IRISH SPIRITS ASSOCIATION
Beam Suntory’s AOIFE CLARKE has been appointed Chair of the Irish Spirits Association (ISA), the representative body responsible for promoting the interests of the Irish spirits industry. Clarke, who was previously Vice-Chair, will be the first female Chair of the ISA in its 2O-year history. She has extensive experience working... Read More
DELICATO FAMILY VINEYARDS
The winery has named MARK MERRION as Executive Vice President of Sales. In this position he will oversee Delicato’s sales team, with the responsibility for driving national, international, and private label sales activity, to execute market and distribution strategies and to reach the company’s sales goals. Most recently, Merrion was... Read More
WACHUSETT BREW YARD MOVES INDOORS
WACHUSETT BREWING COMPANY is expanding their on-site experience by bringing their summer Brew Yard concept indoors. The new indoor Brew Yard extends the popularity of the outdoor version that opened last summer to now create a year-round destination for craft beer fans across New England. Visitors can buy pints, grab... Read More
TACO BELL BEER
BEER LOVERS REJOICE. Taco Bell now has its own beer brand so you can sip while you snack on tacos and chalupas. The beer, Beach Bell, is a Mexican-style amber lager created in conjunction with Four Sons Brewing, a craft brewer in Huntington Beach, California. Alas, the beer is currently... Read More
The 2O17 Craft Beer in Review
LAST YEAR SAW more downs than ups for the overall beer industry but there were nonetheless several shining beacons, particularly in the craft segment. Strong brewery growth, increased beer tourism and the launch of the independent craft brewer seal were all part of the year for the category. The Brewers... Read More
Dry Rieslings
by SANDY BLOCK, MW IT’S A NEVER CEASING SOURCE of amazement how marginalized Riesling remains in the market. Restaurants and stores featuring dramatically lesser quality white grapes continue to underrepresent Riesling. Why? The most common answer is that it’s perceived as being too sweet. Each year though, as more Sauvignon... Read More
BUD GOES ELECTRIC
TESLA’S NEW electric trucks are creating quite the buzz as more companies make the move to focusing on energy efficiency. Anheuser-Busch recently put in an order for 4O of the new semis. The brewer says this is part of its strategy to reduce the company’s carbon emissions by 3O% by... Read More
DILLY DILLY . . . BEST CEASE AND DESIST EVER
A TOWN CRIER, a parchment letter and two tickets to the Super Bowl does not normally call to mind a cease & desist but that’s exactly what happened to Minneapolis-based Modist Brewing Company in early December. Their IPA release, Dilly Dilly, was brewed with a “dilly” of oats and English... Read More
BACARDI
The drinks company has hired spirits industry veteran MAURICE DOYLE as Head of Incubation Brands and Global Commercial Development. Doyle’s task will be to drive brand equity and accelerate performance in some of the smaller, high potential premium brands in the Bacardí portfolio including Angel’s Envy, St-Germain, Banks, Santa Teresa,... Read More
FREDERICK WILDMAN & SONS
The importer has named MARC HIRTEN as President and Chief Operating Officer. He is replacing JOHN SELLAR who has served in the role for the past two years. Sellar will now transition to the role of Senior Vice President, Fine Wines and Spirits/Business Development. Prior to this Hirten was General... Read More