“Unreasonable Innovation”: Tip Top Cocktails on 2024 Lineup and Strategy
If Tip Top Proper Cocktails had the resources, it would’ve released 11 new styles of canned cocktails this year.
Spirits: On-Premise Sales Steady, Vodka Finds Promise in Fine Dining
Spirits sales at restaurants and bars are mostly steady, with recent data from WSWA’s SipSource and NIQ’s CGA revealing more optimism for the year but still pointing to lower growth levels than in past years. In other happenings on-premise, March Madness was a slam dunk for bars and vodka may find more possibilities in fine dining.
Tequila Regulators Take Aim at Additive-Free
In the past few years, “additive-free,” a term used to designate tequila that’s been produced without sweeteners and other artificial ingredients, has evolved into a buzzword. And it’s not just wellness crowds, celebrities, and big tequila brands that have clocked the trend— it’s Mexican federal authorities, too.
Beam Suntory Rebrands to Suntory Global Spirits
Beam Suntory is rebranding to Suntory Global Spirits, a move that both reflects back on the decade since the Japanese spirit giant acquired the maker of Jim Beam, as well as the company’s continued evolution into a global premium spirits and ready-to-drink competitor.
Beverage Vet Brandon Cason, Jason Aldean Team Up for New Hard Tea, Teabird
Brandon Cason, the founder of Canteen Spirits and Waterloo Sparkling Water, is moving into malternatives with the release of TEABIRD this week, a hard tea backed by country music star Jason Aldean.
Pernod Ricard Sales Drop -2% As U.S. Double-Digit Declines Persist
Pernod Ricard is still facing headwinds in the U.S. and China after reporting a -2% organic decline in sales in the first nine months of FY 2024, with sales expected to stay “broadly stable” for the rest of the year.
Surfside Rides Hard Tea Wave With National Distribution, New Flavors
Surfside, a fast-growing line of canned iced tea and vodka cocktails, is getting the summer par-tea started with five new SKUs and a distribution expansion putting the brand in over 40 states, the company announced today.
Pernod Ricard’s Ace Beverage Group Acquires Canadian RTD Nude
Pernod Ricard-owned Corby Spirit and Wine, Canada’s second largest marketer and distributor of spirits and wines, has agreed to purchase RTD brand Nude for $8 million ($11 million CAD).
“It’s Not About Selling Out For a Big Gain”: Six Questions With New Riff Distilling Founder Ken Lewis
After a 50-year run in BevAlc that saw him launch New Riff Distilling and The Party Source, Kentucky’s largest spirits retailer, Ken Lewis retired last month.
Expanding Its Portfolio, Next Century Spirits Acquires Southwest Spirits & Wine
Next Century Spirits, the spirits supplier behind American single malt whiskey Bear Fight, has acquired a majority of Southwest Spirits & Wine brand assets, the company announced today.
NielsenIQ: BevAlc Sales Growth Decelerates, Volumes Decline
Total BevAlc sales growth decelerated in the two-week period ending April 6, reflecting stronger volume declines and slightly rising average pricing growth, according to Goldman Sachs Equity Research’s latest analysis of NielsenIQ data.
Casa Azul Wins Trademark Case Against Clase Azul
A judge has ruled in favor of Casa Azul, the tequila company founded by beverage innovator Lance Collins, in a trademark trial against long standing tequila brand Clase Azul.
Spirit of Gallo Backs Mexico’s Condesa Gin to Boost Super Premium Portfolio
Spirit of Gallo is adding a new Mexican spirit to its portfolio by making a strategic investment in Mexico City’s Condesa Gin, which it will also import, the company announced today.
Spirits Distribution: Betty Booze, Sunshine Punch Go National; Play Hard Scores in IL
Our latest distribution roundup finds Sunshine Punch and Betty Booze signing on for national distribution with one of the big guys, Play Hard vodka seltzer expanding into a new state and stadium, Gay Water going west and Teremana Tequila going global.