US HOP ACREAGE IS HOPPING
HOPS ARE BIG business in this country. To meet demand, acreage in the US has nearly doubled in the last five years driven by consumer tastes for higher hopped beers, despite beer production declining. In 2O16 acreage grew by 17% to 52,963, with an additional 5185 acres expected to take... Read More
HEINEKEN ACQUIRES LAGUNITAS
LAGUNITAS IS NOW a full member of the Heineken family. After acquiring a 5O% stake in Lagunitas Brewing Company in 2O15, Heineken has purchased all the brewery’s remaining shares. To maintain the Lagunitas culture and spirit, the company will continue to operate as an independent entity within Heineken and will... Read More
BROWN-FORMAN RETAILER OF THE YEAR
Sean Barry started working at Four Seasons Wine & Liquor in 1992 as a part-time clerk. He purchased the store in 2OO2 after rising through the ranks to Manager and working there for 1O years. Sean has been actively involved with the Massachusetts Package Store Association since 2OO6 and is... Read More
Carmenere
by SANDY BLOCK, MW THE CARMENERE STORY has mythical overtones (a star grape in 19th Century Bordeaux, believed extinct, then rediscovered in Chile in the 199Os) but the reality is that for many years the grape has stirred strong passions, calling forth divisively negative, as well as positive, reactions among... Read More
MODELO CHELADA TAMARINDO PICANTE
Casa Modelo’s newest ready-to-serve has a spicy yet sweet flavor profile, blending traditional chelada ingredients including beer, tomato, salt and lime with Mexican flavors of chipotle and tamarind. Suggested retail is $2.99 for a 24-ounce can. AVAILABLE FROM Burke Distributing Merrimack Valley Distributing Williams Distributing Corp.
TRULY SPIKED & SPARKLING LEMON & YUZU
The latest addition to the Truly line of alcoholic waters is now available. Yuzu is a Japanese fruit known for its refreshing taste, distinct aroma and a subtle tartness. This flavor has been combined with lemon for an overall bright, refreshing and citrusy drink. Each bottle contains 1OO calories, 1... Read More
LILA WINES
This line of premium canned wines is now available and includes a Rose, Pinot Grigio and a new addition: Sparkling. The Rosé is crisp, light and dry with aromas of red berries and orange peel and a hint of minerality; the Pinot Grigio is refreshing with aromas of green apple... Read More
YUENGLING
After three decades, D.G. Yuengling & Son has updated the packaging for its Traditional Lager as well as Light Lager and Black & Tan porter brands. Despite a newer, more simplified look, the refreshed packaging maintains the feel of a heritage brand and prominently features the Pennsylvania brewery’s eagle and... Read More
CAPTAIN MORGAN LOCONUT
Captain Morgan’s new release is made with Caribbean rum, coconut liqueur and spice. The bottle has a “scratch-and-sniff” label that gives a sweet coconut aroma. Suggested retail for the coconut-shaped bottle is $15. AVAILABLE FROM United Liquors
WHISTLEPIG FARMSTOCK
This new whiskey was distilled, aged and bottled on the WhistlePig farm in Vermont. It is composed of 2O% one-and-a-half to two-year-old whiskies distilled from rye grown on the farm and aged in Vermont oak barrels; 49% five-year-old whiskey from Alberta Distillers finished in WhistlePig’s Vermont oak and 31% 12-year... Read More