Hecho Tequila Soda Taps RNDC for Texas, Colorado

Posted on November 9, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Having successfully expanded into an array of markets, including California, Michigan, Tennessee, Missouri, Florida, Nevada and Massachusetts, Hecho Tequila Soda enters  Texas and Colorado through Republic National Distributing Co.

“Currently we are expanding with RNDC, but have only committed to certain states at the moment.,” Michael C. Handman, sales director, told us. “We are strategically partnered with Breakthru Beverage in Florida, Best Brands in Tennessee, Burke Distributing in Massachusetts, Great Lakes Wine & Spirits in MI, and a few boutique houses in other markets.”

Hecho Tequila Soda is made in the heart of Jalisco, Mexico, with premium 100% Blue Agave Tequila and natural lime flavor. The ‘better for you’ product has only 96 calories, is gluten free, and does not contain any sweeteners, or carbohydrates. A unique differentiator for the product is that it can be consumed right out of the can or made into a custom cocktail.

The RTD segment grew 43% in 2020, and is expect to have a compound annual growth rate of 21.8% from 2019 to 2024.

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What We’re Reading —

Posted on November 9, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

109-year-old boat, owned by Anheuser-Busch co-founder, will soon tour the Susquehanna River

The Chief Uncas, a 55-foot mahogany electric boat built in 1912, was the pleasure craft owned by Anheuser-Busch co-founder Adolphus Busch. It was used by his family at their summer estate on Otsego Lake near Cooperstown, N.Y..  The boat was purchased by the Susquehanna National Heritage Area and will be open for tours on the Susquehanna beginning in 2022. (Lancaster Online)

How Anheuser-Busch Is Using Consumer Centricity To Drive Their Innovation Pipeline

Over the last several years, Anheuser-Busch has been undergoing a mindset change as they put the consumer at the center of their innovation efforts. Leading this change is Dafne Hefner, VP-Insights and Strategy for Anheuser-Busch. Dave Knox sat down with Hefner to talk about A-B’s renewed focus on the consumer and how that focus has impacted both their new product pipeline, as well as the innovation strategy of their biggest brands. (Forbes.com)

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Who & What —

Posted on November 9, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Troy Arquiza (Photo credit: Bacardi)

Bacardi named Astrophel “Troy” Arquiza as the new Global Master Blender for Bacardi rum (the “Maestro de Ron”).  He succeeds José “Joe” Gomez, who is retiring after 41-years with Bacardi, under whom he trained.  Arquiza has been with Bacardi for more than two decades.

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BeerBoard Volume Bounces Back, Rising 6.1% in Weekend

Posted on November 8, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

After a period of decline, volume bounced back and almost completely replaced what was lost two weekends back, BeerBoard reports. For the weekend of Nov.4-7, Volume was up 6.1% (after dropping 6.6% the weekend of Oct 21-24). Looking back on the previous five periods, Volume has been -6.6%, +4.7%, +13.7%, +10.8% and +3.8%. Eight of the 10 states tracked saw growth, paced by Illinois (+9.5%), Florida (+7.4%) and South Carolina (+7.1%).

Percentage Taps Pouring jumped up to 75% on the weekend. Seven of the 10 states tracked saw a climb on the weekend, led by Illinois, Nevada and Tennessee, which each climbed 3%.

Like Volume, Rate of Sale rebounded and took back everything it lost from the period prior (and a little more). For the weekend, ROS was up 4.9%, growing for the fifth period out of the last six. Eight of the 10 states tracked saw a positive return on the weekend, led notably by South Carolina (+8.4%) and Georgia (+7.7%)

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Who & What —

Posted on November 8, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Daou Family Estates announced four new appointments to key leadership positions on the national sales team: 

  • Aaron Amsler, Vice President, Central Region, brings 27 years of experience to DAOU Family Estates, most recently as Senior Director for Rodney Strong Vineyards.
  • Michelle Smith, Vice President, Retail Chains, a seasoned industry sales leader, joined DAOU in 2016 and has been promoted from Central Division Manager.
  • Walter Sorensen, Vice President, Western Region, joined DAOU Family Estates in 2020 and was previously Division Manager in California and Hawaii.
  • Tony Suarez, Vice President, Eastern Region, has been promoted from his previous position as Director of Global Accounts for DAOU.
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Baker’s Bourbon Offers Limited Selection of Older Bourbon

Posted on November 8, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Baker’s Bourbon is offering an exclusive selection of bottles from some of its rarest barrels through its newly launched program, Baker’s Exclusive Selection. This is a limited-time offering of extra aged single barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey collected from some of Baker Beam’s favorite warehouses on the James B. Beam Distilling Co. campus in Clermont, KY.

The bottles from these barrels have been aged for 11 years and 8 months, meaning the extra time in the barrel emphasizes the distinct notes and nuances from single barrel to single barrel even more prominently than the core Baker’s Bourbon offer.

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