January 2026 opened with seismic distribution shifts and strategic repositioning across the beverage alcohol industry, as major players recalibrated operations and ownership structures for the year ahead. The month was dominated by RNDC’s announcement to sell operations in seven key markets to Reyes Beverage Group following its California exit. U.S. Dietary Guidelines also abandoned specific alcohol limits in favor of general consumption advice, while acquisition activity continued with United Beverages buying the JJ gin-and-vodka brand, GHF acquiring Fielden Whisky, and more. Below is Park Street University’s full recap of the top stories for the month of January.
Reyes to Acquire RNDC Operations in Seven Key Markets
Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) is set to sell portions of its operations in seven markets (Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, South Carolina, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.) to Reyes Beverage Group, the nation’s largest beer distributor, following its withdrawal from California less than a year earlier. In a memo to employees, newly appointed CEO Marc Sachs confirmed alignment on key economic terms for the deal, with Reyes planning to operate the acquired businesses separately from its existing ones, though the transaction still requires final steps and financial terms remain undisclosed. (Source)
New U.S. Dietary Guidelines Remove Specific Alcohol Limits
The 2025-2030 U.S. Dietary Guidelines abandon specific alcohol recommendations, replacing them with general advice to “limit consumption” for health. Previous guidelines recommended two alcoholic beverages per day for men and one for women. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines influence medical advice, federal programs, and public health policy. The change eliminates widely used serving descriptions that defined moderate drinking. Federal officials assert this represents no major shift from previous guidance, though the guidelines no longer provide consumers with specific consumption benchmarks for moderation. (Source)
Heineken CEO Steps Down After Six Years
Heineken announced that CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board Dolf van den Brink will step down from his role on May 31, 2026, after nearly six years leading the company and more than 28 years with Heineken. Having guided the brewer through challenging economic and political conditions, completed the EverGreen 2025 transformation, and launched the EverGreen Strategy 2030, van den Brink, in agreement with the Supervisory Board, believes now is the appropriate time for a leadership transition to best support the company’s next phase. The Supervisory Board expressed gratitude for his contributions and will begin a search for his successor, while van den Brink has agreed to serve in an advisory capacity for eight months starting June 1, 2026. (Source)
Robb Report Invested in Cygnet Gin
American luxury lifestyle magazine Robb Report has acquired a minority stake in Cygnet, the Welsh ultra-premium gin brand founded in 2022 by classical singer Katherine Jenkins OBE and professor Andrew Levitas. Cygnet’s portfolio features the flagship Cygnet 22 Gin (crafted with 22 botanicals, including manuka honey), the whisky-barrel-aged Cygnet 77, a more accessible Welsh Dry Gin, and an alcohol-free option called Cygnet Infinity. The strategic investment, announced in early 2026 with undisclosed financial terms, was hailed as a “major milestone” and “groundbreaking partnership” by Cygnet’s partner and chairman, Matteo Fantacchiotti, former CEO of Campari Group, who noted it would leverage Robb Report’s global influence to position Cygnet as a leader in the luxury spirits sector. (Source)
Tabasco Maker Sues Stoli Ahead of Absolut Launch
McIlhenny Company, the family-owned Louisiana producer of the iconic Tabasco hot sauce, filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Stoli Group USA on January 16, 2026, amid Stoli’s ongoing Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in Texas federal court. The complaint targets Stoli Halapeño Pepper vodka, a jalapeño-infused spirit launched on December 16, 2025, and produced at Stoli’s Louisiana Spirits facility (home of Bayou Rum), alleging that its packaging copies Tabasco’s distinctive, federally protected look and is likely to confuse consumers or dilute the brand’s identity. McIlhenny claims the design mirrors elements proposed during failed 2024 collaboration talks with Stoli, which ended when Tabasco opted for a different direction. The suit coincides with the January 28, 2026, global rollout of the official Absolut × Tabasco chili pepper-flavored vodka collaboration. (Source)
Delicato Family Wines Continues Moves Away From RNDC
Delicato Family Wines announced that it is expanding its distribution partnerships by deepening ties with Johnson Brothers and Breakthru Beverage Group while establishing new agreements with Empire Merchants and Columbia Distributing. These changes involve shifting away from Republic National Distributing Co. (RNDC) in multiple markets across the U.S., following a similar transition in California to Breakthru seven months earlier, when RNDC still handled the portfolio in 25 states. CEO Chris Indelicato described the moves as strengthening relationships with knowledgeable partners and seizing growth opportunities to support long-term brand execution and performance, amid broader industry shifts triggered by RNDC’s California exit. (Source)
David Bowman Named CEO of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates
Ste. Michelle Wine Estates announced key leadership changes following its recent acquisition by the Wyckoff family in December from private equity firm Sycamore Partners, marking the first local ownership in over 50 years. David Bowman, who previously served as co-CEO alongside Anna Mosier since joining the company in 2022, has been appointed sole CEO. Mosier will now take on the roles of president and chief financial officer. Court Wyckoff, CEO of Wyckoff Farms and Coventry Vale Winery, praised Bowman’s visionary wine industry expertise and Mosier’s strong operational and financial leadership, stating that their combined guidance will be essential to advancing Ste. Michelle’s portfolio of iconic Northwest wine brands supports the future of Washington’s wine industry. (Source)
Sazerac Enters Exclusive Sales and Distribution Relationship With Midnight Moon
Sazerac has announced an exclusive sales and distribution partnership with Piedmont Distillers for the fast-growing Midnight Moon brand, which includes Moonshines and Moonshakes, a line of moonshine and liqueur products. CEO Jake Wenz expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, noting the brand’s significant progress in recent years and the potential to unlock further growth opportunities. This agreement adds Midnight Moon to Sazerac’s expanding portfolio of third-party partnerships. (Source)
United Beverages Buys Gin-and-Vodka Brand JJ
United Beverages Group has acquired the JJ gin-and-vodka brand from UK-based Halewood Artisanal Spirits, though financial terms were not disclosed. The JJ brand, which sells over 600,000 nine-litre cases annually and is one of the fastest-growing in the UK, will see Halewood remain its exclusive distributor in the UK market, while United Beverages takes responsibility for international exports. Halewood described the sale as part of its strategy to refine its portfolio and focus on artisanal brands such as Whitley Neill gin, Dead Man’s Fingers rum, and its expanding whisky range. United Beverages CEO William Carey highlighted the acquisition as aligning with the group’s growth strategy for leading brands with strong export potential. (Source)
Jackalope Brewing Company Acquires Black Abbey Brewing Company
Jackalope Brewing Company has acquired Black Abbey Brewing Company, uniting two longstanding Nashville craft beer staples that have shared a decade-long friendship rooted in mutual respect, community values, and a deep connection to Tennessee’s beer scene. The deal allows Black Abbey’s European-inspired beers to retain their distinct identity and brewing quality while benefiting from Jackalope’s expanded production capacity, broader distribution, and resources for long-term growth. Jackalope CEO Steve Barone emphasized the intentional, values-driven nature of the partnership, describing it as a natural next step for brands that grew up together in the market. Black Abbey founder Carl Meier will join Jackalope’s sales team, and both companies aim to preserve their community focus. (Source)
GHF Acquires Fielden Whisky
Brand development agency GHF has acquired the English whisky brand Fielden for an undisclosed sum, with plans to relaunch it in early 2026 under a refreshed identity. Originally launched in May 2024 following the rebranding and relocation of The Oxford Artisan Distillery, Fielden is positioned as a modern English whisky made from regeneratively farmed, diverse grains, earning strong credibility among bartenders, retailers, and enthusiasts for its distinctive flavor and sustainable approach. GHF CEO Tristram Coates praised Fielden as a genuine category challenger with iconic potential, noting it fits perfectly alongside the agency’s mission-led portfolio of British spirits like Sapling, Everleaf, and Nc’nean, and will benefit from GHF’s trade relationships, brand-building expertise, and long-term commitment to growing English whisky with integrity. (Source)