Innehållsförteckning för December 2022 från Market Watch

Our annual Blue Chip Brands list is out once again, and as usual it contains some remarkable growth stories. One qualification for a brand making the list is to have ten consecutive years of volume growth, and what I love to do is look at the volume for each brand from a decade ago. Those numbers are on the charts for the story, and this year’s benchmark is 2011. Some of these brands were relatively small back then, and have since grown up to become multi-million case players in the space of a decade. Small brand owners, take note: you too can see your dreams of glory come true with a patient, slow, and steady build. Some Blue Chips are not even Hot Brands. Instead, they’re all about long term…

Fuji Whisky 30-Year-Old Single Grain Japan’s Fuji Whisky has launched its 30-year-old single grain whisky in the U.S. The 46% abv whisky ($3,000 a 700-ml.) is distilled from grain in a style similar to Canadian whiskies before maturing in used American oak for between 30 and 40 years before bottling. Fuji’s 30-year-old single grain whisky carries a suggested price of $3,000 a 700-ml. and only 100 bottles will come to the U.S. this year. The rare whisky joins Fuji’s flagship single grain whisky, which launched in the U.S. last year for around $95 a bottle. For more information, visit Fujiwhisky.com. Jack Daniel’s Twice Barreled Special Release American Single Malt Finished in Oloroso Sherry Casks Brown-Forman’s Jack Daniel Distillery is introducing a 100% malted barley grain bill for the first time…

While summer may be the key volume season for beer sales, the arrival of winter brings the opportunity for retailers to stock festive, high-margin brews that lend themselves to gift-giving occasions. “Winter and holiday beers deliver on the consumer desire for seasonal flavors and limited-time offerings,” says Angela Knotts, director of brand marketing at Anchor Brewing Co., who notes they also bring a spirit of anticipation at retail. The San Francisco-based brewery’s Christmas ale is a good example of a year-end release that sparks excitement among beer lovers. This year marks the 49th edition of Christmas ale—with each release different from the year before—and according to brewmaster Tom Riley, demand for the beer has spread far and wide from its California home. “There’s always anticipation for Christmas ale from consumers,…

Deutsch Family Enters Tequila….Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits is taking aim at the fast-growing upscale Tequila category with a new deal to handle the Cantera Negra brand. Deutsch Family is acquiring a partial ownership stake in Cantera Negra from owner Two Sons Imports LLC, and will become the exclusive global sales and marketing partner to the brand. Financials were not disclosed. Cantera Negra, which is Spanish for “Black Quarry,” has distribution in 28 states and is growing quickly, having shipped 20,000 cases in the 12 months through September, Deutsch says. The business was founded more than four decades ago by Don Alberto Becherano, who continues to produce the range with his son, Dan. Cantera Negra takes its name from the black volcanic rock found in the soil of the agave…

The bar well of today is absolutely nothing like its predecessors. Once relegated to low-cost, low-quality spirits, the well has moved firmly upscale. This premium push is coinciding with the demand for higher-quality spirits in cocktails overall, and it’s supported by bartenders across the industry who delight in serving top-notch drinks even when their guests don’t call for specific brands. “The bar well has changed dramatically over the years,” says Milos Zica, partner and beverage director at the restaurant and bar Fandi Mata in Brooklyn, New York. “Back in the day, bars had fake lime juice, gun soda with corn syrup, and juices filled with artificial flavor and sugar. But these days, we use fresh ingredients—fresh-squeezed lime and lemon juice, agave syrup or stevia, freshly squeezed grapefruit, orange, and pineapple.…

After declining in 2020—when the Covid-19 pandemic shuttered many of its key occasions—Champagne roared back in the U.S. last year, achieving a new all-time high of 1.89 million case depletions on 25% growth, according to Impact Databank. In addition to the pandemic, the Champagne business was hurt in 2020 due to stockpiling by U.S importers the previous year amid threatened tariffs on the category. But 2021’s performance showed that while challenges remain in terms of the supply chain and allocation issues in various markets, consumer demand for bubbly is riding as high as ever. Last year, Champagne’s export value to the U.S. soared 58% to €793 million ($838 million) on shipments that were up 64% to 2.8 million cases, as the category far outperformed fellow European sparklers Prosecco and Cava.…

Off-Premise News: Drizly Adds Shipping Options E-commerce platform Drizly has expanded its services, adding new shipping options, an increased focus on gifting, and a refreshed look for the company’s website and app. Over the next few months, these updates will roll out to users as the company—which was acquired last year by Uber for $1.1 billion—makes a push beyond on-demand delivery. The changes include a new guided shopping feature for selecting gifts, shipping options across 27 states, and an expansion to the company’s bartending service, which has added 10 new markets. In addition, Drizly has partnered with ad agency Party Land to create 30-and 15-second ads to run on TV, social, and digital channels, among others, and updated its visual identity. Distributor News: RNDC Acquires Final 50% Of Young’s Republic…

Beam Suntory has named new leadership for its North America region. Greg Hughes, currently president of North America, and Jessica Spence, currently president of brands, will swap roles effective January 1. As president of North America, Spence will be responsible for leading commercial operations in the region that includes the company’s largest and most profitable market, the U.S. Spence joined Beam Suntory in 2019 as president of brands, where she has established and led the company’s global brands organization. Prior to Beam Suntory, Spence served as executive vice president and chief commercial officer for the Carlsberg Group, overseeing the company’s global marketing, sales, insights, R&D, and innovation functions. Hughes will become chief brands and growth officer, leading Beam Suntory’s global brands organization and spearheading growth initiatives including route to market…

Every job Matthew Korzelius has had has been in food and beverage, starting with his first one at Burger King in high school. But he didn’t truly become a part of the hospitality industry—or even begin to understand the difference—until he got behind the bar when he was nearly 30 years old. “I started learning the ropes at a cocktail bar in downtown Buffalo, New York and a neighborhood bar and restaurant near Niagara Falls around 2012,” he says. “That’s when I caught the hospitality bug.” Shortly after, Korzelius moved to Wilmington, North Carolina to begin a four-year stint at Manna, where he created cocktail menus while still learning the ins and outs of bartending. “But I knew I wanted to try my hand in a bigger city, and Austin,…