Herman Merinoff, Co-chairman of the Charmer Sunbelt Group Died Last Month at the age of 77. During his Time With the Business, he Expanded the Company to 15 States and Washington, D.c.

Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, Charlotte, N.C., has purchased a new beverage called Respect from Larry Trachtenbroit’s Braintwist via its Beverages & Beyond Brands division. The line is thought to be a non-carbonated line and joins the Cinnabon product CCBCC previously purchased from Braintwist.

Redhook Ale Brewery, Woodinville, Wash., celebrates its 25 anniversary this summer. To mark the occasion, the company has launched the Barley Audible Music Festival, to be held at its brewery in August. “The Barley Audible Music Festival is exactly what we envisioned when we moved the brewery to Woodinville,” said Redhook co-founder Paul Shipman in a statement. “We have come a long way since we opened our doors 25 years ago in Ballard, when we created an unconventional place for people tired of ordinary beer.”

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani will give the keynote address at the National Beer Wholesalers Association annual convention in Orlando, Fla., Sept. 17-20 at the Orlando World Center Marriott. Since leaving his post as mayor, Giuliani established the Giuliani Partners consulting firm. In 2005, he became a partner in the law firm of Bracewell & Giuliani.

Alaskan Brewing Co., Juneau, last month won Best Creative Team and Best Corporate Communicator awards at the American Business Awards. The company was cited for having authentic and highly innovative creative programs.

The International Bottled Water Association, Alexandria, Va., has opened registration for the 2006 IBWA Convention and Trade Show on its Web site bottledwater.org. The convention will be held in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino Oct. 3-6, and will feature educational opportunities as well as innovations in the bottled water industry.

Oak Beverages, Blauvelt, N.Y., will distribute Ramapo Valley Brewery’s Honey Lager and Copper Ale, which are distinctive for their whey-free formulation, making them consumable by individuals with Celiac’s disease. The company also has added three flavors of Daily’s Fruit Mixers — Mojito, Cosmopolitan and Mango Daiquiri Mixers — from American Beverage Corp. to its lineup.

Clayton Christopher, founder and chief executive officer of Sweet Leaf Tea, Austin, Texas, was named the 2006 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Central Texas. Christopher is one of 31 finalists for the National Entrepreneur of the Year award.

Hobarama LLC, Miami, Fla., has teamed with with Detroit-based Intrastate Distributors Inc. to distribute its Bawls Guarana and Bawls Guaranexx products. The companies previously had a bottling relationship, but will now add distribution to Intrastate’s 3,500 retail accounts.

New Jersey-based Winebow Inc. has acquired Boston Wine Co., Somerville, Mass. Earlier this year, Winebow acquired Mid-State Distributors LLC, adding Connecticut to its distribution markets in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. Boston Wine Co.’s general manager, Tom Docktor; brand manager, Skip Cribari; and operations manager, Greg Farris are expected to continue to lead the Massachusetts business, and the operations will continue to be run out of the Somerville facility. Bill Friedberg, founder of Boston Wine Co., will become a consultant to the business during the transition period following the acquisition.

Jackson Family Wines will buy Murphy-Goode Estate Winery, which produces mainly red wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel, in California’s Alexander Valley.