Pretty Things
“Dann’s somewhat famous for failing,” Martha says. “This time, people really wanted him to succeed.” That’s Dann Paquette, the brewer of Pretty Things beers, that Martha’s talking about; she’s Martha Holley-Paquette, Dann’s wife and partner in the Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project. Dann smiles wryly at this spousal evaluation,... Read More
CHÂTEAU TANUNDA from DOWN UNDER
It might be significant that in all of the several photographs I’ve seen of John Geber, he has his arm around someone or something: his wife, his daughter, a wine barrel. The guess would be that he is both affectionate and possessive. More to our point, he is the energetic... Read More
ENDANGERD COCKTAILS: THE MINT JULEP
In modern times we consider the Mint Julep a staple of Derby Day drinking, but once upon a time, like from the turn of the 19th century through the Civil War, the Mint Julep was a staple of everywhere drinking. The beverage hails from the South and has agrarian roots,... Read More
A TREND CAN BE A TRICKY BEAST
Once it gains traction and attention, a trend can just keep steamrolling – snowballing, even – to the point where it’s impossible to ignore. Everyone starts talking about it. Everyone wants to witness it for themselves. But as quickly as it appears, another beast (stick with me on the analogy)... Read More
THE SCOTCH WHISKY DETECTIVES
From vodka to wine, counterfeit alcohol is big business. And while it’s a never-ending struggle to track down fakes, in Scotland they’re on top of their game. Many in the illicit industry try their hand at creating fake Scotches. Not only do fakes cost loss of revenue they also damage... Read More
MS WALKER ACQUIRES VALUE BRANDS
MS Walker, Inc. has acquired 15 brands from Lewiston, Maine-based White Rock Distilleries with a total sales volume of more than 4OO,OOO cases annually. Effective August 1, MS Walker assumed ownership and marketing rights for: Orloff Vodka (the number-one selling vodka in Maine), Zhenka Vodka (a top-selling spirits brands in... Read More
FORTUNE BREAKS ITSELF UP
Fortune Brands Inc. was one step closer to splitting itself up after it recently completed the $1.23 billion sale of its golf business, which includes Titleist golf balls. Fortune sold Acushnet, which also includes the FootJoy brand, to Korean investors led by athletic company Fila Korea Ltd. and Mirae Asset... Read More
WHO GOT INTO THIS YEAR’S MILLIONAIRES CLUB?
It’s the club every spirit’s brand wants to get into. Drinks International and Euromonitor International have published the Millionaires Club 2O11. The report lists spirits brands that sell over one million nine-liter cases. A record 172 brands made it into this year’s edition – figures are based on 2O1O sales... Read More
DODGED A BULLET!
In the end, all’s well that ends well. A week after the ABCC issued an extremely controversial advisory that it would require applicants for a farmer-brewery license to source half of their agricultural materials from in-state sources, the organization reversed its ruling. When first issued, the advisory instantly drew outrage... Read More
BACARDI LIMITED
Robert Furniss-Roe has been appointed President of Bacardi North America, with responsibility for leading all operations in the region for its portfolio of spirits. He succeeds John P. Esposito, who recently announced his planned retirement. Furniss-Roe most recently served as Regional President of Latin America and Vice President of Global... Read More