Growth Brands Awards

The Growth Brands Awards have recognized successful beverage alcohol brands since 1997. Growth Brands are divided into four categories (Fast Track, Rising Star, Established Growth Brands and Comeback Brands) for wine, spirits and RTDs, while beer brands are awarded based upon a survey of off-premise retailers and on-premise operators.

The wine, spirit and RTD winners are announced each year in the summer issue of Beverage Dynamics, while beer winners are announced in the fall issue.

The 2024 Wine, Spirit and RTD winners will also be celebrated during the Beverage Alcohol Retailers Conference on June 17 in Chicago.

We’re now collecting brands’ sales data to determine our 2024 winners. For more information about the Growth Brands program, please contact Manager of Information Services Marina Velez for more information at mvelez@epgmediallc.com or 763-383-4412.

AWARD CRITERIA

The winning brands are determined by the Beverage Information Group, which tracks case sales throughout the year. All awards are given based on sales the prior calendar year. To be eligible, wine, spirit and RTD* brands must have met the following criteria:

Rising Stars: Must be less than five years old and have exhibited growth in each year of the brand’s lifetime, reaching at least 20,000 9-liter cases in 2023.

Fast Track: Must have exceeded 100,000 9-liter cases in 2023, averaging double-digit growth over the past three years. The brand must also be at least five years old.

Established Growth Brands: Must be a top seller, moving a minimum of 400,000 9-liter cases annually. It must also have grown in each of the past three years.

Comeback Brands: Previous award winners that have rebounded in sales to at least the previous award-winning level, following a recent decline.

Hall of Fame: Brands that have received at least 15 Growth Brand Awards over the years, in any category.

*Ready-to-Drink is defined as a beverage of less than 30 proof that is a mixture of a spirit or wine and a non-alcohol ingredient, designed to be consumed as sold.

Beer, flavored malt beverage, hard soda/seltzer and cider Growth Brands are chosen based on a survey of the Beverage Information Group’s online audiences.

Hall of Fame: Brands that have received at least 10 Growth Brand Awards over the years (may only enter the Hall of Fame in a year they win another category).

GROWTH BRANDS HALL OF FAME

The following brands have been inducted into our Hall of Fame due to their sustained success and growth:

SPIRITS: Wild Turkey (2023); Jack Daniel’s, Malibu, Tito’s, Stoli (2022); Evan Williams and Bacardi (2021); Grand Marnier (2020); Juarez Tequila and Jameson (2018); Bombay Sapphire, Hennessy, Patron, Remy Martin, Sauza and Svedka (2017); Burnett’s Vodka, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Johnnie Walker, Ketel One, Maker’s Mark and SKYY (2015)

WINE: Kim Crawford, Real Sangria (2023); Mionetto (2022); Woodbridge (2021); Ruffino (2020); Black Box (2019); Chateau Ste. Michelle (2016); J. Lohr (2015)

BEER: Sam Adams, Twisted Tea (2023); Bud Light, Coors Light, Fat Tire Amber Ale, Heineken (2019); Pabst Blue Ribbon (2016); Blue Moon, Corona Extra, Corona Light, Dos Equis, Modelo Especial, Pacifico, Shiner Bock, Stella Artois and Yuengling Lager (2015)

AWARDS COVERAGE

Below are links to the magazine features announcing each year’s winners.

2023 Growth Brands Awards