Dixie Vodka to Sponsor NASCAR’s Tony Stewart

Posted on May 3, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

To celebrate the collaboration, Dixie Vodka will introduce Tony’s Tea, a new, ready-to-drink canned cocktail, this June alongside a series of three other canned cocktails from the brand. Tony’s Tea features a combination of iced tea and lemonade spiked with Dixie Vodka’s award-winning flagship Southern Vodka.

“I’m always on the go, but that doesn’t mean I sacrifice quality for speed. That’s why I partnered with Dixie Vodka,” Stewart said. “Their attention to detail is second to none, and when we were looking to create a great-tasting and ready-to-drink cocktail, Dixie Vodka delivered. Ice it and open it and Tony’s Tea is ready to go. I’m looking forward to working with Matti and his team at Dixie Vodka to introduce this line of canned cocktails to our fans.”

Dixie Vodka is the first Official Vodka of NASCAR and serves as the title sponsor for the Dixie Vodka 400 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway each February.

“The opportunity to partner with legendary driver Tony Stewart is exciting for everyone on the Dixie team and further expands our presence in the motorsports world,” says Matti Anttila, founder/CEO. Grain & Barrel Spirits, the parent portfolio of Dixie Vodka. “Already the Official Vodka of NASCAR, we are quickly becoming the go-to vodka for motorsports fans across the country.”

As a result of the partnership, Dixie Vodka will be recognized as the Official Vodka of Tony Stewart, the Official Vodka of Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, and the Official Vodka of the All Star Circuit of Champions.

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Who & What —

Posted on April 30, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

HIRED:  Tequila Komos adds four industry veterans to its executive team:  Ria Soler as director of education and advocacy, from Sweet & Chill where she was a brand manager; Daniel Udell as brand director; Eric Villalobos as regional sales director-West, and Paola Bianchi as regional sales director-East.

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‘Gabe’ Erenzo, Hudson Valley Whiskey Pioneer, Dies at 41

Posted on April 30, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

He died in his sleep, and cause of death hasn’t been identified.

Erenzo and his father, Ralph Erenzo, created two nationally popular spirits brands: Hudson Whiskey and Tuthilltown Spirits.  Hudson Whiskey, whose tagline is “whiskey as bold as New York,” was a breakthrough part of Erenzo’s career, reaching name-brand recognition across the Valley and throughout the spirits world. The whiskey, made with grain from regional farms, was renowned for its flavor profile and groundbreaking bottle design.

 

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Craft Brewers Conference Set for Sept. 9-12, to Have Covid Protocols

Posted on April 30, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Registration for the 2021 Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America opens Tuesday, May 4.  In a major change to facilitate contact tracing and comply with public health measures, advance registration will be required for educational seminars, preconference workshops and the keynote address.

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High West Transitions Rendezvous Rye to Seasonal Collectible

Posted on April 30, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

High West Distillery & Saloon, Utah’s first legal distillery since 1870, releases an exclusive rendition of Rendezvous Rye, an award-winning blend of straight rye whiskeys. The limited release label on the limited release features custom artwork crafted by the iconic Ed Mell, an artist whose timeless Western landscapes bring to life High West’s signature spirit.

In keeping with the essence of the original High West labels, Ed crafted the new Rendezvous Rye label to reflect a New West, Meets Old West aesthetic, boasting warm earth tones and a contemporary-inspired cowboy scene. This latest release of Rendezvous Rye will be available beginning Monday, May 3.    

“High West’s newest version of our signature Rendezvous Rye gives whiskey enthusiasts plenty of reasons to toast this season,” High West General Manager Daniel Schear said. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with Ed Mell on the custom label, a look and feel which embodies the spirit of the West in a single bottle.”

This limited-edition kicks off High West’s transition of the Distillery’s flagship whiskey to a seasonal release. Showcasing the older, more distinguished side of rye whiskey, Rendezvous Rye has evolved to include more of High West’s own pot still rye which brings elements of dried fruit, leather, and candied ginger to the final product. This increased depth and dried stone fruit complexity gives patrons an unforgettable bottle to add to their collection of annual releases featured year to year.

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88 U.S., EU Trade Groups Urge End to Retaliatory Tariffs on Products Not in Trade Disputes

Posted on April 30, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Eighty-eight U.S. and European organizations representing a wide range of industries impacted by retaliatory tariffs sent a letter to President Joseph R. Biden and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urging permanent removal of tariffs on sectors unrelated to the ongoing Trans-Atlantic trade disputes.

After expressing their appreciation for the four-month suspension of retaliatory tariffs related to the Airbus/Boeing dispute, the groups said:

“We are hopeful that this suspension will help reset the vital transatlantic trade relationship and lead to the permanent removal of all additional and retaliatory tariffs on products which are unrelated to the sectors subject to ongoing transatlantic trade disputes.”

“It is important for our members, already drastically affected by the economic impact of the pandemic, to be able to rely on the continued suspension or complete removal of these tariffs after July 2021.”

Citing the looming June 1 deadline for the second wave of retaliatory tariffs in the steel & aluminum dispute, the organizations called for a suspension of retaliatory tariffs in other disputes, while both sides work on a more permanent solution.

“The transatlantic relationship is of enormous economic importance to our sectors, and we are eager to see it protected and nurtured,” said the organizations.  “Our sectors should no longer incur collateral damage in these unrelated disputes.”

Signers of the letter include American Beverage Licensees, American Craft Spirits Association, Arizona Craft Distillers Guild, Colorado Distillers Guild, Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. , Idabo Distillers Association, Kentucky Distillers Association, Napa Valley Vintners, National Association of Beverage Importers, National Association of Wine Retailers, New York State Distillers Guild, Oregon Distillers Guild, South Carolina Distillers Guild,Spirits Europe, Tennessee Distillers Guild, Ohio Distillers Guild, Virginia Distillers Association, Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America, Wine & Spirits Shippers Association, WineAmerica.

Beer Institute and Brewers Association did not sign the letter.

 

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