Coors Light Summer Brew infused with blend of natural citrus flavors
May 2, 2014
Coors Light, a brand of Chicago-based MillerCoors, a joint venture between SABMiller plc and Molson Coors Brewing Co., announced its first-ever seasonal extension: Coors Light Summer Brew. The new beer will be available nationwide while supplies last.
Beam Suntory becomes No. 3 premium spirits company in the world
May 2, 2014
Suntory Holdings Ltd., Osaka, Japan, completed its acquisition of all outstanding shares of Beam Inc., Deerfield, Ill., for $83.50 a share on April 30.
New creative challenges consumers to think differently about tequila
May 2, 2014
Deerfield, Ill.-based Beam Suntory Inc.’s Sauza 901 Tequila introduced its first digital media campaign featuring Founder and Co-owner Justin Timberlake, designed to motivate millennial consumers of legal drinking age to rethink the definition of premium tequila. The “Premium Remastered” year-long campaign shows how a pursuit of perfection doesn’t have to be pretentious and exclusive, but, like the brand’s founder, it instead can be approachable and entertaining, the brand explains.
Boston-based The Boston Beer Co. Inc. reported its first quarter 2014 net revenue totaled $183.8 million, an increase of $47.9 million or 35 percent compared with the prior-year period. The company attributes this growth to a 32 percent increase in core shipments. Net income for the first quarter was $8.3 million, an increase of $1.4 million from the first quarter of 2013, also primarily due to shipment increases that were partially offset by increased investments in advertising, promotional and selling expenses, and the impact of a favorable federal income tax settlement.
Sazerac becomes first U.S. spirits producer to use AS/RS technology
May 1, 2014
Sazerac Co., Metairie, La., is scheduled to install automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) and Savanna.Net warehouse management system (WMS) software, provided by York, Pa.-based Westfalia Technologies Inc., in two of its Kentucky distilleries: Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort and The Glenmore Distillery in Owensboro. The Sazerac Co. is the first U.S. spirits producer to use AS/RS technology, according to Westfalia.
National network includes more than 250 distributors
April 30, 2014
Sparkling Ice, a brand of Preston, Wash.-based TalkingRain Beverage Co., announced the completion of its U.S. direct-store-delivery (DSD) distribution network. Comprising more than 250 distributors, this DSD network will bring Sparkling Ice beverages to grocery stores, drug stores, convenience stores, and other retail and non-traditional outlets in all 50 states.
Canton, Mass.-based Dunkin’ Donuts, part of the Dunkin’ Brands Group Inc. family of companies, has partnered with Arizona Beverages USA LLC, Woodbury, N.Y., and Arnold Palmer Enterprises, Cleveland, to introduce the new Frozen Arnold Palmer Coolatta. The half iced tea, half lemonade frozen beverage will be available at participating Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants nationwide throughout the summer.
Charred moonshine available for limited time this spring
April 29, 2014
Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine, Gatlinburg, Tenn., is throwing its hat into the premium spirits market with the debut of its first barrel-aged premium product: Ole Smoky Charred Moonshine. The initial batch will be available in a limited release nationwide this spring, with only 3,500 cases spread out across 49 states and the rest available exclusively at the Ole Smoky distillery, known as “The Holler.”
Honey Lemonade and Mango Peach varieties join portfolio
April 29, 2014
Hydrive Energy Water, a brand of Austin, Texas-based Big Red Inc., launched two new flavors: Honey Lemonade and Mango Peach. Each of the new flavors contains energy-boosting caffeine, enhanced nutritive formulas, and 30 calories in each bottle, the company says.
Starbucks opens Teavana Fine Teas + Tea Bar in Chicago
April 29, 2014
Seattle-based Starbucks Coffee Co. launched Teavana Oprah Chai Tea. The tea beverage was developed by Oprah Winfrey in collaboration with Teavana’s leading tea teaologist and features a blend of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and cloves with loose-leaf black tea and rooibos, the company says. Teavana Oprah Chai Tea is available as a handcrafted latte or loose-leaf tea at participating Starbucks stores across the United States and Canada and as loose-leaf tea and brewed tea at Teavana stores in the same regions.