Beer Imports Fall 1.4% in September

Beer imports fell 1.4% in September compared to September 2020, but were up 12.7% year-to-date. Compared to September 2019, this month’s imports are up by 14.6%.

Despite overall declines for imports for September compared to a year ago, there were some pockets of strong growth, Beer Institute said, most notably Mexican imports, with grew by 7.5% and contributed to 79% of total import growth for the month. Imports from the Netherlands and Belgium contributed to some of the largest declines in imported volume, down 31.5% and 62.4% respectively.

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Chelly Sponsors Arizona’s Dusk Festival

Chelly, a new-age infused lemoncello for young adults, is the official limoncello of DUSK Festival.

Chelly is the official sponsor of the festival but is showcasing as the official sponsor of the “Local Discovery” stage that will feature local artists and DJ’s. “We are ecstatic that we get to partner with a festival that puts an important focus on homegrown and local talent. Being that we are a local company, we take pride in that we are Arizonans and represent the local community, as does DUSK!”, said CEO and Co-Founder Nick Guerrieri.

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George Dickel, Leopold Bros Distillery Collaborate on Rye Whisky Blend

Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. (Diageo) and Leopold Bros Distillery have collaborated to introduce George Dickel x Leopold Bros Collaboration Blend, a union of Leopold Bros’ celebrated Three Chamber Rye and  Dickel’s never-before-released traditional column still rye.

“When you look back at official records for Three Chamber Rye Whiskies, they weren’t just sold as is, but they were also blended together with column still whiskies,” said Todd Leopold, Founder at Leopold Bros. “It feels fitting our rare rye release combines this historic style with something new from George Dickel.”

The 100 proof whisky is rolling out in select markets nationwide.  SRP: $109.99.

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Wilson Daniel’s to Enter Washington State Through Galaxy Wine

Wilson Daniels Wholesale said its Oregon-based subsidiary, Galaxy Wine Co., the third largest wine wholesaler in Oregon, is expanding into Washington State, effective Jan. 1, 2922.

The company has secured a 22,000-square-foot warehouse and office space in Tukwila, and will have a workforce of 25 employees, including warehouse and fleet teams, sales management and support staff, finance and operations.

“We were initially drawn to Galaxy in 2018 because they represent the very best in fine wine distribution for the Pacific Northwest,” said Rocco Lombardo, President of Wilson Daniels. “With distributor consolidation continuing to be a trend in our industry, we see opportunity with the expansion of Galaxy considering the impressive market equity built over the past three decades in Oregon. The newly formed Galaxy Wine Co. of Oregon and Washington will be under the recently appointed leadership of Jerred Wolff. Jerred has vast experience in the region, and his expertise will provide the stewardship necessary to enhance our share of the fine wine segment in both states.”

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360 Vodka Partners with Captains for Clean Water

For the second consecutive year 306 Vodka (McCormick Distilling Co.) is partnering with Captains for Clean Water to raise awareness about freshwater issues in the Sunshine State.

The partnership fits right in with 360 Vodka’s positioning as “the first eco-friendly distilled spirit in the world.”  360’s bottles were designed to be reused indefinitely by the consumer.  But if the consumer chooses to return the closure, 360 Vodka will make a donation to Captains for Clean Water.

360 Vodka is also a sponsor of the organization’s Restore Florida gala, which takes place tonight (11/5), at the historic winter estates of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River.

Florida’s Lake Okeechobee, the largest freshwater lake in the state, flows into the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie Rivers.

All three bodies of water are now considered unsafe for drinking or swimming, the result of phosphate-laden farm runoff that polluted the lake and fueled massive blooms of toxic blue-green algae. These blue-green algae blooms, along with the “red tide” algal blooms along Florida’s gulf coast, cause significant public health concerns, threaten the drinking water supply for millions of Floridians, and endanger birds and wildlife.

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MGP Sales Surges 71.5%, Profit Soars 129%

MGP Ingredients reports third quarter sales surged 71.% to $176.6 million and its net profit more than doubled, soaring 129% to $23.7 million, or $1.08 a share.

“The record consolidated quarterly results reflect the progress our team has made toward executing our long-term strategic plan,” said David Colo, president and CEO of MGP Ingredients. “Sales of premium beverage alcohol increased 32.5%, primarily driven by brown goods sales growth of 33.4% from last year, which was due to both higher aged whiskey and new distillate sales. Our Ingredient Solutions business also maintained its positive trajectory, growing sales by 12.5% from the prior year period, as it continues to align with favorable consumer trends.

“Integration of our recently completed acquisition of Luxco remains on track, including achievement of the synergy expectations we shared earlier in the year,” continued Colo.   “As evidenced in our recent results, this additional platform is improving our gross profit and cash flow generation profile, and provides long term growth opportunities for the company.”

In the third quarter of 2021, sales for the Distillery Products segment increased 15.0% to $91.0 million. Gross profit increased to $27.0 million or 29.6% of segment sales, compared to $15.9 million, or 20.1% of segment sales in the third quarter 2020.

“We posted another solid quarter in the Distillery Products segment, primarily driven by strong aged whiskey sales, as a result of the continued robust consumer demand for our premium beverage alcohol offerings,” said Colo. “The macro consumer trend supporting the ongoing growth of the American Whiskey category remains robust, which is confirmed by the demand we’re experiencing from new and existing brown goods customers. White goods sales also experienced significant growth of 30.7% from the prior year period, primarily due to improved prices and volume.”

In the third quarter of 2021, sales for the Branded Spirits segment totaled $61.6 million, primarily due to the Luxco acquisition. Gross profit increased to $23.2 million or 37.7% of segment sales.

“Our Branded Spirits segment results continued to exceed expectations this quarter,” commented Colo. “Ongoing consumer demand for our brands has been a major catalyst for growth, which was reflected in the strong performance by our American Whiskey and Tequila brands, as well as the continued return of on-premise demand. We remain focused on improving our portfolio profitability by optimizing gross profits and margins, as well as the marketing mix across all of our brands.”

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