Skyy Spirits LLC will continue U.S. distribution of Berry Bros. & Rudd Spirits Ltd.’s Scotch whisky portfolio, including Cutty Sark Blended Scotch Whisky and The Glenrothes Single Malt Scotch Whiskies. The San Francisco-based company has imported the brands for seven years.

The Glass Packaging Institute announced a call for entries for the 17th annual Clear Choice Awards, which recognize glass packaging’s contribution to the image, marketability, sustainability and success of food, beverage and cosmetic products. To enter, participants should visit gpi.org for an E-Call for Entries form. Winning products will be announced in Chicago at the Clear Choice Awards Presentation during the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) Show in May, and will be displayed at the FMI Show, Pack Expo Las Vegas 2007 and the Package Design Conference Expo.

Future Brands LLC, Deerfield, Ill., has renewed its agreement with Glazer’s Distributors for exclusive, long-term distribution of Beam Global Spirits & Wine and Absolut Vodka brands in Texas and Louisiana.  

Fetzer Vineyards was named a 2007 Brand With A Conscience by the Medinge Group, an international think-tank focusing on branding and business. The award was presented in France, and Fetzer was among a group that included Whole Foods, Virgin Group, IKEA, Adnams, Ecover, Freeplay and RED. According to Medinge, the winners were evaluated on the principles of humanity and ethics, rather than on financial worth. Criteria include “whether or not the brand takes risks in line with its beliefs” and the decisions were based on reputation, history and an assessment of expressed values of sustainability.

The Victoria Beverage Co., which imports the Victoria Soda brand, announced it will close its doors at the end of June due to its parent company’s decision to stop exporting the brand to the United States. The company says it will continue to accept orders until March 30.

Reed's Inc., maker of Reed’s Ginger Brew has became a publicly traded company, trading on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board under the symbol REED.OB. The initial public offering for 2 million shares of Reed’s common stock was priced at $4 per share, and the company says proceeds of the offering will be used to expand product lines and allow broader product distribution in mainstream grocery channels.

National Distributing Co., Atlanta, has been appointed exclusive distributor for Jackson Family Wines in Colorado and exclusive distributor for both Hangar One and Codorniu in South Carolina. NDC already distributes Jackson wines in New Mexico, New York, Maryland and Washington, D.C.

The Brooklyn Brewery Corp., Brooklyn, N.Y., has appointed River North Sales & Service to distribute Brooklyn beers in Chicago. River North initially will sell Brooklyn Lager, Brooklyn Brown Ale and Brooklyn East India Pale Ale in 12-ounce bottles and 5- and 15.5-gallon kegs. “Chicago is a great market for craft beer,” said Steve Hindy, co-founder of Brooklyn Brewery. “It also is one of my favorite cities and I am proud to be selling beer there.”