How Lawson's Stays on Brand, and Rhinegeist's Plans Amid Hemp Bev Prohibition

2023 was a sea-change year for several craft breweries who underwent leadership changes. Lawson's Finest Liquids and Rhinegeist Brewery were among the companies who underwent CEO transitions that year.    Lawson's CEO Adeline Druart and Rhinegeist CEO Adam Bankovich discuss entering Year 3 of their respective tenures at the top of those companies in separate featured interviews on the latest edition of the Brewbound Podcast.   In the first conversation, Druart dives into the "ongoing conversation" at the Vermont brewery of "what makes a Lawson's Finest beer a Lawson's Finest beer" and defines what makes a Sunshine brand.   "Really for us, it's IPAs – clear IPAs using Citra hops, and with a very bold flavor profile," she said. "The more conversations we have like those – defining who we are, the more I'd say clear we are moving forward what's on brand, what's off brand."   Druart also discusses the impact of Lawson's community giving programs, accelerating business by moving distribution to Baker Distributing in its home state, the launch of Hop Wired hazy and juicy IPA and much more.   Then, Bankovich explores the anniversary of launching the Cincinnati craft brewery's first NA beer line Ghost, with new offerings to follow. He also explains why launching Fuzzy Bones, a sparkling THC drink, has been a challenging and educational "crash course," following Ohio's ban on intoxicating hemp beverages.   Fuzzy Bones launched in six states, with three additional states expected to follow. Rhinegeist is "trying to stay nimble with it," as a federal ban looms in November.    "I wish that our government officials could learn enough from the past to act quickly because this industry developed so quickly, seemingly out of nowhere," he said. "We just really need a chance to not fall into the trap of Prohibition and instead write proper regulation now and in real time as consumers want these products instead of prohibiting them for years and years and years."   Bankovich also dishes on Rhinegeist's daily hospitality efforts to make guest experiences' special, the growth of the company's core Truth and Cincy Light brand families and several expedited new additions: Half Truth session IPA, limited-time summer offering Cincy Light Watermelon and Sea Salt and Cincy Vodka Soda, the company's first spirit-based offering.   Before the interviews, the Brewbound team reviews that latest news, including: A recent Bump Williams Consulting report on long-tail craft brands finding success; Leadership changes at the American Cider Association; And Boston Beer's 15% ABV Lytt beyond beer creation in glow-in-the-dark, lightbulb-shaped 6.8 oz. containers.