The Barrel One Collective Briefing: Dec 2025

Welcome to the final 2025 edition of The B1C Briefing — a bi-monthly roundup of news and updates across Barrel One Collective‘s portfolio (Harpoon, Long Trail, UFO, Shed, Clown Shoes, Smuttynose, Wachusett, Crystal Light Vodka Refreshers, Greater Good, and others) and nine brewery-taprooms across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

As the largest craft beer producer in New England, we’re always glad to connect for conversations on industry trends and developments. If there are any updates below that you’d like to discuss further, give us a shout at [email protected].

A message from Nathaniel Davis, CEO of Barrel One Collective:

This year, Barrel One Collective (B1C) came together to chart a bold new path for craft beverages in the Northeast. January 2025 marked the official formation of B1C, with two iconic, independent brewing groups, Mass. Bay Brewing and Finestkind, merging to become one unified company with a single mission: build the most trusted, resilient, and creatively-driven craft beverage house in the country.

While each brand retained its DNA, we began the year with a shared commitment to operate as one company – aligning systems, teams, workflows, calendars, and financial planning in record time, making complicated operations simpler to build locally tailored portfolios that make life easier for wholesalers, retailers, and consumers.

Barrel One Collective by the Numbers:
The combined portfolio includes 15 brands andreaches over 12,000 active retail accounts, a milestone achieved for the first time this year

B1C spans 3 states, with 9 taproom locations, and has one of the largest independent craft footprints in the Northeast

A Portfolio Delivering Purposeful Product Momentum: Harpoon IPA received a design refresh that will be rolling off production lines in January 2026 as part of Harpoon’s 40th Anniversarycampaign

Wachusett made a massive comeback on the heels of a 2024 rebranding effort, which we shared in our previous briefing

Our Most Significant Strategic Move of the Year:
In June, B1C acquired Greater Good, the nation’s first and leading 100% imperial brewing company. A defining moment for the portfolio, this acquisition brought:A new category – imperial craft – into the portfolio in a meaningful way

A powerful fanbase centered around Worcester and central Massachusetts
Immediate scale in high-ABV innovation

A creative platform that opens the door for future collaboration across all B1C brands

A Year Well Fought – and Well Earned:
2025 was a year defined by scrappiness, shared wins, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Additional B1C highlights include:Strengthened distributor partnerships across all major New England territories

New efficiencies in packaging that reduced production overlap and accelerated speed to market
A unified sales and marketing vision that allowed each brand to maintain its individuality while capturing the power of the portfolio

2025 was the year B1C came together, and 2026 will be the year we show the world what we can do. Cheers to a year well earned. And an even bigger one ahead.
 



Product News
The New Harpoon IPA Hits Shelves in Feb 2026 – While it’s still the same bright, floral, and crisp IPA that helped define a category, Harpoon’s flagship beer got its first major design update in 5+ years. The new packaging reclaims Harpoon’s storied identity in a contemporary, confident way, and celebrates its deep Boston roots while expressing its timeless appeal for a new generation of drinkers.

Brewery News & Events
The Holly Jolly Christmas Bar at Harpoon Seaport – This pop-up experience, running through Dec 28, has proven to be a massive success, selling out nearly every session of holiday cheer. Friday hours have been extended to include additional time slots. Holiday vibes are strong in Boston!

Ski The East Winter Stoke Party – On Jan 3, 2026 at 5PM, Ski The East drops in on Long Trail to celebrate the new packaging on their wildly popular collab beer. Meet the team behind the most popular East Coast ski brand, check out the new custom beer label, scope some new merch, and après all day.