Episode
NBWA's Craig Purser Talks Middle-Tier Hot-Button Issues; Aeronaut's Deepa Chungi on a Successful Events Biz
- Podcast
- Brewbound Podcast
- Published
- May 20, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 3089
- Processing state
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Summary
As middle-tier M&A dominos fall this summer, National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) president and CEO Craig Purser joins the latest Brewbound Podcast to discuss the tectonic shifts in the distribution landscape following Republic National Distributing Company's (RNDC) fire sale. Purser is part of a double shot of interviews this week, including Aeronaut director of programming Deepa Chungi, who shares how the Massachusetts craft brewery created a booming events business. First, Purser offers insights into what middle-tier consolidation means for small producers and distributors, and how the power structure has been reshaped with mega spirits distributor Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits picking up Anheuser-Busch InBev's distribution rights in major markets. Purser also explains what he believes the intoxicating hemp beverage industry needs to do to get lawmakers onboard and potentially avert the ban coming in November. Then, Chungi explores the keys for small breweries looking to add private and public events to their businesses, and why events such as "Pitch a Friend" and Dungeons & Dragons game nights have packed Aeronaut's taproom. Plus, the Brewbound team discusses the demise of Schlitz, the closure of Minneapolis' Bauhaus Brew Labs and a helluva partnership for Mike's Dirty Lemonade.