Top Note Tonic Hires Former Heineken VP

qc0wdh-f_400x400Milwaukee, Wis. (Dec. 6, 2016) – Top Note Tonic, a premium line of artisan mixers for cocktails and mocktails, has hired George Simpson as its chief sales and marketing officer. Simpson has more than 20 years of beverage experience in the United States and Europe and was mostly recently vice president at Heineken in Amsterdam working globally across the company’s beer and cider brands. At Heineken, his responsibilities ranged from marketing and brand portfolio strategy to category development and M&A.

“I’m thrilled to join Top Note Tonic. The premium mixer market is a dynamic category that’s poised for growth and I look forward to helping Top Note fulfill its vast potential to capitalize on the consumer movement to craft cocktails and beverages,” says Simpson. “I have a clear focus on expanding the Top Note footprint and continuing to provide a compelling portfolio of products that delights consumers while expanding to a variety of formats.”

Top Note Tonic was established in 2014 by Mary Pellettieri and Noah Swanson who created a line of mixers with unique, complex flavors that are versatile enough to be paired with premium spirits or enjoyed on their own.

Like Simpson, Pellettieri has more than 20 years in the beverage industry and is a recognized innovator. She spent eight years with Goose Island Beer Company and was part of the team that created Matilda, Sofie and 312. From there, she moved to brewing giant MillerCoors and later wrote a book on quality management for the Brewers Association.

“In addition to the quality of the Top Note product, I was excited by Mary’s vision, passion, knowledge and experience,” says Simpson. “There’s a shift from sweet, sugary mixers to more complex offerings and Top Note is well positioned to take advantage of that trend.”

About Top Note Tonic

Founded in 2014 and based in Milwaukee, Wis., Top Note Tonic is an all-natural line of herbal tonic mixers that cocktail enthusiasts can use to craft custom “hard” drinks or Italian-style soft beverages. The Top Note Tonic line includes five varieties – Bitter Orange, Bitter Lemon, Gentian Lime, Indian Tonic and Ginger Beer. When added to seltzer, club soda or sparkling water, the mixers deliver a complex tasting drink. The Top Note Tonic name comes from the field of sensory science since top notes are the ephemeral aromas found in wine, beer and spirits that produce a multi-sensory experience. For more information, visit topnotetonic.com.