TRU Colors Releases 1st Beer by Active Gang Members

Posted on October 1, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

The first beer from TRU Colors, the brewery that employs more than 70 active gang members in an effort to stop violence through economic opportunity, is hitting shelves this week across North Carolina.

TRULight, an above-premium light lager, will be available this week in nearly 800 on- and off-premise locations across the state. It’s 4.2% alcohol by volume, TRULight has 95 calories and 2.6 carbs, mirroring the key stats of segment leader Michelob Ultra, TRU Colors says.

The beer has been well received by distributors and retailers, says George Taylor, a tech entrepreneur turned brewery CEO and founder, with some accounts even swapping out displays of Michelob Ultra for TRULight. “They connect with the story and connect with the cause. Then they taste the beer and want to join in,” says Taylor. “If you have a good product and the packaging is good, the price is right, and it tastes good…why would you not want to sell it?”

Molson Coors Beverage Co. has a minority stake in the brewery. Supporting the brewery’s mission is “one of the best examples of putting our money where our mouth is,” says Paul Verdu, president of Tenth & Blake, Molson Coors’ U.S. craft division.

Molson Coors’ involvement has helped establish TRU Colors within its distribution network, giving it a better chance to succeed and make an impact in Wilmington, Verdu says.

“We are doing a lot internally to increase diversity, equity and inclusion, and we have a lot of initiatives. When this came along, we saw an immense opportunity to do something positive for the community — something no one has ever done before,” Verdu says.

 

Posted in beer, Distribution, New Products | Tagged , | Comments Off on TRU Colors Releases 1st Beer by Active Gang Members

Prisoner Wine Launches a Luxury Red Blend

Posted on October 1, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Prisoner Wine Co. launches Saldo, a new luxury Red Blend to build upon its popular Zinfandel bottling. It will be available nationwide in October 2021.

Developed by Prisoner Wine Co.’s Director of Winemaking, Chrissy Wittmann, and Saldo’s newly-appointed lead winemaker, Todd Ricard, who joins Prisoner Wine from Wild Hore Winery, where he was senior winemaker.

Prisoner’s portfolio now includes a Zinfandel and Red Blend – with plans to release a Chenin Blanc in early 2022 – all sourced from California’s North and Central Coast wine growing regions.

Posted in New Products | Tagged , | Comments Off on Prisoner Wine Launches a Luxury Red Blend

Sazerac Releasing 2d Edition of Mister Sam

Posted on October 1, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

It’s a tribute to Sam Bronfman, “Mister Sam,” who immigrated to Canada from Imperial Russia in the late 1800s and proceeded to build largest and most successful distilled spirits company in the world.  

Bronfman’s formula was simple:  Make and blend the finest whiskies possible, maintain the highest standards in the industry, create cutting-edge packaging to appeal to consumers and incessant innovation.

The blend was created by Sazerac’s Master Blender Drew Mayville whose career included 22 years at Seagram’s where he was the fourth and final Master Blender under the Seagram dynasty.

Ties between Sam Bronfman’s Seagram’s Co. and Sazerac Co. span nearly 80 years. Sazerac’s owners were one of the first distributors of Seagram brands in the U.S., forging a long-lasting relationship between the two companies. 

Today, Sazerac owns 15 former Seagram’s brands including the iconic Seagram’s V.O., Seagram’s Five Star, and Seagram’s ’83.  Mister Sam was bottled at Sazerac’s Old Montreal Distillery in Montreal, Quebec, 

The Old Montreal Distillery, located adjacent to the Port and Old Montreal, dates back to 1929. Sazerac purchased the Distillery in 2011 and brought distilling back to Old Montreal for the first time in decades when it installed a still and began producing whisky in early 2018. The Distillery has recently added a visitor center which pays tribute to Mister Sam and a gift shop.  Public Tours will be offered soon.   

Posted in New Products | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Sazerac Releasing 2d Edition of Mister Sam

4 Hand Brewing Launches Line of Aged Spirits

Posted on October 1, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

4 Hands Brewing Co., St. Louis, introduced Withered Oak,  an innovative line of aged spirits.

Withered Oak Straight Bourbon and Rye bottles will be available for purchase only at 4 Hands Brewing Co. and not available in off-premise retailers. Select on-premise establishments will feature Withered Oak in a series of “Whiskey Wednesday” events.

Withered Oak will launch with two exclusive, single barrel aged spirits: a 5-year straight bourbon whiskey and a 5-year rye whiskey. The brand will also feature a 4-year blended rye whiskey, aged in unique finishing barrels to add depth and flavor, to launch this winter.

The liquid is produced by MGP Ingredients at its Lawrenceburg, Ind., distillery.

Posted in New Products | Tagged , , | Comments Off on 4 Hand Brewing Launches Line of Aged Spirits

Tri-Vin Imports to Rep Grace O’Malley, Proclamation in Metro NY

Posted on October 1, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Grace O’Malley and Proclamation, two premium Irish whiskey and spirits brands named Tri-Vin Imports, a New York-based importer and distributor of craft spirits and fine wine, their distributor in the  New York Metro area.

Grace O’Malley first launched in the U.S. at the beginning of the pandemic in the spring of 2020, followed by the U.S. launch of Proclamation in the fall of 2020.

Posted in Distribution | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Tri-Vin Imports to Rep Grace O’Malley, Proclamation in Metro NY

Napa Valley Wine Academy to Train Grocer’s Wine Stewards

Posted on October 1, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Napa Valley Wine Academy (NVWA)has developed a proprietary certification program for professional wine stewards in an unprecedented partnership with Albertsons Companies, a leading food and drug retailer with more than 2,200 stores in 34 states and the District of Columbia.

The Albertsons Companies beverage stewards can take the courses online while on the job, to earn two different levels of certification: Wine 101 and Wine 201. The company is sponsoring the rigorous courses, which are on par in terms of depth and complexity with other recognized wine certification programs.

The courses are asynchronous, and can be accessed at any time. “We developed an online course that incorporates video, text, graphics and an interactive experience that is easy for the wine stewards to complete on their own time,” Oggenfuss said, explaining that the first level will take from 12 to 14 hours, and the second from 18 to 20 hours to complete. “It is forward thinking of Albertsons to invest in their employees, bolster their confidence, and provide a cost-effective way for them to both continue their wine education and further their careers.”

“Our stores have become a destination for customers seeking wine, beer and spirits,” said Albertsons Companies’ Curtis Mann, Master of Wine and Group Vice President Wine, Beer and Spirits, “By educating our beverage stewards with an advanced certification program developed by one of the top wine academies in the country, we are providing the tools that our alcoholic beverage professionals need, to help customers as they navigate hundreds of wine brands while shopping our aisles. Many of our stores have more than 1,000 different wines on the shelf, and it is our job to help our customers find the right bottle for every occasion.”

Posted in Education | Tagged | Comments Off on Napa Valley Wine Academy to Train Grocer’s Wine Stewards