Night Before Thanksgiving Saw 69.2% Jump in On-Premise Drink Sales

Posted on December 1, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

That’ according to BeerBoard, which reports on-premise drink sales were up 79.7% compared to 2020 Thanksgiving Eve and even up 8.4% compared to 2019 Thanksgiving Eve. These bumps were even more significant in major cities such as Chicago, which saw a 143.6% increase over 2020, and New York, which saw a 97.7% increase over 2020. BeerBoard also analyzed its hometown of Syracuse, which saw an increase of 107.8% compared to 2020.

On the night before Thanksgiving, which is widely celebrated with hometown friends and long-lost high school classmates, Light Lager continued to hold a firm grip on beer drinkers across the nation as the first-choice beer, followed by Lagers, IPAs, Belgian and White Ales, and Stouts and Porters. The top brands poured on Thanksgiving Eve were Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, Miller Lite, Coors Light, Modelo Especial, Dos Equis, Blue Moon, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Stella Artois and Yuengling, respectively.

“Thanksgiving Eve might be the most underrated holiday of the year, yet it’s one the most popular nights to grab a beer and catch up with those you haven’t seen in a while,” said BeerBoard Founder and CEO Mark Young. “So, as a technology and insights leader for the liquor, beer and wine sectors, we leverage our revolutionary technology to ensure the industry is prepared for nights like these. By creating reports on beer consumption across major – or unrecognized – holidays, sporting events and pop-culture events in America, we help retailers, brewers and distributors make informed, data-driven decisions based on significant market trends.”

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Spirits Top-Seller on Drizly Ahead of Thanksgiving

Posted on December 1, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Liquor overtook wine as the top-selling bev/al  category in 2021 in the days leading up to Thanksgiving.  Liquor held 45% of share on Drizly from November 22 – 24, 2021, followed by wine with 43% and beer with 12%.

Tequila continued its popularity during the holiday time frame, following its trend as one of the fastest-growing spirit categories on Drizly over the past few years. Reposado tequila gained share in 2021 when compared to the same time frame of the days leading up to Thanksgiving in 2020, scaling from the No 14 spot in 2020 to No 10 in 2021. Anejo tequila also increased in share, moving to the No 12 top-selling subcategory in 2021, which is up 10 spots from 2020.

While ready-to-drink increased from No 37 in 2020 to No 24 in 2021 in the days leading up to Thanksgiving, hard seltzer decreased slightly in share when comparing year-over-year, from the No 8 top-selling subcategory to No 9 in 2021.

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Bordeaux Producer Sentenced to Prison for Wine Fraud

Posted on December 1, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

French authorities found Vincent Lataste’s company, Sequoia, “attempted deception on substantial quantities of wine,” and other offenses.  He was sentenced to a year in prison and his company, renamed Awesome was fined €100,000, €50,000 of which was suspended, while he himself was fined €30,000 with €20,000 suspended.

Le Monde newspaper said the case started when investigators from the French equivalent of TTB did a “routine check” and found levels of sulphur dioxide (SO2)  90 micrograms per liter over the 150 milligram per liter cap. Sulphur dioxide can also be used to change the flavor of wines by reducing levels of acetaldehyde, which gives sherry its distinctive smell, and also stops old wines from turning brown.

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FMB/Seltzer Decline Continues

Posted on December 1, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

The FMB/seltzer Beer Purchasers Index (BPI) reading continued falling to an unprecedented 31 from 87 in November 2020. Meanwhile, imports and premium lights are the only segments in solid expansion territory this month, according to the National Beer Wholesalers Association‘s Beer Purchasers Index. The “at-risk” inventory measures are still below 50 for all the segments except FMB/seltzer, signaling continued supply constraints in the system.

NBWA said it expected to report an upward trend in the monthly readings as supply-side challenges resolve over time. But it added it expects ndustry numbers will continue to behave erratically over the next few months as shipments, depletions and sales to consumer measures remain out of sync.

Looking across the segments for November:

  • The index for imports continued into expansion territory for a reading of 68 in November 2021, about the same reading as November 2020.
  • The craft index fell below 50 for a third month, with a reading of 47 compared to a reading of 55 in November 2020.
  • The premium lights index posted a reading of 54, indicating continued expansion, yet the number is still below the November 2020 reading of 70.
  • The regular domestic beer segment index is at 38, which is now significantly below the November 2020 reading of 58, yet is still in expansion territory.
  • The below premium segment at 29, took another hit year-over-year from the November 2020 reading of 49.
  • The FMB/seltzer took another big hit, falling over 50 points to 31 in November 2021 from 87 in November 2020.
  • Finally, the cider segment remains well below 50 with a reading of 32 in November 2021 compared to 34 in November 2020.

Index readings over 50 signal expansion, under 50, contraction.

 

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Linganore Winecellars is 1st Winery in Maryland to Have Complete Home-grown Power

Posted on December 1, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Linganore Winecellars has installed a solar system that will completely power the winery. “It’s sort of cool” said Anthony Aellen, VP-Winery Operations. “We’re growing grapes coming from the field and now we’re growing power on the farm as well.”

The Maryland winery recently installed 720 solar panels, each generating 350 watts, for a total of 252 kilowatts. This is enough to power the entire operation, and one of the first wineries to do so in the Mid-Atlantic region. As grapes are grown, harvested, and made into wine, the environment and its future are prioritized.

This is the latest effort, in a long list of green initiatives by the winery including skylight lighting, tracking solar connected to EV chargers, pulp composting, just to name a few. “Seeing the effects of climate change in the last 20 years, we can now grow different varieties that we couldn’t grow 20 years ago. It’s just warmed up that much! To mitigate this, we had focused on eliminating fossil fuel from generation power, to buying wind power. Now we’re growing our own power and that’s really the key,” says Aellen.

“We take our role as stewards very seriously. Back in 2012 we installed EV chargers and now, nine years later, there’s a push to convert vehicle power to electric. You must be able to think a bit further into the future, to think of what your grandchildren and their grandchildren are going to be left with. We can’t just leave this earth and screw it up for everybody else. It’s up to us to make decisions that will bring about positive change. Our aim is to not only to support the land but leave it better than we found it.”

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Woodford Reserve Releases Winter 2021 Master’s Collection

Posted on December 1, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Woodford Reserve, the world’s top-selling super-premium American whiskey, announces the Winter 2021 Master’s Collection release – Woodford Reserve Five-Malt Stouted Mash. It’s a whiskey that exhibits the flavors of a classic beer.

In Kentucky, a fermented grain mash is traditionally called “distiller’s beer.” Distillation converts this “beer” into a spirit that will become a “whiskey” once barreled.

“Five-Malt Stouted Mash is an expression unlike any other we’ve released before,” Master Distiller Chris Morris said. “The rich, roasted malty stout flavors mingle with bright touches of baked fruit, crisp spices, and orange zest for a unique Woodford Reserve experience.”

“Woodford Reserve’s distillery was constructed by Irish stonemasons in 1838,” Assistant Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall said. “That history, plus the fact that we distill in the “Irish” style with triple pot stills, inspired us to mash and distill this year’s Master’s Collection.”

This year’s expression marks the 17th release of the Master’s Collection. This limited-edition Master’s Collection is 90.4 proof and is available in select U.S. and global markets with a suggested retail price of $129.99 for a 750ml bottle.

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