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 and spirits, while beer brands are awarded based upon a survey of off-premise retailers and on-premise operators. The wine and spirit winners are announced each year in the April issue of Beverage Dynamics, while beer winners are announced in the September/October issue.
The 2023 Wine & Spirit winners will be featured in the April issue of Beverage Dynamics. We’re now collecting wine and spirits sales data to determine our 2023 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 and spirit 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 2022.
Fast Track: Must have exceeded 100,000 9-liter cases in 2022, 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.
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: 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: Mionetto (2022); Woodbridge (2021); Ruffino (2020); Black Box (2019); Chateau Ste. Michelle (2016); J. Lohr (2015)
BEER: 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.
2022 Growth Brands Awards
- Feature: 2022 Spirits Growth Brands
- Feature: 2022 Wine Growth Brands
- Feature: 2022 Hall of Famers
- Feature: 2022 Beer Growth Brands (Coming in October)
2021 Growth Brands Awards
- Feature: 2021 Spirits Growth Brands
- Feature: 2021 Wine Growth Brands
- Feature: 2021 Hall of Famers
- Video: 2021 Wine & Spirits
- Feature: 2021 Beer Growth Brands
2020 Growth Brands Awards
- Feature: 2020 Spirits Growth Brands
- Feature: 2020 Wine Growth Brands
- Video: 2020 Wine & Spirits
- Feature: 2020 Beer Growth Brands
- Video: 2020 Beer
2019 Growth Brands Awards
- Feature: 2019 Spirits Growth Brands
- Feature: 2019 Wine Growth Brands
- Feature: 2019 Beer Growth Brands
- Photos: Reception at WSWA
2018 Growth Brands Awards
- Feature: 2018 Spirits Growth Brands
- Feature: 2018 Wine Growth Brands
- Feature: 2018 Wine & Spirits Hall of Fame
- Feature: 2018 Beer Growth Brands
2017 Growth Brands Awards
- Feature: The 2017 Wine Growth Brands
- Feature: The 2017 Spirits Growth Brands
- Photos: WSWA Reception and Presentation
- Feature: 2017 Wine & Spirits Hall of Fame
- Feature: Beer Growth Brands
- Photos: 2017 NBWA Convention
2016 Growth Brands Awards
- Feature: Beer Growth Brands
- Feature: J. Lohr Estates Joins the Hall of Fame
- Feature: Wine Growers
- Feature: Spirited Growth
- Photos: WSWA Reception and Presentation
- Photos: Growth Brands at NABCA
2015 Growth Brands Awards
- Feature: Beer They Are
- Feature: Beer Growth Brands Hall of Fame
- Introduction: 2015 Wine & Spirit Winners
- Feature: Rising Spirits
- Feature: Growing on the Vine
- Photos: Growth Brands Reception at WSWA
- Feature: Wine & Spirits Hall of Fame Inaugural Class
2014 Growth Brands Awards