Beer – Keep It Overproof!

Gambrinus Takes Texan Mindset to “Domestic” Space

Dear Client: Gambrinus’ Spoetzl Brewery (makers of Shiner Beer) is entering the “classic” beer space with a classic of its own: Texas Special. Indeed, the company is digging deep into its vault to revive the heritage brand, believing it has found white space in the increasingly crowded space of domestic, er American lagers with a decidedly Texan approach. It plans to compete in the space this year with Texas Special at a “fair” price point and sizable investment, all while keeping a healthy distance from the notable Shiner brand. We’ll dive deeper...

Distribs Across the Country Share Best Practices

Posted in Beer, Industry.

Dear Client: We’ve talked to a ton of distributors over the past week to get a feel for how they’re adapting in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. One common theme, no matter the person’s time in the beer industry, “I’ve never seen anything like this.” One distributor described it to me as, “It’s like flying a 747 right above the treeline. You’ll probably be okay, but you can’t make any mistakes.” We are truly in uncharted waters. So with essentially every wholesaler learning on the fly right now, we figured it would...

On-Premise Closed for Business

Posted in Beer, Industry.

Dear Client: The on-premise is now shut down in more than half the states in the U.S. In our latest tally, we identified 28 states that have ordered bars and restaurants to shutter. Here’s what the updated list looks like: California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida (bars, nightclubs shut down, but restaurants can still operate for now at 50% capacity) Illinois Indiana Iowa Kentucky Louisiana Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota New Hampshire New Jersey New York North Carolina Ohio Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina Utah* Vermont Washington West Virginia Wisconsin AND...

Drinks Revolution: Spiritrade shakes up the drinks industry

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine.

Spiritrade boss Jimmy Metta tells db about the firm smashing its first-year growth expectations by 300%, and shaking things up in the industry with the launch of the secure global drinks marketplace LAUNCHED IN March 2019, new kid on the block, Spiritrade, has proved to be adept at shaking up the drinks marketplace. This was a key aim of founder Jimmy Metta, whose previous successes include luxury drinks wholesaler Vanquish and online drinks retailer 31Dover.com. The global drinks trading platform for spirits, beer, Champagne and non- alcoholic beverages now boasts a membership of...

Many More Mandatory On-Premise Closings; The Rise of the Neo-Speakeasy?

Posted in Beer, Industry.

Dear Client: By now, over 20 states have all announced the closure of bars and restaurants in wake of COVID-19, while still allowing carryout and delivery. That list includes: California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Illinois Indiana Kentucky Louisiana Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota New Hampshire New Jersey New York Ohio Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island Vermont Washington And D.C. Notably, some of those states mentioned above are offering up solutions to these on-premise establishments during this temporary shutdown. As Wine & Spirits Daily reported yesterday, the Distilled...

California, New York, Illinois, Ohio, Massachusetts, Washington, and Indiana Shut Down On-Premise

Posted in Beer, Industry.

Dear Client: Your editor told the Chicago Tribune on Friday that this past weekend would be crucial in telling the tale of how the coronavirus has and will affect the beer industry, particularly on-premise, and indeed the worm has turned. It’s worse than we thought. Much worse. The dam broke on Sunday afternoon on the Ides of March, as Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker ordered all restaurants and bars across the state to be closed to dine-in customers until at least March 30. Delivery and drive up will remain open. This will be effective end-of-business tonight. Ohio Governor...

Boris Johnson tells UK to avoid bars and restaurants and ‘has powers’ to enforce closure

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine.

People in the UK have been told to avoid social contact, work from home and stay away from pubs and bars in an effort to slow down the rise of coronavirus (Covid-19) cases. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned that the UK could be approaching the “fast growth of the upward curve” of confirmed coronavirus cases, which now means cases are expected to double every five days, unless “drastic action” can be taken. Although he said the government would not enforce the closure of theatres, restaurants, pubs and bars, it has “the powers if necessary” to do so. Addressing...

Coors Light Halting “Official Beer of ‘Working’ Remotely” Spots

Posted in Beer, Industry.

Dear Client: The coronavirus/COVID-19 is affecting marketing, too, apparently. At Molson Coors Beverage Co’s Houston distributor convention last month, we teased a key, new spring Coors Light ad. The spot was a play on the notorious loss of work productivity during March Madness. It landed well with distributors. Those ads are now being pulled — … Continue reading “Coors Light Halting “Official Beer of ‘Working’ Remotely” Spots” You are unauthorized to view this page. Read the full article

Budget live: Chancellor freezes alcohol duties and abolishes business rates for small retailers

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine.

The UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer has frozen alcohol duties for spirit, wine and beer, and abolished business rates for the year for hundreds of thousands of small retailers and businesses in the hospitality sector. Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who only took on the role last month, has cut a planned increase in duty across spirits, wine and beer, noting it was only the second time in 20 years that all alcohol duties had been frozen and reiterated the upcoming review of UK alcohol taxation that was unveiled during the Queen’s speech. He also singled out the value of Scotch to the...

COVID-19’s Effect on U.S. Beer Industry: An Early Read

Posted in Beer, Industry.

Dear Client: The short answer: Not much……. yet. I had breakfast at a taco joint yesterday with my chief of security, Blue, and the guy making my taco slightly coughed into his elbow, and glanced up at me apologetically. I mustered a smile: Hey not a problem man. It cannot be denied that people are … Continue reading “COVID-19’s Effect on U.S. Beer Industry: An Early Read” You are unauthorized to view this page. Read the full article

Tag: Beer