News Briefs

The Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co.
, Chippewa Falls, Wis., has added new markets for its Sunset Wheat brand, including the Gulf Coast (Mobile, Ala.; Pensacola, Fla., and Mississippi); New Hampshire; Vermont; Virginia (Richmond and Norfolk); and Colorado. The company says it also has increased its presence in areas such as Cincinnati, Dayton, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio; Detroit and other parts of Michigan; Iowa; Nebraska; Illinois, Northern Indiana and Indianapolis.
The Rainforest Alliance, an international conservation organization, has teamed up with Nespresso, the espresso manufacturing branch of Nestlé, to promote environmental sustainability and social responsibility on the farms that produce coffee for Nespresso’s gourmet espresso capsules. Using funding from the International Financial Corp., Nestlé will evaluate more than 4,500 plantations from which it sources coffee.
The U.S. Congress granted Vietnam Permanent Normal Trade Relations status, a step that ensures U.S. companies will benefit from its accession to the World Trade Organization on Jan. 1, announced the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. Vietnam's WTO membership will pave the way for increased U.S. distilled spirits exports to Vietnam through tariff reductions and excise tax reform, it says. Spirits companies will be able to engage in wholesale and retail business three years after Vietnam joins the WTO.
Jamba Juice stock soon will be listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange. The company announced plans to merge with Services Acquisition Corp. International and to have its shares listed by the end of November.
Rudy Beverage announced a deal with sales and marketing company Hynes, a unit of Global Beverage Solutions, to market its sports drink, Rudy Revolution, and children’s beverage Rudy! Rudy! Flying Colors. Hynes specializes in health products and operates in the Midwest, Southwest, Southeast, Mid-Atlantic and New England states.