Black Momma Beverage Industry

Anheuser-Bush to expand partnership with Craft Brew Alliance
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by a majority of CBA’s shareholders not affiliated with A-B and certain regulatory approvals, and is expected to close in 2020.

Molson Coors, L.A. Libations announce partnership in building beverage brands
The investment gives Molson Coors a stake in new products launched by L.A. Libations and the agreement gives Molson Coors access to brand creation and building, and consulting/insights services from L.A. Libations.

ABA, leading beverage brands team up to boost bottle recycling
Industry-leading beverage companies The Coca-Cola Co., Keurig Dr Pepper and PepsiCo are taking the lead on another front: protecting the environment.

PATHWATER, Intuit partner to reduce single-use plastic bottles

PATHWATER, Fremont, Calif., has partnered with global business and financial software company Intuit in support of the company's mission to reduce single-use plastic waste. 

Ocean Spray launches 3 unsweetened juices

Boston-based Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc., the agricultural cooperative owned by more than 700 cranberry farmers, announced the addition of three new unsweetened juices in its Ocean Spray Pure Fruit Juice portfolio along with redesigned packaging being distributed throughout Walmart stores across the country this month.

Smirnoff Ice launches Cremsiffino for holiday gift exchange

As a brand that is known for being both mischievous and fun, Smirnoff Ice, a brand of Diageo North America, Norwalk, Conn., has created the ultimate holiday present this holiday season: three different cardboard boxes that appear to contain luxurious home goods items and appliances, but actually contain a bottle of Smirnoff Ice premium flavored malt beverage.

BJ’s Wholesale Club launches line of Wellsley Farms premium spirits

BJ’s Wholesale Club, Westborough, Mass., launched a premium spirits collection from the retailer’s exclusive brand, Wellsley Farms. BJ’s members can find the new spirits, which include vodka, Canadian Whisky and Irish Whiskey, in select BJ’s clubs now, just in time for holiday entertaining.

Winerytale app combines augmented reality, artificial intelligence

Augmented reality and artificial intelligence are propelling more than 500 wineries across the globe into futuristic marketing that cleverly connects wine-labels with millennial wine lovers.

Black Butte Whiskey returns for holidays

Just in time for the holidays, Deschutes Brewery, Bend, Ore., and Bendistillery, also of Bend, Ore., announced the fourth annual release of their limited Black Butte Whiskey collaboration.

Hiro Sake introduces single-serve packaging format

Hiro Sake, imported by Hiro Sake USA, Manhasset, N.Y., debuted its first single-serve glass cup sake, a term commonly used to reference this serving size.

Laughing Man Coffee encourages fans to donate a smile

This Giving Tuesday, Hugh Jackman's Laughing Man Coffee, Boston, is making every cup (and smile) count by encouraging fans to smile to make a difference. For every smiling selfie shared using the Laughing Man Coffee filter on Instagram Stories on Dec. 3, $1 will be donated toward the Laughing Man Foundation, up to $100,000.

Thanksgiving holiday offers opportunities for on-premise outlets

The latest consumer data from New York-based Nielsen CGA has revealed that Thanksgiving is the most valuable annual occasion for still wine, providing ample opportunity for local bars and restaurants expecting an influx of hometown consumers this week, it says. Wine outperforms spirits, beer, cocktails and soft drinks in that 39 percent of U.S. consumers choose to drink wine when out-of-home during the Thanksgiving period, with significant opportunity for wine-led bars as well as specific dining channels where wine and food pairings are key.

Limited-edition 150th Anniversary Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut

Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut, which was first created in 1869 and named “Impérial” in honor of the Moët family’s close friend, Napoleon, is celebrating 150 years of legacy with the release of its 150th Anniversary Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut.

PepsiCo’s Green Bond to fund sustainability initiatives
The net proceeds from the $1 billion Green Bond offering will fund a series of key initiatives to advance PepsiCo’s sustainability agenda, it says.

Readers name their favorite beverage of October

The readers of Beverage Industry know a champion when they see one. For the Readers’ Choice: New Product of the Month Poll for October, the monthly champion in no stranger to a winning playbook.

Mississippi River Distilling Cody Road

Distilled less than a mile from the birthplace of the infamous Buffalo Bill Cody, Mississippi River Distilling announces the release of its Cody Road whiskey and bourbon series, which is made one 30-gallon barrel at a time using a pre-prohibition aging process to create its signature flavor.

Victory Brewing opens new brewery, taproom
Downingtown, Pa.-based Victory Brewing Co. is expanding its footprint to downtown Philadelphia.

Drizly highlights Gen Z’s beverage alcohol shopping habits
The study found that digitally native Gen Z purchases alcohol from local liquor stores more often than their millennial, Gen X and baby boomer counterparts.

PATRÓN Tequila opens aged barrel room
PATRÓN Tequila officially opened the doors to the Francisco Alcaraz Barrel Room, which is two times the size of the current barrel room.

Scheid Vineyards provides 6-month update
Revenues for the 2nd quarter of fiscal 2020 increased to $18.7 million, from $16.7 million for the same period in the second quarter of fiscal 2019.

NBWA highlights strengthening beer market at 82nd Convention
NBWA) hosted its Annual Convention and Trade Show, Sept 22-25 in Las Vegas, bringing beer distributors together from across the country.

7-Eleven adds voice-ordering to 7NOW delivery service

7-Eleven Inc., Irving, Texas, continues to redefine convenience retailing with the launch of 7Voice, which allows customers to place an order through its 7NOW delivery app via the voice-controlled Google Home and Amazon Echo systems.

Molson Coors forges new partnership with L.A. Libations

Molson Coors, Chicago, and L.A. Libations, El Segundo, Calif., announced a multiyear partnership that includes a significant minority equity investment by Molson Coors in L.A. Libations as well as category-exclusive access to the company's services. Molson Coors also will hold two seats on the L.A. Libations board.

Cott Corp., DS Services America acquire The Water Guy

Cott Corp., Toronto and Tampa, Fla., announced that DS Services of America Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Cott, substantially acquired all of the assets of WG America Co. and certain affiliated companies: The Water Guy.

Anheuser-Busch to buy remaining shares of CBA

Craft Brew Alliance (CBA). Portland, Ore., and Anheuser-Busch (A-B), a subsidiary of Leuven, Belgium-based Anheuser-Busch InBev, jointly announced an agreement to expand their partnership, with A-B agreeing to purchase the remaining CBA shares it does not already own in a merger transaction for $16.50 a share, in cash.

Pepsi launches Sparkling Rosé at BravoCon

Pepsi, a brand of Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo Inc., is teaming up with Bravo to introduce Pepsi Sparkling Rosé, a zero-calorie, Rosé-flavored cola that’s a light and bubbly take on the popular wine, without the alcohol. 

Good Culture launches digestive health shots

Good Culture, Irvine, Calif., launched its Wellness Probiotic Gut Shots. A new category for Good Culture, the USDA organic shots combine the probiotics within cultured kefir with functional ingredients like turmeric, matcha, chaga and collagen.

Danone Waters of America adds Ferrarelle to portfolio

Danone Waters of America, White Plains, N.Y., announced that it will sell, distribute and merchandise Ferrarelle, an Italian sparkling natural mineral water, in the United States as of January 2020. The long-term master distribution agreement will focus on building the brand in the United States and includes Ferrarelle glass formats through on-premise channels.

Medalla Light debuts anniversary packaging

Medalla Light is celebrating its 40th anniversary by reaffirming its commitment to Puerto Rican art and culture.

Pack Expo breaks records
The tradeshow featured a variety of exhibitors for the beverage market.