Jessica Infante joined Brewbound in 2019 after nearly a decade in a variety of marketing roles in the craft beer industry. Prior to that, she was a daily newspaper reporter at the Jersey Shore. Jess holds a bachelor’s degree in magazine journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and a master’s degree in integrated marketing communication from Emerson College. She is a certified Cicerone and lives in Salem, Massachusetts.
Ball Corp., the world’s largest manufacturer of aluminum beverage cans, has sold its business in Russia to the Arnest Group for $530 million. Arnest is “the largest manufacturer of perfume, cosmetic and household products in aerosol packaging in Russia,” and Ball’s aluminum aerosol division has collaborated with Arnest in the past.
The Yellowstone universe has expanded into the cold boxes and warm shelves of Texas – with more states to follow – in the form of craft beers and ranch waters from 6666 Grit & Glory. The products are the result of a collaboration between Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, 101 Studios CEO and producer David Glasser and beverage incubator L.A. Libations.
After more than a year under the wing of Molson Coors, spirits-based, ready-to-drink canned cocktail maker Superbird will leave the nest as Molson Coors hands the reins to the brand’s distribution efforts back to its parent company, Casa Komos Brands Group (CKBG).
Keeping up with consumer trends, twin brothers and business partners Don and William Ray shifted service at the nightclub and bars they owned in Fayetteville, Arkansas, to focus on craft cocktails made by hand. However, the cavernous rooms and massive bars were built to accommodate far more people than a typical intimate cocktail lounge, overwhelming bartenders and slowing down service time.
Two of the biggest names in beverage-alcohol data are joining forces. Global data giant NielsenIQ announced today it has acquired on-premise data firm CGA, in which it initially invested in 2009. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
In the on-premise channel, bars and restaurants have earned more than $12,000 on average from the sale of cocktails in the first quarter of 2022, compared to the 12 weeks that ended October 22, reported CGA, which focuses on on-premise retail occasions.
Ready-to-drink canned cocktail maker Crook & Marker has confirmed the elimination of positions in its sales force, according to a company spokesperson. The spokesperson declined to share the specific number of jobs that were eliminated.
Vermont lawmakers have advanced a bill to lower taxes on and grant wider market access to spirits-based, ready-to-drink (RTD) canned cocktails. If signed by Gov. Phil Scott, the bill (H.730) will go into effect July 1. It would lower state excise tax on spirits-based RTDs from $7.68 per gallon to $1.10 gallon.
Ball Corporation, the world’s largest manufacturer of aluminum beverage cans, reported $1.6 billion in sales in its North and Central America beverage packaging business unit for the first quarter of 2022, a +23% increase over the same period last year.
Waterbird Spirits believes two container sizes will take the brand to the next stratosphere of growth: 24 oz. single-serve cans and half-barrel kegs, according to founder Wilson Craig.
Constellation Brands’ beer business recorded an +11% increase in net sales growth, to $6.75 billion, for the company’s 2022 full fiscal year.
E-commerce beverage-alcohol platform Provi has filed a complaint against Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits and Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) – the country’s two largest wine and spirits distributors – alleging that the companies have unlawfully stifled the growth of its platform.
The company posted net sales of $10.279 billion for the year that ended December 31. Worldwide, shipments (sales to wholesalers) declined -0.5% and brand volume (similar to depletions, which are sales to retailers) declined -1.7% over the course of the year. However, Molson Coors’ price and sales mix increased +5.2% as it continued to focus on the premiumization of its portfolio.
Premium offerings and ready-to-drink packaged cocktails propelled the spirits category to $35.8 billion in sales in 2021, a +12% increase from 2020, the Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. (DISCUS) announced this week.
