Our Insights - First Key Consulting

Our latest thinking on topics in the brewing industry.

Rebuilding an Iconic Brewery in New Orleans

This is the story of rebuilding the iconic Dixie Brewery in New Orleans. The story continues to evolve as on June 26, 2020, Mrs. Gayle Benson announced a process was underway to retire the Dixie Brewery name.

Hard Seltzer Production Methods

The basic procedure for making a hard seltzer is to ferment a sugar solution to make a strong alcoholic base beverage.

A Taster’s Approach to Non-Alcohol Beer

As new non-alcohol beers enter the market, the key to success for breweries is to better understand the process, including the choice of beer styles, flavour characteristics and ingredients that make great tasting non-alcoholic beers.

Alternatives to Dry Milling

Dry milling works well for many breweries. However, two alternatives to dry milling — conditioned milling and wet milling — offer some improvements over dry milling.

The Rise of Draft Beer

Where will draft’s share of the US beer market be in five years? Despite some short-term setbacks related to the pandemic, the drivers of growth may well outweigh any downward drag.

TRU Colors: A Vision of Social Transformation Takes Form in a Brewery

In parallel with construction of its new brewery in Wilmington, North Carolina, TRU Colors Brewing Company is building a brand on a set of ideas that owner George Taylor believes can change American life for the better.

Seeking Importance: How Imported Beers Are Competing in Today’s Crowded Marketplace

Here’s how foreign breweries are making imported beer feel important again. They’re swapping glass bottles for cans, embracing variety packs, collaborating with of-the-moment breweries, and experimenting with new ingredients.

Different Drums: Beer and Cannabis

Are beer drinkers and cannabis users the same consumer? They may have less in common than most people assume. This article investigates whether personality data can explain variation in the real-world geographic performance of both beer and cannabis.