At Press Time

It’s official. Governor Deval Patrick has signed legislation that will permit supermarkets and other large retailers to gradually acquire more alcoholic beverage licenses.  Under the new law, the cap on licenses per corporation would be lifted from three to five in 2O12, up to seven in 2O16, and to nine... Read More

Who would have ever thought that gummy bears would be the “go to” vehicle for teens to get drunk off? Yes, the sweet, chewy bears so many people enjoy are being soaked in alcohol and kids are gobbling them up, often right in front of adults. Bad enough that it’s... Read More

Like father like son. Renowned spirits industry experts Jeffrey and Jonathon Pogash have launched cocktail books simultaneously. Son Jonathan is the cocktail editor of the latest edition of an American classic, Mr. Boston Official Bartender’s Guide (John Wiley and Sons; co-edited by Rick Rodgers) and father Jeffrey is the author... Read More

It’s been a quarter of a century since Massachusetts last had happy hours at its bars but that could soon be coming to an end. In October, the Massachusetts State Senate passed an amendment to the controversial casino bill that would allow state bars and restaurants to feature happy hour... Read More

For several years the US Postal Service has been facing an ever-growing financial crisis. So dire is it that there has been talk of eliminating Saturday delivery service. US senators think the agency can solve some of its problems by turning to alcohol. In an effort to boost revenue, lawmakers... Read More

With the exception of its wines, New Zealand has little to offer in the way of indigenous beers and spirits. To counter that, food science students of Auckland University of Technology (AUT) have been researching how to create the country’s first national alcohol: cabbage tree tequila. AUT Associate Professor Owen... Read More

They’re not happy about this in Scotland. ArKay, said to be the world’s first alcohol-free “Halal certified” whisky, is going on sale worldwide in time for the holidays. It is said to look and taste just like traditional whisky. With its certification, Arkay opens up the markets in Muslim countries... Read More

The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States has issued new guidelines for responsible alcohol advertising and marketing on all social networking sites and other digital communications platforms. The guidelines apply to all branded digital market-ing communications including websites, blogs, mobile communications, and other applications. DISCUS and the European Forum... Read More

It’s official! In September, Horizon Beverage Company hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of its new headquarters building and operations center at 45 Commerce Way in Norton, marking the beginning of a new chapter for both Horizon and the town. Horizon will bring new life to the vacant General... Read More

W.J. Deutsch & Sons has signed a five-year distribution agreement with Martignetti Companies in several New England states – formalizing and extending existing rights to market and sell Deutsch wines and spirits in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, while granting rights in Rhode Island. Under the agreement, United Liquors has been... Read More