Market Watch March 2024

It’s been a long tradition that beer distribution operated separately from that for spirits and wine—sometimes because of regulation, or because the business models were far too different, or simply because of tradition. But much has changed over the years: Beer wholesalers, in searchof higher-margin products for the back of the truck, increasingly have been looking at other alcoholic beverages. Last year the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) polled its members to ask what share of their sales derived from beer: the result was 80%. When asked what they expect it to be within five years, the answer was 71%. That’s a key reason why NBWA has quietly changed its tagline to “America’s Beer & Beverage Distributors,” to include all drinks types. In some cases, notably in control states, wine…

RNDC E-commerce Platform Reaches $800 Million… Republic National Distributing Co. (RNDC) saw online sales through the eRNDC e-commerce platform reach $800 million in annual sales and $1.7 billion in lifetime sales in 2023. The platform saw 32% year-over-year growth in the number of monthly active customers. The e-commerce site now reaches customers in 21 states and features more than 6,700 brands “A large and growing number of our customers are now embracing B2B e-commerce as a complementary vehicle to engage with us,” said RNDC president and CEO Nick Mehall. “eRNDC has demonstrated significant market adoption over the past twelve months.” In terms of recent trends on eRNDC, the company noted that searches for luxury, super-premium, and ultrapremium spirits have continuously trended up, while Champagne, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and…

San Francisco: Alora Explores Mediterranean Fare, Creative Drinks Situated on the waterfront in San Francisco’s Embarcadero district, Alora opened in January with a menu that showcases Mediterranean fare prepared with marketdriven California ingredients, as well as imaginative cocktails inspired by Greek and European mythology. The venue’s drinks program was created in partnership with local consultancy Manhattan Zodiac. Specialty offerings include the Love And Romance, comprising Bodegas Hidalgo La Gitana Amontillado Sherry, Giffard Crème de Cacao liqueur, Brucato Chaparral and ancho chile-infused Averna amaros, and Angostura bitters, and the Neptune’s Journey, blending Redwood Empire Bourbon, Old Monk rum, and Torres brandy with Nonino L’Aperitivo and Mathilde Poire and Mr. Black Coffee liqueurs (cocktails are $16-$22). Alora highlights European and California wines as well, boasting a list of more than 100 labels…

Bruichladdich Eighteen & Thirty Rémy Cointreau-owned Bruichladdich Distillery has launched The Bruichladdich Eighteen and The Bruichladdich Thirty as part of the Islay single malt Scotch whisky’s new Luxury Redefined range. The newcomers mark the first of the brand’s permanent high-agestatement whiskies. The Thirty ($2,000 a 750-ml.) was bottled at 43.2% abv, while the Eighteen ($180) was bottled at 50% abv, with both matured exclusively in ex-Bourbon casks. The Bruichladdich Eighteen and Thirty are available at specialty whisky retailers. For more information, visit Bruichladdich.com. Macallan Tales of The Macallan Volume II The Macallan, part of the Edrington portfolio, has released Tales of The Macallan Volume II, a 1949 vintage single malt bottled in 2022. The launch pays tribute to Alexander Reid, founder of The Macallan, as the brand marks its 200th…

For consumers conscious about image, spirits branding is hugely important. The days of guests simply asking for a Rum and Coke or Vodka Soda are gone, as drinkers instead are being very specific with their spirits requests. This is true in simple mixed drinks but also for specialty menu cocktails, as many guests make choices based solely on the spirits brands listed on the menu. In the hospitality business, this means bartenders are working with increasingly knowledgeable and opinionated customers who know what they want and aren’t afraid to ask for it. In San Diego, Beau du Bois sees guests being brand specific most often with vodka, whisk(e)y, and Tequila. As the vice president of bar and spirits for the restaurants Marisi and Puesto Mexican Artisan Kitchen & Bar, he…

Last year the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) surveyed its members on what percentage of their total portfolio comprised traditional beer. The response was 80%. Then, when asked what they expected that share to be in five years, the answer was 71%. Times are certainly changing for America’s beer wholesalers. “Most of our members are diversified in some shape or form,” says NBWA president and CEO Craig Purser, noting that virtually all members carry some type of non-alcohol product. “But most recently, beer wholesalers are increasingly diversifying into wine and spirits.” The moves, he adds, are “not unlike those of their suppliers.” Indeed, three years ago, NBWA itself changed its tagline to “America’s Beer & Beverage Distributors.” As with all aspects of the drinks business, beer distributor involvement in the…