The Bardstown Bourbon Co. (BBCo), Bardstown, Ky., announced that Grain & Barrel Spirits, the maker of pre-prohibition brand Chicken Cock Whiskey, has joined BBCo’s Collaborative Distilling Program. Grain & Barrel will work with BBCo to produce custom bourbon and whiskey for the Chicken Cock brand, which dates back to 1856. BBCo and Grain & Barrel concluded their first distillation of 616 barrels at the end of August.

Founded in 2013 by local entrepreneurs Pete and Vienna Barger, Southern Distilling Co., Statesville, N.C., offers a broad range of contract distilling services for domestic and foreign brand owners, distilleries and retailers including custom distilling, warehousing, and bottling/packaging services.

Cott Corp., Tampa, Fla., announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its traditional beverage manufacturing business — Cott Beverages — to Refresco, the Netherlands, for $1.25 billion. The transaction includes Cott's North America, United Kingdom and Mexico businesses and excludes the RCI International division and its associated concentrate facility as well as the Aimia Foods division.

When it comes to their health, U.S. consumers have their share of concerns. According to Bellevue, Wash.-based The Hartman Group’s “Health and Wellness 2015” report, on average consumers are actively treating 3.4 health conditions and proactively preventing 6.2 health conditions.

With Rockville, Md.-based Packaged Facts estimating the dairy and dairy alternative beverage category will grow from a $23.8 billion industry in 2014 to a $31.5 billion industry by 2019 in its April report titled “Dairy and Dairy Alternative Beverage Trends in the U.S.,” more beverage-makers will be in search of contract manufacturers to support their beverage-making needs.