SAMUEL ADAMS REBEL IPA
SAMUEL ADAMS REBEL IPA – This West Coast-style IPA is brewed with five types of American hops from the Pacific Northwest. Big citrus and grapefruit aromas along with piney and resinous notes come through in both the flavor and aroma. The yeast imparts a slight fruity flavor. The Rebel IPA... Read More
NARRAGANSETT AUTOCRAT COFFEE MILK STOUT
NARRAGANSETT AUTOCRAT COFFEE MILK STOUT – This custom blend brew is a limited edition collaboration between Narragansett and Autocrat Coffee. The full-bodied milk stout has notes of roasted barley, chocolate malt and rich crystal malt. The exacting touch of hops provides bitterness to balance the sweet notes of the malts... Read More
CRAFT BREWERS GUILD + BLUEPRINT BRANDS
CRAFT BREWERS GUILD of Boston has added a craft spirits division, Blueprint Brands, which will feature a portfolio of craft distilleries. The portfolio currently includes brands from Lexington Brewing and Distilling of Lexington, Kentucky; Pür Spirits of Germany; Sound Spirits of Seattle, Washington; New England Distilling of Portland, Maine, 1512... Read More
SPIRITS CONTINUE TO GROW
IT WASN’T A BANNER third quarter for any of the beverage alcohol categories. According to industry data analyst group GuestMetrics, all three alcohol categories had their weakest volume performance thus far in the year in the third quarter. Spirits volumes were -2.4% in the first quarter, improved to -1.4% in... Read More
OBITUARY – Harry J. Shapira 66
THE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT of Heaven Hill Distilleries, who helped oversee the country’s largest, family-owned and operated producer and marketer of distilled, died on October 13. As one of Heaven Hill’s senior executives, Mr. Shapira helped create and design the company’s two new visitor centers: the Bourbon Heritage Center in... Read More
OBITUARY – Charlie Trotter 54
FAMED CHICAGO restaurateur Charlie Trotter passed away in early November. In 1987, Trotter opened his eponymous restaurant, dedicated to American fine dining with European-quality service and wine. He helped introduce the chef tasting menu to the US. The author of 14 cookbooks and a noted philanthropist, Mr. Trotter started out... Read More
VAN GOGH IMPORTS
Joy Suchlicki Vicente has been appointed Director of Marketing. In this newly created role, Vicente will be responsible for branding, strategic planning, creative direction, programming, and the development of materials for the Van Gogh Imports portfolio. A 21-year industry veteran, she most recently ran her own consulting company where she... Read More
PATRÓN SPIRITS
Lee Applbaum has joined the company as Chief Marketing Officer. He will replace Patrón’s current CMO Matt Carroll who is retiring at the end of the year. Applbaum will direct global marketing communications for the group’s portfolio. He joins Patrón having held CMO positions at multinational organizations, including Target Australia... Read More
PERFECTION FOR PARKER
THE 2O1O VINTAGE has certainly been pleasing Robert Parker’s palate lately. Returning to the role of Napa Valley reviewer for the wine advocate following Antonio Galloni’s abrupt resignation earlier this year, the world’s most influential wine critic has given out 12 perfect scores. Listed in the latest edition, the new... Read More
FABULOUS FAKES
LOVING THAT AMAZING Bordeaux or Burgundy you just picked up at auction? Be careful, it just may be a cheap knockoff. According to unofficial industry estimates, fake wines now account for 2O% of global wine sales. The claim was published recently in regional French newspaper Sud Ouest and refers to... Read More