Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co., Chippewa Falls, Wis., a subsidiary of MillerCoors’ Tenth and Blake Brewing Co., is celebrating its 145th birthday by taking its craft beer portfolio on a cross-country tour this summer.
Chicago-based MillerCoors brand Coors Light partnered with 100 Black Men of America Inc., a national organization committed to enhancing educational and economic opportunities for African-American men, for the Coors Light Ice Cold Leader program that will recognize exemplary community ambassadors.
Tenth and Blake Beer Co., the craft and import division of Chicago-based MillerCoors, acquired Crispin Cider Co., Minneapolis. The acquisition gives the division a significant presence in the beer industry’s fast-growing hard cider category, according to the company.
Showcased in Admiral Beverage Corporation’s Worland, Wyo., production facility is a banner with a quote from famed news anchor Tom Brokaw: “It’s easy to make a buck. It’s a lot tougher to make a difference.” Nevertheless, the latter is what Admiral Beverage constantly is trying to do. With its headquarters situated in a town of just more than 5,000 people, a sense of community is engrained in the company’s roots — along with a passion for its business.
Despite overall declines in U.S. sales, customers are satisfied with most products in the soft drinks and beer categories, says a report released by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI).
Packaging innovations, such as Bud Light’s “My Bud Light” scratch-on bottle, Miller Lite’s Home Draft and Budweiser’s Fourth of July can, highlight the most effective beer ads among beer drinkers for the year-to-date, according to Ace Metrix, a Los Angeles-based TV advertising effectiveness agency.
SABMiller plc, London, and Molson Coors Brewing Co., Denver, reported that MillerCoors’ second quarter underlying net income, excluding special items, increased 2.6 percent to $400 million compared to the second quarter of 2010.
The beer category showcased a mixed bag of results as the industry saw prices increase and case sales decrease. Consumer preferences seemed to change compared to last year as some domestic below-premium brands saw sales decrease, while imported beers saw high points from a few particular brands.