Market Watch March 2015

Sophistication has been a byword of the Miami scene for some time, and this vibrant market continues to evolve. So many big names in the culinary world have planted their flag there—including Michael Mina, Jean-Georges Vongerichten and José Andrés, to name just a few. Now, with a thriving array of cocktail bars rising to critical acclaim, the city’s mixology culture is as exciting as anywhere in the country. The appeal of craft cocktails is carrying over into all facets of Miami’s food and beverage scene. Wine, of course, has kept pace with this growing sophistication, raising its profile in the on- and off-premise, and many venues are pushing the envelope with diversified, often esoteric offerings. The city now even has its own craft beer industry, with a number of recent…

Stoli Group Taps New CEO....In effort to consolidate gains for Stolichnaya vodka and expand the company’s foot-print through acquisitions, Luxembourg-based Stoli Group has promoted Robert Cullins to CEO from his previous role as global commercial director at parent company SPI Group. Val Mendeleev, who had been serving in dual CEO roles at Stoli Group and SPI Group, remains the parent company’s CEO. In addition, John Esposito has been promoted to chairman of the company’s U.S. subsid-iary, Stoli Group USA, from his previous role as president and has also been added to the Stoli Group board. He was tapped to run Stoli Group USA in early 2013, following Stoli vodka’s departure from William Grant & Sons USA. The brand grew 6 percent to 1.6 million cases in 2014, according to Impact…

Beer Sommelier Italian brewer Pietro Fontana has written a new book that provides an in-depth look at the world’s beer styles and brewing processes. The 232-page tome ($39.95) features chapters on the origins of beer, how it’s made, serving techniques and beer-producing countries, from the United States to Belgium. The coffee table–size hardcover also includes full-color photography by Fabio Petroni and 24 recipes by chef Giovanni Ruggieri that perfectly pair beer with food. For more informa-tion, visit Sterlingpublishing.com. Oak Infusion Spiral Avon, Minnesota–based The Barrel Mill has introduced a smaller version of its Oak Infusion Spiral that allows bartenders and home brewers to easily add barrel-aged flavor, color and aroma directly to 750-ml. bottles of spirits or beer. Each spiral is made from premium American white oak, spiral cut to…

Local Beers Shine At San Francisco Arcade-Themed Bar Combining the best elements of an old-fashioned arcade and a modern beer bar, Brewcade opened in December on San Francisco’s bustling Market Street. The venue is operated by the team behind the nearby venue Blackbird and features 25 craft beers on tap, highlighting local producers like Anchor Steam, Fort Point and Almanac ($4 to $9 a draft pour). Though San Francisco–based brewers get top bidding, the bar features several beers made outside the Bay Area too, as well as a selection of wines on draft ($8) and carbonated cocktails ($9 to $10). Blackbird bartender Matt Grippo crafted the drinks menu, which includes selections like the Brewcade Aperitif ($9), blending Aperitivo Cappelletti Americano Rosso, Graham’s Fine Ruby Port and water, and the Grape…

Aiming to turn a little into a lot, Grain Spirits + Food opened in Midtown Atlanta in December with a focus on craft cocktails. The venue boasts several Bourbons and other whis-kies, small-batch beers and wines, and upscale bar bites, including oysters and mac and cheese. Featuring a firehouse theme and 30 beer taps, Hook and Ladder is an old-school bar with a friendly vibe. The venue opened in December in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood with a menu of craft beers from around the country, including local Goose Island labels. The bar also offers a variety of shots and bomb-style drinks and a handful of wines by the glass. The beer haven Small Brewpub opened in December in Dallas’s Oak Cliff neighborhood, pouring a rotating roster of six beers made…

Michael Mina Channels Paris At Las Vegas Brasserie Chef Michael Mina unveiled Bardot Brasserie at the Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas in January. A modern interpretation of the traditional French brasserie, the restaurant offers Parisian fare and a drinks menu that includes wines from Burgundy, Bordeaux, Alsace, and the Rhône and Loire valleys. The concept serves contempory cuisine like escargot in puff pastry shells, a French onion soup with truffle and braised oxtail, foie gras, steak frites, and a variety of seafood dishes (entrées are $23 to $56). The restaurant lists Old and New World wines, boasting more than 25 glass pours ($11 to $40) and 700 bottles ($60 to $250 a 750-ml. bottle on average), along with roughly 70 craft beers and ciders, including imported labels like…