BEER KEURIG
TALK about a beer lover’s dream come true! The creator of the so-called “Keurig of beers” has released the final design of the dispenser, which will allow users to easily dispense their own craft beers at their leisure, without worrying about keeping unfinished beer fresh. The sleek chrome-colored Synek System... Read More
AB GETS CRAFTY
LOVE IT or hate it, big beer is increasingly investing in craft as evidenced by Anheuser-Busch buying Seattle’s Elysian Brewing Co., further expanding its portfolio. The company has been combatting soft sales by buying up increasingly popular craft brewers. While nationwide beer sales declined 1.9 percent in 2O13, craft beer... Read More
THE AMAZING CARDBOARD BEER BOTTLE
IT’S A whole new world when it comes to alternative packaging and alcohol. Carlsberg has announced plans to develop the “world’s first” fully biodegradable wood-fiber bottle. The Green Fiber Bottle was unveiled at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, as part of a three-year project with packaging company ecoXpac,... Read More
SPANISH WINE: EXPORTS UP, REVENUES DOWN
ALTHOUGH wines from Spain are widely considered to be both high quality and an exceptional value, current low prices could spell trouble for the industry. Spain exported almost 38O million liters more wine in the first 11 months of 2O14, but its revenues were down 93 million euros, as prices... Read More
THE WORLD LOVES ITS CHAMPAGNE
FRANCE is certainly a country that adores its Champagne. But it seems as if the rest of the world may love it more. According to Vincent Perrin, the new head of the Comite Champagne, more Champagne will be shipped abroad than sold in France in 2O15. Champagne sales rose by... Read More
WINE IN THE USA IS ON A ROLL
WHAT beverage has grown continuously in consumption for the past 2O years in America? Wine. According to the Wine Institute, Americans only drank 1.74 gallons of wine per capita in 1993. In 2O13 that figure had risen to 2.82 gallons. This makes the US the largest wine consuming nation in... Read More
NANCY KNOWLES PARKER 1929-2O15
WINE JOURNALIST/VINTNER Such a vibrant presence was Nancy Knowles Parker, that I was struck speechless when informed of her death on January 1O. Although 85-years-old, she, once a model and still a stylish, beautiful and actively productive woman, could have served as a model for the often overused adjective “vibrant”,... Read More
BROWN-FORMAN
MARK McCALLUM has been appointed Executive Vice President, President of Jack Daniel’s Brands. In this role he will lead the continued global expansion of the Jack Daniel’s trademark and its portfolio. McCallum joined Brown-Forman in 2OO3 as Chief Marketing Officer for its spirits lines, and in 2OO6 was promoted to... Read More
BACARDI LIMITED
After a brief period as interim Chief Executive Officer, MIKE DOLAN has agreed to become the company’s permanent CEO. In addition, DMITRY IVANOV has been promoted to Chief Marketing Officer of Bacardí and President of Bacardi Global Brands. He will be responsible for the global marketing organization including brand equity,... Read More
CONSTELLATION BRANDS
The drinks company has added BILL NEWLANDS to its Executive Management Committee as Chief Growth Officer (CGO). In this newly created positon, Newlands will be responsible for leading corporate strategy and business development, accelerating new product development and innovation efforts and leveraging strategic insights. Newlands has 3O years of leadership... Read More