November brought a mix of regulatory developments, strategic acquisitions, and leadership transitions across the beverage alcohol industry as operations normalized following the government shutdown. The month was marked by the TTB’s return to full operations after a six-week closure, some major investment activity, and more. Below is Park Street University’s full recap of the top stories for the month of November.
TTB: Post-Shutdown Update on Label Approvals & Permits
The TTB has resumed full operations following the six-week government shutdown and is working diligently to process pending applications and restore normal service levels. To help the TTB recover and minimize processing times for label approvals (COLAs) and permits, the agency recommends withdrawing unnecessary applications, waiting to submit until a final formulation is confirmed, and ensuring all submissions are complete and correct before submission. (Source)
WarRoom Cellars Acquires Historic SIMI Brand
WarRoom Cellars, a growing Central Coast wine company, announced the acquisition of the SIMI brand from The Wine Group, honoring the California legacy founded in 1876 in San Francisco and established in Healdsburg, Sonoma County, where it became one of the few brands to survive Prohibition. The Wine Group CEO John Sutton noted the sale supports the company’s focus on aligning its portfolio to current and long-term goals, while WarRoom partners with Total Beverage Solution to manage sales and distribution, with BMO Capital Markets serving as advisor on the transaction. (Source)
Anheuser-Busch Expected to Acquire RTD Brand BeatBox For $700M
Anheuser-Busch InBev is reportedly nearing a $700 million acquisition of BeatBox Beverages, marking ABI’s first wine-based RTD addition to a portfolio that already includes Cutwater and Nütrl, with the deal reflecting the company’s renewed commitment to engaging younger drinkers in the growing ready-to-drink sector. BeatBox, projected to sell over 12 million cases in 2025, has built strong appeal among Gen Z consumers through colorful packaging, accessible pricing, and shareable formats, following a trend of youth-focused acquisitions, including Sazerac’s purchase of BuzzBallz and Gallo’s acquisition of Whiny Baby earlier this year. (Source)
New Law Gives THC Beverage Industry a Year to Adapt
A new U.S. funding bill signed into law tightened restrictions on hemp-derived THC beverages by narrowing the federal definition of hemp to products containing no more than 0.3% THC by dry weight or 0.4 mg of THC per container, a standard that could remove as much as 95% of hemp extract products from the market. The policy addressed regulatory loopholes that allowed intoxicating hemp products to be sold outside state cannabis systems since the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp, with uneven oversight fueling the growth of high-potency THC beverages and renewed calls for clearer national standards. With rules taking effect November 13, 2026, industry leaders plan to use the year-long grace period to advocate for a workable regulatory framework that mirrors alcohol’s age and potency controls. (Source)
William Grant & Sons Confirms CEO Resignation
William Grant & Sons has confirmed that CEO Søren Hagh has resigned after nearly two years in the role, with CFO Graeme Jenkins and CCO Doug Bagley stepping in to lead the Scottish spirits maker. The company declined to provide details about the reasons for Hagh’s departure or plans for finding a replacement. Hagh, who joined from Heineken in January 2024, leaves as the company faces industry headwinds, revenue dropped 6.5% to £1.83 billion, and pre-tax profit fell 30% to £388 million in 2024, which the company attributed to market-wide challenges, including ongoing destocking issues. (Source)