NCSLA Sets Annual Conference for Aug. 26-29 in Reno

Posted on May 13, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Registration is now open for National Conference of State Liquor Administrators’ annual conference at the Peppermill Reno Resort, 2707 S. Virginia St., Reno, Nev., from Aug. 26-29.

The program will open with Marc Sorini, general counsel, Brewers Association, will chair a panel discussion of how much has changed since John D. Rockefeller commissioned Toward Liquor Control, which is generally considered the basis for the three-tier system.

A second panel will discuss the rise of secondary markets providing illicit alcohol.  A third panel will discuss responsible drinking and changing social norms, followed by an examination of the challenges posed by low- and no-alcohol products.  The impact of Covid-19 on the consumer landscape will lead off sessions on Saturday, followed by another session on how Covid is impacting such issues as temporary relief including to-go privileges, enforcement issues and more.  Supplier coupons and rebate payments will be discussed by a Saturday session, followed by Richard Blau’s legal update.  Sunday will see a discussion of direct-to-consumer shipping by distillers, brewers and retailers; staying ethical and private label products.

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Beam Suntory Joins Suntory Holdings in Covid Aid for India

Posted on May 12, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Beam Suntory and its parent company Suntory Holdings, pledged $600,000 (approx. INR 44,184,000) to support COVID-19 relief in India, focused on increasing access to medical care in the hardest-hit areas, and supporting on-trade partners that have been impacted by the surging pandemic.

Donations will support:

  • British Asian Trust, which is working to deliver oxygen concentrators to hospitals as quickly as possible, working with local partners to identify the areas of greatest need.
  • Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), India’s largest business chamber which is undertaking extensive relief operations across India with various Government agencies and local authorities in the areas affected by the second wave of COVID-19.
  • Through Beam Suntory’s partnership with the National Restaurant Association of India, supporting recovery efforts in the food and beverage industry, as well as professional training and vaccination cover where needed by staff of the association members.
  • Government-led relief efforts to mitigate the shortage of hospital equipment in India’s most severely impacted states.

“The pandemic has been a tragedy globally, but the current situation in India has hit close to home for us, as it has impacted many of our team members, their families, and communities,” said Albert Baladi, President/CEO of Beam Suntory. “Contributing to vibrant and equitable communities is a pillar of our Proof Positive sustainability strategy, and we are committed to helping support these hard-hit communities in India.”

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BON V!V Spiked Seltzer Releases New Flavor

Posted on May 12, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

BON V!V Spiked Seltzer (Anheuser-Busch) releases a premium botanical flavor, BON V!V Raspberry Dragonfruit.

It was test-marketed in Los Angeles, San Diego and Salt Lake City and is available nationwide as part of BON V!V’s Blends Variety Pack. With zero grams of sugar and a light and refreshing taste, BON V!V Raspberry Dragonfruit comes dressed to impress in a new sleek can design wrapped in metallic pink and donned with the signature of Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ signature – exclusive to the new flavor.

As creative advisor to the brand, Jonas launched #TogetherWomenRise where the brand donated $100,000 to women and their businesses at the start of the pandemic, partnered with female-founded clothing brand Helena Quinn to create holiday gift boxes and helped create the latest addition to the BON V!V family. The Raspberry Dragonfruit flavor is a nod to all of the strong, resilient and fierce women that have inspired the BON V!V brand, the company says.

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‘Direct Shipping Saved My Distillery,’ Owner Says

Posted on May 12, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

An interesting op-ed in which the owner of Blinking Owl Distillery, Santa Ana, Calif., says hand sanitizer production “which brought much-needed revenue but not profit” and the “foresighted action by the state Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) to allow us to ship our bottles directly to consumers, including through online sales” enabled his distillery to avoid being killed by Covid-19.

In the piece, Ryan Friesen urges the California Legislature to make permanent the ability for craft distillers to ship direct to consumers.

“Direct-to-consumer shipping offers small brands that were just able to eke out survival during Covid a chance to regain their footing, keep the lights on, and grow their brand to a sustainable level. Just because we reopened, doesn’t mean we are recovered,” he says.

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Portugal Wine Exports to U.S. Up 5.3% in Volume, 3.2% in Value Last Year

Posted on May 12, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Although 2020 presented unexpected circumstances,  Portugal’s wine exports grew by 3.2% in value and 5.3% in volume, reaching 846 million euros and 3.1 million  hectoliters, respectively.

The United States remained the No. 2 global market for  Portuguese wines, just behind France. This includes the sales of fortified bottlings and bulk wines. America’s market for  Portuguese wines increased 3.1% in value and 13.5% in volume (up to 92 million euros and 257 thousand hectoliters, respectively).

“Despite the events of the past year, the growth of Wines of  Portugal has been particularly positive on the U.S., thanks to the tireless commitment of our producers and their continuous investment in this key market. We are grateful to know that consumers found comfort in our wines during this unprecedented time, and we look forward to meeting again in the near future,” ViniPortugal President Frederico Falcão said.

With regards to classified Portuguese wines, including DOP and IGP bottlings, the United States remains the second destination worldwide for such wines, just behind  Brazil. An increase of 13.4% percent of these bottles’ positions on the U.S. market was achieved in 2020, totaling 59 million euros in value and reflecting only a slight per liter decrease (down 2.9%).

In the realm of DOP wines exclusively, exports to the United States increased by 3.8% in value (28.7 million euros) and 8.7% in volume (92,798 hectoliters).

Positive growth was seen on the IGP side of exports, which experienced the most significant rise: up 25.4% in value and 29.2% in volume (23.6 million euros and 98,088 hectoliters, respectively).

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Michelob Ultra Offers Exercisers Free Beer

Posted on May 12, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

 Michelob Ultra is launching Ultra Beer Run, a new program that allows sweat seekers to trade in their running miles, planks, squats or any act of fitness for a Michelob Ultra beer.

The Michelob Ultra Beer Run is a fully integrated, summer-long campaign that includes OOH, social media giveaways, retail activation, experiential and PR.  In addition, there will be an emotive 30-second spot entitled “The Pursuit” — a story of why people workout — that will live on social with a 15-second version airing on TV.

Michelob Ultra will hit the ground running by taking over popular running locations in New York, NY and Chicago, IL on Saturday, May 15 and reward people for their physical activity with beer, hand out branded premiums and sign them up to trade in their miles for beer.  Here’s the Twitter announcement:

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