While attending the University of Vermont from 2004 to 2007, Andy Jones took notice of the impact that craft beer was having on the U.S. market. However, when he returned home to Washington, D.C., the presence of brands was inconsistent to what he had been accustomed to in Vermont.
Premium spirits company Milestone Brands LLC, Austin, Texas, announced the acquisition of American Born Moonshine from Nashville, Tenn.-based Windy Hill Spirits. Milestone Brands LLC, which also recently acquired Dulce Vida Tequila, was formed in February by Eric Dopkins, former chief executive officer of Deep Eddy Vodka, and Chad Auler, co-founder of Deep Eddy Vodka.
Delicato Family Vineyards, Manteca, Calif., announced that it has acquired the historic Santa Lucia Highlands vineyard estate long known to locals as River Road Vineyard from Monterey's McFarland family. The purchase of the 243 acres will strengthen Delicato Family Vineyards' presence in California's leading appellations, including Monterey, Lodi and Napa Valley, the company says.
Virginia craft brewery among the fastest growing in the state
April 12, 2016
St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch, a division of Anheuser-Busch InBev, announced an agreement to acquire Roseland, Va.-based Devils Backbone Brewing Co., a leading and fast-growing craft brewery in Virginia.
Investment brings DPS ownership stake to 15.5 percent of the sports drink brand
April 4, 2016
Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc. (DPS), Plano, Texas, announced that it has increased its equity investment in Beverly Hills, Calif.-based BA Sports Nutrition LLC, owner of BodyArmor, a line of premium sports drinks. An additional $6 million stake will build on the initial $20 million investment announced in August 2015 and raises DPS's ownership position from 11.7 percent to 15.5 percent, the company says.
Ingredient suppliers announce certifications, new appointments
March 15, 2016
The National Honey Board, Firestone, Colo., released results from an independent consumer research survey that found that 93 percent of consumers consider honey a “natural” sweetener, and 48 percent of those consumers say they look for product labels that include honey, the association says.
Innovation and exploration, those are the influences behind the plethora of craft beers and spirits that Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits develops, Chief Commercial Officer Earl Kight says.
Whether it’s the tortoise and the hare, David versus Goliath or small-market sports teams versus large-market franchises, many Americans have a soft spot for the “little” guy. The same could be said for the U.S. beer market in this year's beer report. According to Chicago-based Mintel’s January 2016 report “Beer – US,” craft beer’s market share of U.S. volume sales nearly doubled from 2010 to 2015 — 5.2 percent vs. 10.2 percent, respectively.
Current global beverage business conditions have had a significant impact on operating and capital budgets in all industry segments, including the supply chain. Why has this occurred? What has actually happened? How has the industry addressed the results from the changing conditions? What suggestions might be appropriate and helpful?