Inside the “Liquor Wars” in Missouri: the legislation, the litigation and the interests
Two bills, more than six lawsuits, at least 34 contract lobbyists, and countless companies are involved in the wine and spirits issue that is progressively rising as legislative session nears its end. Referred to by some on both sides only half-jokingly as the “liquor...
March 2013 Control State results: volume down 2.7% and revenue up 0.5%
During March, nine-liter spirits case sales in the control states fell 2.7% compared to same month last year sales. Rolling-twelve month reported volumes grew at 3.0%, down from February’s 3.5%. Mississippi, Vermont, and West Virginia reported monthly growth rates...
Wine focused Venture Capital Fund Bacchus Capital Management invests in Madrigal Family Winery
Bacchus Capital Management has announced making “a significant infusion of equity growth capital” in Madrigal Family Winery in Napa Valley and that winemaker Ed Sbragia will become Madrigal’s consulting winemaster while Steve Cousins of Sbragia Family Vineyards...
Fight brewing over Michigan booze laws: Government backs bid to ease making, selling of alcoholic beverages
The Snyder administration and the Michigan Liquor Control Commission director are seeking sweeping reforms they say will encourage a burgeoning home-grown industry by making it easier to make, buy and sell alcoholic beverages. The state ranks fifth nationally in the...
AB InBev and Modelo merger set to move forward
Two of the world's biggest beer companies are ready to join forces. The Justice Department announced that it had reached a settlement with Anheuser-Busch InBev and Grupo Modelo to resolve the anti-trust suit it filed earlier this year in response to their proposed...
Wine ice cream illegal in Louisiana – state law change required
Rum-laced fruitcake and boozy bonbons can be sold in Louisiana, but wine ice cream will need action by legislators before it can hit grocers’ freezers. State Alcohol and Tobacco Control Commissioner Troy Hebert said Thursday that he consulted legal experts after...
On-premise spirits sales on the rise in the US
As the U.S. economy continues to rebound in fits and starts, consumers are again moving to the on-premise, where operators are seizing on the momentum of the cocktail segment to drive business. “Flavors remain hot for both clear and brown spirits—and right now, brown...
Discus president: work continues to reverse Tequila ban in China
Patrón COO and Discus president John McDonnell has told Drinks International that work continues to reverse the Chinese ban on tequila. Tequila is exported to Hong Kong and Macau but is outlawed in mainland China because of its methanol level. McDonnell said work was...
German liquor supplier Waldemar Behn buys Danzka vodka from Belvedere
German liquor supplier Waldemar Behn has purchased Danzka vodka from France-based Belvedere Group for an undisclosed amount. The deal is said to be the biggest in Behn's 121-year history. With sales of 2.6 million bottles in 2012, Danzka vodka is well known brand...