WINE & HOOPS
Move over beer, the NBA is getting into the wine game. The National Basketball Association and Kendall-Jackson Winery have announced a multiyear partnership, making Kendall-Jackson the Official Wine of the NBA and USA Basketball and La Crema the Official Wine of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Kendall-Jackson and La... Read More
SAZERAC TO ACQUIRE BUZZBALLZ BRAND
Drinks company Sazerac has announced plans to acquire Southern Champion’s ready-to-drink portfolio, including BuzzBallz, the spherical wine-, spirit- and malt-based cocktail brand. Along with BuzzBallz, Sazerac will acquire other Southern Champion brands, including Biggies, Uptown Cocktails, Sip Sip Hooray, and Texas Craft, among others. BuzzBallz was started in 2009 when... Read More
INDUSTRY-WIDE ANTI-HARASSMENT INITIATIVE LAUNCHES
Workplace sexual harassment and violence against females have long been major issues within the beverage alcohol industry (as with many other industries). A brand new initiative is hoping to provide support and prevention tools along with training and a confidential hotline. Women of the Vine & Spirits (WOTVS), the only... Read More
AMERICAN WHISKEY EXPORTS HIT BIG NUMBERS
American whiskey is certainly having its moment with consumers in the EU and beyond. According to Discus, the category accounted for 63% of US spirits exports in 2023. That share was equivalent to $1.4 billion, an increase of 9% compared with the year before. American whiskey as a category includes... Read More
PERFECTION IN A BEER GLASS
Does the perfect beer glass exist? One Japanese designer believes so and says it has created the ultimate vessel to maximize “refreshment, aroma and richness” when drinking. The glass, which design studio Nendo made for Japan’s oldest beer brand Sapporo, has an asymmetrical silhouette that affects how the beverage interacts... Read More
CRAFT BREWERS ASSOCIATION RELEASES 2023 ANNUAL REPORT
The Brewers Association (BA) has published its 2023 Annual Report summarizing its work in the past year to support the craft brewing community. The report provides an overview of the association’s resources, programs, finances, and accomplishments. Topics include Government Affairs; Industry Snapshot; Education; Brewers Publications; Social Impact; Promotion; Export Development; and... Read More
BEER HALL TO OPEN IN MEDFORD
Massachusetts beer lovers, get ready to raise your pints, mugs and steins. The Great American Beer Hall, a huge new craft beer venue will be opening in Medford later this year. Owned primarily by local brothers Brian and Mark Zarthar, the new venue is being built in place of an... Read More
OBITUARY – JOHN G. FRANZIA, 84
John Franzia, the co-founder of one of the largest wine companies in the world, died peacefully in his Modesto home on March 25. His legacy focused on high-quality wines at an affordable rate for buyers. In 1973, John co-founded Bronco Wine Co. with his cousins, Fred T. and Joseph S. Franzia,... Read More
D’USSÉ COGNAC
AGATHE BOINOT has been appointed cellar master of D’Ussé Cognac which is co-owned by Bacardi and Jay-Z. She will take over for Michel Casavecchia’s following his recent retirement. The appointment makes her the youngest woman to hold the cellar master position of the major houses in Cognac. Boinot is the... Read More
BEAM SUNTORY
The drinks company has appointed JOHN ALVARADO as U.S. Chief Brands Officer. In a career spanning more than 25 years, Alvarado has held senior brand marketing roles at Keurig, Dr. Pepper and Constellation Brands where he contributed to 44 consecutive quarters of growth and developed a portfolio of brands based... Read More