Grupo Modelo, Crown Imports acquisitions drive significant sales increase
April 10, 2014
Constellation Brands Inc., Victor, N.Y., reported net sales for the 2014 fiscal year were more than $4.8 billion, a 74 percent increase, following its acquisition of the Grupo Modelo U.S. beer business.
Traveling beer festival aims to be the largest craft beer celebration in history
April 9, 2014
Chico, Calif.-based Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. has invited every one of the more than 2,700 craft breweries across the country to participate in a multi-weekend traveling beer festival this summer. Beer Camp Across America is a celebration for the entire craft beer community, aiming to bring together brewers and their fans, the company says.
Spirits company plans to announce interim CEO shortly
April 8, 2014
The board of directors of Hamilton, Bermuda-based Bacardi Ltd. announced the departure of President and Chief Executive Officer Ed Shirley. Shirley expressed his plans to retire after his 36-year career, the company says.
Oxnard, Calif.-based KeVita Inc.’s same-named sparkling probiotic drinks brand announced its official sponsorship of the 2014 Buzz Bus Tour. Stopping in cities both big and small, the Buzz Bus Tour visits festivals, wellness centers, schools, farmers markets, parks and other locations to offer people access to healthy products, fitness classes and wellness education.
New beverages leverage success of iced coffees on- and off-premise
April 8, 2014
In response to the growth of iced coffee at foodservice establishments and at retail, Torrance, Calif.-based Farmer Bros. Co. introduced a new line of consumer-tested, ready-to-serve iced coffees that eliminates any prep work for operators.
Beverage chain to open 23 new stores across the metro area
April 7, 2014
Emeryville, Calif.-based coffee and tea chain Peet’s Coffee & Tea announced its first major retail launch in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. The company opened its flagship Washington, D.C., location on April 7 and will open 22 more stores in a phased rollout across the market this year. The expansion will create approximately 350 local jobs and raise the chain’s total store count to 300 stores, the company says. Following the expansion, Washington, D.C., will be the company’s second-largest retail market, second to California, and its biggest East Coast retail footprint, it says.
Liquid concentrates by Sparkling Drink Systems International, Pat's Backcountry Beverages to hit shelves Q3 2014
April 7, 2014
Sparkling Drink Systems International (SDS), a New York-based at-home carbonation products company, has partnered with Pat's Backcountry Beverages Inc. (Pat’s BCB), Golden, Colo., to produce a range of beer concentrates exclusively for SDS.
Eugene, Ore., facility includes sustainable equipment, hop filter
April 4, 2014
After three years of planning, Ninkasi Brewing Co. opened its expanded Eugene, Ore., brewery and brewed its first batch of beer in the facility in late March. The brewery worked with ecoReal Solutions, Portland, Ore., to add numerous sustainability features to the brewery, setting it on the path to reach Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, the company says.
Dale Jr. Sour is available nationwide at 7-Eleven stores for a limited time
April 3, 2014
Amp Energy, a brand of Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo Inc., teamed up with professional racecar driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. to develop a new sour-grape-flavored energy drink called Dale Jr. Sour.