Beer Pouring Locations Bounces Back to Above 90%

Posted on January 31, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

As 2022 got underway, 89% of beer-pouring locations were open and pouring beer the weekend of Jan. 6-9, according to BeerBoard. But that didn’t long, BeerBoard reports, noting that it has returned to 90% or better.

The number of taps pouring also fell in the last period, but climbed back to 19 per location nationally, up 27% from the 15 average number of taps pouring in each location.  Nine of the 10 states tracked added at least one handle, paced by Tennessee (19) which added three and Michigan (24) which added two. Minnesota remained at 21 handles per location.

But the percentage of taps pouring continued its decline, dropping to 75% of the average number of taps per location.  Only Nevada of the 10 states surveyed showed a gain the percentage of taps pouring, rise 1.3%.

Volume, however, shot back up after two consecutive periods of decline, climbing14.7% from Jan 27-30.  Each of the 10 states tracked were up double-digits on the weekend, led by Illinois (+24.2%), Georgia (+23.7) and Florida (+21.2%).

Like Volume, Rate of Sale bounced back to see a +6.7% return on the weekend. Prior to  Jan 27-30, it had declined in three of the four previous reports. Florida (+14.7%), New York (+14.7%) and Georgia (+14.6%) were the leaders among all 10 states tracked seeing growth on the weekend.

 

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NBWA Beer Purchaser’s Index Back to Pre-Pandemic Readings

Posted on January 31, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

For the first time since April 2020, the National Beer Wholesalers Association Beer Purchasers’ Index for January came in below 50.  The reading of 46, combined with an at-risk inventory reading of 58 is reminiscent of when the industry frequently experienced excess inventory, NBWA said.

The components that make up the aggregate BPI this January are also more like pre-pandemic readings, NBWA said. Most importantly, the dramatic drop in the FMB/seltzer BPI continues, falling to 39 in January 2022 from 90 in January 2021. Meanwhile, crafts, premium lights, regular premium and below premium segments all fell below 50 for the month.  Only the import segment posted a solid expansionary index this January.

The “at-risk” inventory measures rose above 50 for the first time since April of 2020 signalling that supply constraints in the beer industry are beginning to alleviate. It is important to take note of the upward trend in “at-risk” inventories as supply-side challenges start to resolve and inventories continue to build, NBWA said.

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Woodford Reserve’s Double Double Oaked Offered in Sweeps

Posted on January 31, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

“Double Double Oaked has such a cult following, which makes it very difficult for consumers to get their hands,” Master Distiller Chris Morris said. “This sweepstakes will allow more of our fans to have the chance to try this special release.”  It’s the first time Woodford Reserve has offered a sweeps for one of its most sought-after bourbons. 

Consumers who win the sweepstakes will have the ability to buy a bottle of Double Double Oaked from Woodford Reserve’s distillery in Versailles, Kentucky. Consumers may enter the sweepstakes now through Feb. 8, and winners will be chosen at random and notified by Feb. 10. Winners will be to buy their bottle in person from the distillery before April 10.

Customers may purchase up to two 375ml bottles at the Woodford Reserve Distillery starting 10 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 1.  

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2 in 3 U.S. Companies Plan to Expand Workforce in 1st Half

Posted on January 31, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

Some 65% of U.S. senior managers surveyed by Robert Half plan to add new permanent positions.  That’s up 14 points from six months ago.  Another 33% said they expect to fill vacated positions.

Among the 24 U.S. cities in the survey, those with the highest percentages of employers planning to add permanent positions are Charlotte (75%), San Francisco (74%) and Detroit (72%). In addition, managers in administrative and customer support (72%) and marketing (69%) departments have the greatest hiring needs.

Contract hiring is also heating up: Nearly three-quarters of senior managers (71%) expect to bring in more contract professionals in 2022. Those in marketing and technology departments (78% each) are most likely to increase the number of contract workers they use.

Among the tactics being used to attract candidates:  higher salaries (55%), remote options, evaluating candidates outside their office’s geography (50%), signing bonuses (44%), more paid time off (41%) and looser education, skills or experience requirements (31%).

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G4 Tequila Releases Limited Blend

Posted on January 30, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

G4 Tequila is releasing a limited batch blend, G4 Blanco with Wood Fermentation, in key markets this week.

Only 1,100 cases of G4 Blanco with Wood Fermentation exist. They will be shipped on Monday, January 24, to on and off-premise accounts in California, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Florida, Texas, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Georgia, Michigan, Washington, Indiana, and Oklahoma. The bottles should be on store shelves by the end of the week.

The G4 Blanco with Wood Fermentation bottle looks like a traditional G4 Blanco bottle. Consumers must look at the lot number to identify this batch. The lot number for G4 Blanco with Wood Fermentation is LEXP0012B.

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RNDC Seattle Drivers, Employed by Penske, Vote to Join Teamsters

Posted on January 30, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

More than 75% of the nearly 100 beverage delivery and warehouse workers employed by Penske Logistics who warehouse and deliver products for Republic National Distributing Co. have voted to join Teamsters Local 174.

The Penske workers join fellow beverage workers from Southern Glazers Wine and Spirits, Columbia Distributing, Anheuser Busch, PepsiCo, Swire Coca-Cola, and Shasta as members of Teamsters Local 174.

The organizing campaign for these workers was challenging, given the fact they work for a subcontractor, not directly for RNDC. Early in the campaign, several workers supporting the union organizing drive were fired by Penske in a clear case of retaliation for Union activity. Teamsters Local 174 filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board on behalf of the workers, and Penske was found guilty of violating federal labor law. The workers received back wages due to Penske’s illegal actions. “This blatant violation of the law helped energize the workers, culminating in a victory giving the workers the right to be represented by Local 174,” the union said. The results were certified Thursday.

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