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Hpnotiq Sparkle

By
The Staff
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Heaven Hill has released a new seasonal liqueur for the 2014 holidays – Hpnotiq Sparkle. Infused with Champagne-like bubbles, the new effervescent liqueur is bottled at 12.5 percent ABV, slightly less than the 17 percent original Hpnotiq liqueur. Like its namesake, Sparkle has a suggested retail price of $1999 for a 750-ml. bottle.

North American Craft Brewers Assist Scottish Compatriots

By
The Staff
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The Scottish delegation will meet with craft brewers in Boston and Toronto in an effort to deepen their understanding of all things related to craft brewing. From the press release:

 

Boston – While Scotland may be best known for its scotch whisky, a delegation of top Scottish craft brewers arrived in the US to partake in a week-long learning journey focused on engaging their North American counterparts in conversations around the growing global demand for specialty beer. This ground breaking journey is being led by Scottish Development International (SDI), a partnership between the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, which works to help Scottish based companies develop international trade relationships.

A delegation of ten leading Scottish craft brewers arrived in Boston on October 13, and began a week of discovery, including meetings with brewers, industry experts, buyers and importers, including Harpoon Brewery, Samuel Adams and the US Craft Brewers Association. From Boston, the delegation will continue on to Toronto to meet with the LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario), the largest purchaser of alcohol in Canada, and will also attend Ontario Craft Brewers Conference and Suppliers Marketplace 2014.

The Scottish brewers taking part in the mission are West Brewery, Loch Ness Brewery, Loch Lomond Brewery, WooHa Brewing Company, Eden Brewery of St. Andrews, Fyne Ales, Crawcraft, Thistly Cross Cider Co., The Craft Beer Clan of Scotland and Spey Valley Brewery.

“North America is a priority market for Scottish producers, and interest in Scottish produce is at an all-time high, thanks to growing consumer demand for quality products with provenance,” said Susan Beattie, head of food & drink at SDI. “This learning journey allows our craft brewers to build the relationships necessary to increase their exposure in this market and generate greater interest in Scottish craft beer, while giving them the opportunity to gain valuable know-how and skills from North American experts.”

According to the Brewer’s Association, a US organization of craft brewers, the US beer market was worth an estimated $100 billion in 2013 with craft beer contributing $14.3 billion. While overall beer sales in the US slid by almost 2 percent in 2013, sales in the craft beer segment grew by 17.2 percent. Production figures demonstrated a similar trend for the period, with craft beer volume increasing 18 percent against a 2 percent decline in overall beer output.

Tecate’s New Taste the Triumph Program

By
The Staff
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Tecate and Tecate Light recently announced a retail campaign around the boxing match between Manny Pacquiao and Chris Algieri on November 22. The promotions include POS materials, a sweepstakes and mail-in rebates. From the press release:

 

NEW YORK (Oct. 02, 2014) – Tecate and Tecate Light, cervezas con carácter and long-time supporters of boxing, announced details behind their retail activation surrounding the highly-anticipated match between Manny Pacquiao and Chris Algieri, promoted by Top Rank and scheduled to be broadcast live on November 22 on HBO Pay-Per-View from the Venetian Macao’s Cotai Arena in China.  The three-month retail campaign is anchored on the brand’s “Taste of Triumph” communication platform, which encourages men of carácter to seize and conquer everyday victories, and includes a variety of promotions and VIP experiences.

“Boxing is one of the most popular televised sports among bicultural Hispanics, who constitute a large part of our Tecate and Tecate Light target consumers. Although Pacquiao vs. Algieri will take place in China, it still provides us with a great opportunity to not only build excitement among fans 21+ in the U.S., but also to help our retail partners increase traffic to stores and drive purchase around this relevant consumption occasion,” said Gustavo Guerra, brand director for Tecate and Tecate Light. “All of our promotions are carefully designed to give our consumers in the Western Sunbelt states the opportunity to “Taste the Triumph,” much like either Manny or Chris will on November 22nd.”

When consumers walk into retail stores in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico, they’ll notice a variety of thematic point-of-sale materials designed by Tecate and Tecate Light to create a shopping destination con carácter.  Commemorative posters, price cards, standees and banners featuring official fight artwork and event details will also encourage fans 21 and older to enter to win a variety of prizes through the brand’s “Taste of Triumph” Sweepstakes. By texting “TASTEOFTRIUMPH” to 55678, they’ll be in the running to win the Grand Prize consisting of a VIP trip for two to Macau, China to watch the fight live, including round-trip airfare, hotel for three nights, premium tickets to the fight at the Venetian Macau, and VIP access to various fight week events.

One First Prize winner will be awarded a trip for two to Las Vegas during the fight weekend, including transportation, hotel accommodations and VIP access to the official Tecate-sponsored Pacquiao vs. Algieri Viewing Party; while ten Second Prizes, consisting of a streaming code to the HBO PPV event and a $100 gift card, will allow additional fans 21 and older to watch the fight at home con carácter.

Additionally, Tecate and Tecate Light will offer a variety of savings solutions to drive traffic to stores and increase basket rings, including a mail-in-rebate coupon worth up to $30 off the HBO PPV event, and an instant savings of $5 off in the meat department with the purchase of an 18-pack or larger of Tecate or Tecate Light.  All promotions are valid only where legal and available.

Heineken to Become Official Beer of MLS

By
The Staff
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Heineken strengthens its global soccer presence by linking up with Major League Soccer beginning in its 20th anniversary season of 2015. From the press release:

 

White Plains, N.Y. — Heineken today announced a landmark, long-term partnership agreement with Major League Soccer (MLS) to become the Official Beer of MLS.  The partnership, which commences in January 2015, further establishes Heineken’s standing as a worldwide leader in the sport and gives the brand an additional springboard to challenge Americans to chase new experiences and open their world.

Heineken’s relationship with MLS corresponds with the next phase of the League’s evolution. In 2015, MLS’ 20th season will include a new-look crest, two new expansion clubs, new media partners and a new premium beer brand.  MLS will also serve as a seamless counterpart to Heineken’s global soccer initiatives, including sponsorship of the UEFA Champions League (UCL), to create year-long engagement with fans. Heineken will further complement their soccer properties with individual MLS club deals to be announced in the coming weeks.

“Soccer has been an invaluable platform for the Heineken brand  for years, with our position as sponsor of the UEFA Champions League and other top soccer properties around the world,” said Nuno Teles, Heineken Chief Marketing Officer. “Fans in the U.S. and across the globe appreciate the opportunity to enjoy first-class soccer with the highest quality premium beer. With this partnership, we look forward to continuing a lengthy tradition of creating unique experiences for fans everywhere and drive participation and engagement in the sport in a way that has never been done before in the U.S.”

The agreement between the two brands will see Heineken owning exclusive rights to MLS content and is the latest indicator in the rise of the world’s most popular sport in the United States, particularly amongst Millennials.  With the third highest average attendance of any U.S. sports league, the highest percentage of Hispanic and Millenial audience of any major U.S. sport and more than 22 million Americans actively playing soccer in the United States, MLS has proven to attract a diverse and cosmopolitan audience that reflects Heineken’s adult consumer. 

Starting in 2015, The Official Beer of MLS will present MLS Rivalry Week. In addition, Heineken will feature strong visibility during nationally broadcast matches, on-site and digital activations, and point-of-sale materials.

“We are excited to welcome Heineken on board as we approach the League’s 20th season,” said Gary Stevenson, President and Managing Director, MLS Business Ventures. “Heineken is a supporter of soccer globally and is a great fit for what’s next for Major League Soccer.”

Through the sponsorship, and by leveraging MLS’ passionate and growing fan base, Heineken strives to further elevate its global status as a world class beer and provider of unparalleled fan engagement.

Fine Line Between Craft and Mass-Market

By
Jeremy Nedelka
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I had lunch yesterday with Han Shan, the brand ambassador for Hudson Whiskey. We spent some time sampling the company’s portfolio of spirits (including their new Maple Cask Rye, which is finished in maple syrup barrels), as well as discussing the craft spirits industry.

One topic of conversation was the difficulty in scaling a craft product while still remaining true to the local, artisan feel that goes along with a craft brand. Shan agreed that it’s a difficult tightrope to walk, and says he spends a lot of time thinking about that problem.

That’s not to say Hudson has reached that tipping point yet where the company needs to decide whether to abandon its local manufacturing in order to satisfy demand (although I’m sure it’s not the kind of  problem William Grant would complain about). But at some point craft brands are faced with that decision, if they’re successful enough.

Boston Beer handled the problem of retaining its craft image masterfully by changing the definition of craft beer and utilizing Jim Koch’s unrivaled enthusiasm for beer to appeal to consumers. Tito’s Vodka is currently dealing with a similar problem, and it remains to be seen how well the company will handle its transition into the national spotlight.

Thanks to a partnership with William Grant, Hudson Whiskey became available nationwide in a short span of time – though its market share is still well within the definition of a craft spirit. But if Hudson continues to grow, the company may be faced with the reality that the Tuthilltown Distillery in New York and local farms supplying ingredients can no longer handle consumer demand. It will be interesting to see what they do if and when that time comes.

 

NOTE: More to come from my conversation with Shan in an upcoming issue of Beverage Dynamics.

Full Disclosure: Hudson covered the cost of my lunch with Han Shan.

The Glenlivet to Expand Offerings

By
The Staff
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The first new expression, available now, is The Glenlivet Nadurra Oloroso. Matured solely in ex-sherry casks, the Oloroso boasts notes of cinnamon and licorice along with warm spices and dried-fruit aromas.

Available next spring, The Glenlivet Nadurra First Fill Selection is drawn from American White Oak casks and offers hints of vanilla.

The Nadurra range is crafted with a nod to traditional production methods (nadurra means ‘natural’ in Gaelic). The expressions are produced in small batches and bottled without chill-filtration. This process is designed to offer additonal complexity, body and texture.

“These two new expressions are indicitive of our commitment to producing the very best whisky in the world,” said Wayne Hartunian, Vice President, Scotch and Cognac, Pernod Ricard USA. “We are certain that our loyal customers will be pleased with these new offerings, as the Nadurra range has always been a favorite of whisky afficionados. We are confident that these two new expressions will follow suit.”

Dublin Meets Latrobe With Guinness Blonde

By
The Staff
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With ingredients from Ireland and America, Guinness Blonde is more than a beer – it’s melding of nations! As the beer continues to hit shelves around the nation, we compared Dublin and Latrobe – the two cities central to production. 

 

Latrobe, Pa.                                     

Population: 8,338

Area: 2.3 square miles

Notable Landmark: Latrobe Train Station, built in 1903, is on the National Register of Historic Places

Skyline Standout: Citizens National Bank of Latrobe was opened in 1926 and is the tallest building in the city at six stories

Favorite Sports Team: The Pittsburgh Steelers hold training camp in Latrobe each summer, which likely gives the Steelers the edge over the Pirates and Penguins

Notable Natives: Arnold Palmer, seven-time major-winning golfer, and Fred Rogers of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood fame

Fun Fact: The banana split sundae was invented in Latrobe in 1904 at Tassel Pharmacy, and the city now plays host to the annual Great American Banana Split Celebration each summer

Contribution to Guinness Blonde: American hops (Mosaic, Willamette and Mt. Hood) and the facility where the beer is brewed

Dublin, Ire.

Population: 527,612

Area: 114.99 square kilometers

Notable Landmarks: St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Trinity College, Dublin Castle and many more

Skyline Standout: The Monument of Light, a 398-foot spire completed in 2003, stands on the same ground as Nelson’s Pillar, which was destroyed by an IRA bombing in 1966

Favorite Sports Team: Dublin’s top professional rugby club Leinster currently sits atop the European Rugby Club Rankings

Notable Natives: For the pop culture fanatics, U2’s Bono and actor Colin Farrell. For the wordsmiths, James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw

Fun Fact: The famed Handel’s Messiah was performed for the first time on April 13, 1742 in Dublin, and the anniversary is marked each year with choirs as they perform excerpts

Contribution to Guinness Blonde: Guinness’ 125-year-old yeast, which is being imported to the U.S. for the first time exclusively for the Blonde American Lager

 

For more information on Guinness Blonde, click here

Pendleton Celebrates One Million Cases Sold

By
The Staff
-

The popular Canadian Whisky hit the one million mark Monday, a year after celebrating its 10th anniversary. From the press release:

 

Hood River, Ore. — Pendleton Whisky, a top 10 premium Canadian Whisky and the largest privately owned premium Canadian whisky brand, announced the sale of its 1,000,000th case of whisky today.  

The brand, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2013, was born of the rich tradition of the Pendleton Round-Up – one of the oldest and most prestigious rodeos in the world that takes place annually in Pendleton, Ore. Pendleton Whisky has quickly grown to be one of the top selling spirits in the Pacific Northwest and has experienced consecutive years of growth in sales and distribution since its inception. Today, Pendleton Whisky ranks in the Top 10 of US bottled premium Canadian Whiskies and is distributed in all 50 states and throughout Canada.

“It is with great pleasure that we announce the sale of our 1,000,000th case of Pendleton Whisky,” said RR Dodge, president and CEO of Hood River Distillers. “As one of the fastest growing Canadian whiskies, we’re thrilled to achieve this industry milestone and look forward to expanding our presence across the United States and beyond in the years to come.”

Pendleton Whiskey is a three-time Fast Track Growth Brand winner (2011, ’12, ’13), awarded by the Beverage Information Group. For more information about BIG’s data collection and handbook sales, visit www.albevresearch.com

The Glenrothes 1992 Vintage Single Malt

By
The Staff
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Anchor Distilling Company has introduced the second edition of The Glenrothes 1992 Vintage Single Malt to the U.S. Aged 10 years longer than the first edition, the new release is bottled at 44.3 percent ABV. The non-chill-filtered 1992 vintage is aged in a mixture of refilled Sherry Butts and American ex-Bourbon Hogsheads. The 22-year-old whisky is available for a suggested retail price of $249.99.

2014 Parker’s Heritage Collection

By
The Staff
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Heaven Hill announced the 2014 Parker’s Heritage Collection limited edition bottling. The eighth edition of this annual release features a 13-year-old cask strength wheat whiskey. For the first time, the Heritage bottling will use an American Straight Whiskey instead of a Bourbon. As with previous releases, a portion of the proceeds will be used to benefit ALS research and treatment. The 127.4 proof whiskey is available for a suggested retail price of $89.99 for a 750-ml. bottle.

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