol market as Q4 begins:

• Category Trends: Spirits and wine continue to cool, while beer marks its tenth straight monthly shipment decline. RTDs and select imports shine as bright spots.
• Consumer Signals: Costco’s comps slow, renewal rates dip, and University of Michigan sentiment plunges — reflecting a more cautious shopper.
• THC Beverages: Explosive growth in Minnesota and expanding portfolios from Untitled Art and Birdie meet mounting regulatory pushback in Illinois and Washington.
• Corporate Moves: Sazerac acquires Western Son Vodka, Buffalo Trace fills its nine-millionth barrel, Brown-Forman announces a $400M buyback, and Far Niente installs a new CEO.
• On-Premise & Retail: Hooters exits Chapter 11 with a new franchise model, casual dining pivots to $10 meal value strategies, while Costco trims holiday assortments.
• Supply Chain & Risk: California’s 2025 winegrape crush projected at 2.4M tons; Napa’s Pickett Fire threatens $65M in grapes; and a $1M whiskey theft highlights logistics vulnerabilities.
• Regulation & Compliance: TTB shutdown contingency plans could stall approvals, Maine cuts off DTC shipments, and a California bribery case underscores three-tier compliance stakes.
• Premium Spirits Reset: IWSR data shows U.S. status spirits down 5% in 2024; Cognac declines, Scotch steadies, and high-end agave shows signs of peaking.

From shifting consumer sentiment and supply chain risks to major acquisitions and regulatory hurdles, this week’s episode delivers the essential insights beverage leaders need to navigate a challenging but opportunity-filled landscape.