Eastside Distilling Sales Up 4%, Year-Earlier Loss Reversed

Posted on May 13, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Eastside Distilling Inc., Portland, Ore., reports consolidated sales grew 4% in the first quarter to $3.2 million, and net income was $3.7 million, or 33 cents a share, compared to a year-earlier loss of $3.5 million.

The higher sales number was driven by increases in the company’s canning sales and services. Eastside said canning sales had benefited from a shift in consumer preferences to consume alcohol at home rather than on-premise locations.

During the first quarter, the Company delivered 8,913 cases of spirits, excluding Redneck Riviera. Of that total, Portland Potato Vodka (“PPV”) represented over 4,500 cases as the PPV brand continues to accelerate the expansion of its distribution outside of Oregon.  The Company shipped 2,921 and 1,026 cases of Azuñia and Burnside, respectively.  The Azuñia brand continues to be affected by the shut-down of on-premise accounts in the West.

During a conference call with analysts, officials noted the company benefited from restructuring that was intended to lower its cash burn rates and said it has been focused on improving operating income, reducing operating expense and breaking even.

Eastside has cut its sales force payroll to $1.2 million from $3.3 million.  “The key is to hire and deploy the right people,” one executive said.

“Mobile canning is the heart of the company,” the official continued, noting it was as 85% to 90% of capacity.  With a mobile operation, it’s impossible to pasteurize products.  “But a fixed location would let you do pasteurization. A $500,000 investment could convert to $3 million in sales.  The company is currently trying to improve its bottling operations with an intent to begin mobile bottling of spirits products.

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Good News for Restaurants, Bars: U.S. Moves Closer to Full Reopening

Posted on May 13, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

People who have been fully vaccinated — for those who received two Covid-19 vaccine doses produced by Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna, or those who received one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine —  don’t need to wear masks indoors or out or physically distance, with a few exceptions, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention director, said.

The exceptions:  doctor’s offices, transit and nursing homes.

That’s good news for restaurant and bars, although it does pose the challenge of how the venues will determine who has been vaccinated and who hasn’t.  While recent study of healthcare workers in Israel found the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine to be 97% effective against symptomatic infection and 86% effective against asymptomatic infection, unvaccinated people remain at risk and should continue to wear masks until they are vaccinated.

Cases in the U.S. have continued to drop, officials noted.  More than 35% of the population is fully vaccinated and more than 46% have received at least one dose.

Some local jurisdictions may not lift mask orders, and businesses retain the right to require all customers to wear masks.

Nonetheless, the move is good news for hard-hit restaurants and bars as is declarations by some states, including Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) that lifted restrictions in the state.

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Pendleton Whiskey to Release Military Appreciation Bottle

Posted on May 13, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

 Pendleton Whisky will release a Military Appreciation bottle to commemorate active military members and veterans of all United States Armed Forces. The limited-edition bottle is the third of its kind for Pendleton Whisky, and the first developed in connection with the Bob Woodruff Foundation (BWF) to which the Western whisky brand has pledged $100,000 in funding. A portion of proceeds from the bottle will also go to support BWF.

Pendleton Whisky will officially announce the release of the Military Appreciation bottle on May 15, Armed Forces Day, with a special feature on retired United States Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Brad Lang. Lang is one of many veterans who have found support and comfort through the nonprofit programs that the Bob Woodruff Foundation funds throughout the United States.

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21st Amendment Debuts a Summery Brew Free!

Posted on May 13, 2021 by Joel Whitaker
21st Amendment Brewery introduces its latest year-round release Tropical Brew Free! or Die IPA (6.8% ABV). It will hit shelvesin 21st Amendment’s 33-state footprint in 6-packs and 12-packs in July 2021. The Brew Free! or Die IPA lineup expands to include this refreshing tropical IPA with mega-juicy kettle hops and a harmonious blend of Idaho 7, El Dorado, Azacca, Mosaic, Amarillo, and Calypso dry hops.
“Our original Brew Free! or Die IPA has always been a bellwether of our craft beer selections since before it was even named that and just known at our San Francisco pub as ’21A IPA,'” says Shaun O’Sullivan, Co-Founder and Brewmaster of 21st Amendment Brewery. “We’ve had a lot of fun with Brew Free! creating a blood orange IPA and celebrating with a unique packaging design. Tropical Brew Free! or Die IPA was built from the ground up with a lighter malt bill and a touch lower in alcohol giving this beer a refreshing tropical aroma and flavor. It’s a first-rate IPA and perfect for summer.”
“The package depicts Abe Lincoln with sunglasses on and in full vacation mode. His stuffy bowtie is replaced with a flower lei and the other Mount Rushmore Presidents are cheering him on against an aquamarine background that sets the scene. Every sip is like an island vacation!” says Nico Freccia, Co-Founder and COO.
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Carolans Launches a Cold Brew

Posted on May 13, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Carolans Irish Cream (Heaven Hill), the second-largest Irish Cream Liqueur, launched Carolans Cold Brew. Smooth, cold brew coffee flavor is mixed with original Carolans Irish Cream for a rich and delicious combination that capitalizes on a hot consumer trend.

With a foundational flavor of the finest Irish Whiskey blended with farm fresh cream and naturally harvested honey, Carolans Cold Brew offers a new flavor experience to the award-winning brand. At 34 proof with a rich, coffee taste and notes of chocolate, Carolans Cold Brew is a superior sipper on its own, over ice, mixed in coffee or in a cocktail. One in four consumers mixes Irish Cream with coffee, according to Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, and the Cold Brew beverage category itself is growing at double digits, making Carolans Cold Brew poised for a tremendous launch. Carolans Cold Brew also builds on the success of Carolans Salted Caramel as the second line extension to the family.

“Carolans Cold Brew is deliciously fun from the first sip. Crafted from the Original Carolans Irish Cream base, the cold brew flavor delivers a new depth of flavor experience that will delight existing fans and newcomers alike,” said Hannah Venhoff, Heaven Hill Brands Group Product Director. “As the second largest Irish Cream, we are consistently seeking to amplify Carolans through consumer relevant innovation that builds upon a strong portfolio and offers consumers new opportunities to make new memories with Carolans.”

Carolans Cold Brew will be supported in trade media and retail point-of-sale with a tagline encouraging consumers to “Pour. Sip. Chill.” Carolans Cold Brew will be available nationwide beginning May 2021. The suggested retail price is $15.99/750ml bottle.

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Daily’s Debuts Poptails

Posted on May 13, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Daily’s, a longtime supplier of ready-to-drink frozen cocktail pouches,  announced its newest offering: single-serve, frozen Daily’s Poptails. Daily’s Poptails are now on store shelves nationwide in three fan-favorite flavors: strawberry, watermelon and green apple. T

At 6.8% ABV and 90 calories each, Daily’s Poptails complement go-to summer drinks like hard seltzer, ready-to-drink cocktails and beer, and travel easily to pools, beaches, lakes, backyards and everywhere else summer fun is had. With the likes of Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz — TV’s bar-owning “The Toms” – onboard as ambassadors, the fun will be can’t-miss.

“There couldn’t be a better time for Daily’s Poptails to make their debut. With the summer of 2021 poised to be all about getting safely back together, they are about the most social adult treats out there,” said Ilene Bergenfield, CMO. “The combination of Daily’s deep experience in frozen cocktails and the movement to new kinds of adult beverages make now the ideal moment to discover Daily’s Poptails.”

Daily’s Poptails will be available nationwide at retailers such as at Target, Sam’s Club, Walmart, and local adult beverage retailers, in 12-pack variety boxes at a suggested retail price of $14.99.

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