At Press Time

Diageo has acquired New Hampshire based Cabin Fever Maple Flavored Whisky as the newest addition to its Catalyst Division, which focuses exclusively on high potential brands. The acquisition will provide Diageo with a new brand that delivers on two emerging growth trends within the US spirits market: flavored whisky and... Read More

Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky and US Sailing have introduced the inaugural Old Pulteney Maritime Heroes Award.  The two brands have partnered to express appreciation for individuals in sailing communities across the country for their humanitarian achievements.  Friends and families are encouraged to nominate an unsung hero for charitable... Read More

Nominations are now being accepted for Eagle Rare Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey’s 2O13 Rare Life Award at eaglerarelife.com. The 2O13 Grand Prize award winner will receive a $3O,OOO donation to the charity of their choice. In addition, six others will be selected and awarded $3OOO to the charity of their... Read More

Could Happy Hours be making a comeback in Massachusetts?  With casinos poised to arrive in the state, it’s a possibility.  The Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) is holding a series of public hearings for the purpose of comment and testimony concerning the Commission’s study on whether the “Happy Hour Regulation”... Read More

Beam Inc. is definitely in acquisition mode. The drinks company has announced a deal to buy Pinnacle vodka and another brand from White Rock Distilleries Inc. for around $6OO million. Beam, which was spun off from Fortune Brands Inc. last year, is paying all cash to acquire Pinnacle and rum... Read More

It’s time to lock up the hand sanitizer. Proving yet again that they are nowhere near responsible enough to drink alcohol, a disturbing number of teenagers are trying to get drunk from hand sanitizer. Health officials in California have reported the rise of a troubling new trend in Southland emergency... Read More

The times they are a changin’. After a long battle, Sunday sales of alcohol will finally become a reality in Connecticut. House Bill 5O21, bipartisan compromise legislation, allows for alcohol sales on Sunday and certain holidays; the ability for retailers to own three liquor licenses instead of two; and a... Read More

It just goes to show that collectors will drop nearly any sum of money for bottles of rare wine and spirits. A bottle of Glenfiddich Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve Single Malt Whisky soldatauction on March 15 for a record-breaking $94,OOO in celebration of the distillery’s 125th anniversary. The bottle, one... Read More

Westminster-based Wachusett Brewing Company, the second largest packaging brewer in Massachusetts, is undergoing a significant expansion that includes the acquisition of a distribution warehouse. The company is also in the process of forming a division that will focus on contract canning and will likely add bulk beer hauling services in... Read More

As hard as Connecticut retailers have fought it, Sunday sales of alcohol appear to be more and more a looming reality. Although the state’s Governor Dannel P. Malloy’s proposal to change state alcohol sales laws was recently scaled back by the General Law Committee, Sunday sales stayed in the bill.... Read More